By Ida Brown

ibrown@themeridianstar.com



As she sat on the Temple Theater stage Saturday morning waiting to receive her degree from Meridian Community College, Marsha E. Jones-Rush realized that this was the end – and the beginning.

“I thought about how much I’ve worked and studied these last few years and the hard work has paid off,” Rush said, clutching the case that will hold her diploma.

“But then I thought about what lies ahead for me,” said the education/psychology major. “And then I became even more excited because now that I’ve accomplished this goal, I’m able to move on to my next one.”

And that is working toward dual bachelor degrees in education and psychology at the University of West Alabama.

“Receiving my degree today is a wonderful Christmas present,” Rush said. “And then I’ll begin work to complete my education in the new year; I’m truly blessed.” More than 170 students walked across the Temple Theater stage to receive their certificates and degrees from MCC during the fall commencement. Despite requests to hold their applause and praise until all the graduates’ names were called, many members of the audience had trouble containing themselves.

“You did it girl! I love you!” was heard several times from the audience, while some quietly expressed their joy by standing as their graduate crossed the stage.

Before conferring the degrees, MCC President Scott Elliott praised the graduates for their accomplishments.

“With the economic challenges we face in the U.S. today, many people have learned that things can be taken away from you,” Elliott said. “But you have earned something today in a college degree. And that can never be taken away from you.”

Also during the ceremony, outstanding graduates were named to the Circle of Excellence.

Candidates for graduation include: Alisha C. Robinson of Bailey; Carrie Allen, Evan Henry Pickens, Hillary Espey, Josh Moore, Tiffany Ann Boatner, Tori Jordan Houston, all of Collinsville; Marsha E. Jones-Rush of Daleville; Corderick D. Burton, Dustin R. Speed, Guy Thaddeus Cobb, Jamie Dianne White, Shavica Silliman and Stacey M. Mabry, all of Lauderdale; Emily Francis Bryan, Laura Welch McDonald, Porschia Rena Christian, Reginald Horn and Shonda Reneese Lyons, all of Marion; 

  Alexander Martin, Alyssa Check, Amanda B. Crawford, Amber Lynn Slusher, Andrea Crockett, Antonio Y. Elliott, Ashley Jones, Ashley Nicole Jones, Ashley Nicole Poore, Ashley Nicole Prince, Brandon E. Pope, Brittani Grayer, Brittany Jo Griesser, Callie Keiuna McNeil, Carla Smith-Fortenberry, Catrina Marie Morton, Cheryl Michelle Jarman, Chris Martin, Courtney Sullivan, David G. Foster, Delisha Latrice McClelland, Desmen LeCardo Scott, Elesha M. Smith, Erika Latasha Cole, Francheska S. Brown, Gerri Lynn Mendenhall, Gloria Osby, Jacqueline R. Warren, Jalisa Tia Jones-Woods, Jay Christoffer Diamond, Joel S. Jones, Jonathan Tyler Barnett, Joshua Blake Clark, Kamario S. Granger, Kamario Sentell Granger, Karia S. Holt, Kathy D. McQuarters, Katina Lawson, Keisha C. Peevyhouse, Keyara Brown, Kim Loma Culpepper, Kristen Marie Ashmore, Kristen Price, Kristina N. Lewis, Krystal M. Ball, LaCrisha D. Winstead, LaKendra Sharda Spencer, LaQuanda Swinson, LaRita Bates, LaToya Bell, Lashassadee M. Lewis, Latoya S. White, Latresea L. Bell, Laura Jane Smith, Lonnie H. Eubanks Jr., Margene O. Davis, Marie Saxon Farr, Mark Anthony Thomas, Marsha A. Malmay, Marsha Malmay, Marshall Eldon Joyner Jr., Marshall Eldon Joyner Jr., Melissa Trost, NeKesha J. Gordon, NeKesha Johnnyette Gordon, Nieda Mae Jones, Priscilla Cole, Quenton Garner, Quintessa Rochelle Dyess, Rachel Selena Spencer, Robert A. Ward Jr., Robert Andrew Ward Jr., Robert E. Harris, Jr., Robert Jeffery Moore, Rosie Crowell, Rosie Marie Crowell, Sharonica S. Hill, Sheila K. Fairchild, Sonia Lynn Brown, Stacy McCommon Moffett, Stephen Chad Boteler, Tabatha Faye Ramey, Te’Meshia Men’ya Norris, Thomas Allen, Tina Shartara Jones, Tyreeka Ditricice Randolph and William Richard Hassenfratz, all of Meridian;

  Cindy Leigh Hattaway, Cynthia Faye Butts Crawford, Daniel Otho Hollinghead, Madgellynt C. Coppins and Terrell Lance Covington, all of Toomsuba;

  Angelica K. Craft of Bay Springs; Barbara McGee Alston of Rose Hill; Ginger Richardson, Jessica L. Hiatt, Kenneth J. Neese, Malachi Sanders, Pamela Deann Hambrick, Rachael LeAnn Mooney, Rachael LeAnn Smith and Stephanie Shantel Barr, all of Enterprise; Bessie Marie Ruttley, Doris Nicole Douglas, Hannah Lauren Grace Tibbetts, Heather Newburn, James O. Little III, Lora Meridith Carney, Mary E. Herrington and Sandra Latasha Watts, all of Quitman; Larissa Lewis and Tolynda Mozee, all of Shubuta; Krystal Lewis of Shubuta; Ashlie R. Pearson and Jennifer Stewart Davis, both of Stonewall; Frances D. Chandler of Pachuta; Latrice N. Rose of Heidelberg; Quanatia Ratoira Arrington of Vossburg;

  Dennis C. Adcox and Patsy Lynne Thraikill, both of Hickory; Lorna Shea Blackburn of Little Rock; Casey L. Cain and Chantell Todd, both of Union; Debra Faye Hutchins and Jordana Jones, both of Walnut Grove; Amber B. Garrison, Latachia Robinson, Toneshia Renea Parker and Unqurie Smith, all of Newton; Kristie Usry Callahan of Lake; Casey Renee Lancaster of Forest;

  Chrissy Baysinger, Daniel Staten Puckettm, Danita C. Willis, Erin Moody, Jordan Thompson, Marquitta A. Johnson, Marquitta A. Johnson, Megan L. Sanderson, Sarah Kirkus, Shani Miller, Teawanna D. McAlman and Walvisa Bester, all of Philadelphia; Trevor Allen Langston of Carthage; Reggie Nunn and Stephanie D. Blankenship, both of Louisville; Joel H. Lathan of Macon; Bianca Taylor of Columbus; Cowles Horton IV, of Courtland; Jennifer Leigh McCaffery and Kimberly D. McCaffery, both of Bogue Chitto;

  Christina Michelle Murphy, LaTasha Conitka Sterling, Terri A. Toler and Yalonda A. Strong, all of Jackson; Erin Nicole Washington, Nasrin Shaundria Redd and Victor Dewayne Jones, all of Brandon; Jessica Ivy Rawson of Hattiesburg; Daniel Kirk Heidelberg Jr. of Laurel; Angela Roshell Young of Belzoni;

  Andrea L. Jemison of Cuba, Ala., and TiQuencie Coleman Sr. of York, Ala.