MCC Culinary Arts Technology Program Coordinator and Instructor An Howard Hill, left, assists Ira Allen in cutting vegetables for an on-campus dining event.

MCC hosts Fall 2014 graduation ceremony

    Meridian Community College student Ira Allen’s walk across the Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts stage Friday evening marked a first for him.

    Allen, a resident of Quitman, received his associate of applied science degree in Culinary Arts Technology; he joined more than 200 receiving their degrees and certificates from MCC at the completion of the Fall Semester 2014.

    “I spent nearly 25 years in the Army,” he said, in a myriad of roles ranging from combat engineer to drill instructor to investigator. Along life’s way, he also garnered a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies.

    “I was deployed, so I didn’t get to walk across the stage to get my diploma for my bachelor’s degree,” he said.

    Upon retiring a few years ago, Allen knew he wanted more. “With my military background, I have to stay busy,” he said.

    There his passion for cooking blended with life experiences. “Cooking is also a form of ministry – reaching and communicating with people,” he said. “I also have a house full of boys and they like to eat,” he added jokingly.

    “I looked at programs  – cooking schools in New Orleans and Atlanta – and then someone told me MCC was starting a new culinary program and suggested I try that,” Allen said. Thanks to his military background, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill opportunities to fund his culinary studies.

    Crediting instructors An Howard Hill, Culinary Arts Technology, and Mark Chandler, Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology, Allen is spreading the word about the value of his culinary education. “No matter what goes on in the world, there will always be a demand for chefs and cooks.

    “It’s up to you,” Allen said, adding, “The sky’s the limit.”

    Also during the ceremony, Allen was one of 10 outstanding graduates who were saluted as they were inducted into the College’s Circle of Excellence. The other MCCers included Thomas Stuart Frank, Ashley Jordan, Sarah Wright, Shelia Lee, Emily Willis, Tyler Anthony, Travis Ward, Juan Dae L. Allen and Angela Rose Figueroa.

    These graduates were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.

    Frank, of Watertown, N.Y., is a graduate of the University Transfer Program with emphasis in business management. He plans to further his education at Mississippi State University or enter MCC’s nursing program. His career goal is to be a registered nurse and a quality manager. Frank is a member of MCC’s Nu Upsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society, and Lockheed Martin Diversity Council. He is involved in church activities at St. Patrick Catholic Church and fundraising activities with the Lockheed Martin Diversity Council.

    Jordan, of Meridian, is a graduate of the University Transfer Program. She plans to attend University Medical Center and specialize in occupational therapy.  Jordan is a Sunday school teacher and a volunteer at Love’s Kitchen and East Mississippi Animal Rescue.  She attends First Presbyterian Church and currently works at the Rush Rehab Department.

    Wright, from Meridian, is a graduate of the University Transfer program. Her major field of study is secondary education with a concentration in math education.  She plans to transfer to Mississippi State University. Her career goal is to teach at the high school and community college levels to encourage and inspire students to have a passion for their education. Wright has maintained a 4.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 scale, is a member of PTK, MCC’s Honors College and Baptist Student Union. She is a member of Jones Chapel Church of God and a volunteer at Love’s Kitchen, Fisher House and Northeast Elementary School.

    Ira E. Allen’s career goal is to become a successful catering business owner and own a sandwich/deli shop. He is a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and has been on the President’s List. Allen is a volunteer at Love & Peas Community Garden and Love’s Kitchen. He is a volunteer with outreach ministry, a church custodian and an assistant cook for church. He is dad to seven children.

    Lee, from Louisville, is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program. She is a member of Health Occupations of America (HOSA) and the Practical Nursing Student Organization. Lee is a member of Good Hope Baptist Church, a volunteer with Love’s Kitchen and the Salvation Army, and is the mom of four children and six grandchildren.

    Willis, of Meridian, and is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing and eventually further her career as a nurse anesthetist.  Willis is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses (OSN), PTK, Associate Degree Nursing Student Focus Group and has been on the President’s List.  She has served the community through her volunteer efforts with Relay for Life, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, and a fundraiser for Blair Batson Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

    Anthony, of Scooba, is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. His career goal is also to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and eventually become a nurse anesthetist.  Anthony is a member of PTK, OSN and ADN Student Nurses.  He is a member of United Methodist Binnsville Church and a volunteer with Operation Christmas Child.  Anthony has been a fundraiser for Blair Batson Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, Wheeling for Jesus, collected school supplies for elementary and middle school children, and canned food drives.

    Ward, of Meridian, is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program. He plans to continue his education and become a registered nurse. Travis is a member of HOSA and Practical Nurses Student Organization. He began the Practical Nursing program in the fall of 2013 as a dual credit student. Ward is a volunteer with Sta Home and the library at T.J. Harris Elementary.

    Juan Dae Allen, of Quitman, is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program interested in pursuing a career in the mental health and medical surgical nursing fields.  Juan Dae is the president of OSN, a member of the MCC Nursing Public Relations Committee and PTK and a member of Enterprise Baptist Church.  Juan Dae has served as a volunteer and/or a fundraise with Wheeling for Jesus, Operation Christmas Child, Blair Batson Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, canned food drives, and collected school supplies for elementary and middle school children.

    Figueroa, of Little Rock, is a graduate of the University Transfer Program where her major field of study was kinesiology. She plans to further her education at Mississippi State University and pursue a career as a strength and conditioning coach or athletic trainer as well as coach a softball team at the collegiate level.  Figueroa is a member of PTK. While attending MCC, she served as a volunteer coach for the Lady Eagles Softball team and a volunteer coach for Leake County High.

    Candidates for graduation included:

     Alexus T. Hunt, Frances Polston, Hunter Cherylyn Claire Anthony, Kay King, Lawrence W. Pace and Michael C. Meltonm all of Bailey; Brittany Davis of Bay Springs; Vincent Payne II of Biloxi; Erica Bridwell of Brookhaven; Candace Chanelle Arnold of Butler, Ala.; Abby Novak, Alexis C. Culpepper, Aque’la Adrienna Williams, Chelsea Herrington, Cristy Seal, Destiny Buck, Kendra Brown, Mathew Herrington, Shelby L. Bowden and Zacchaeus Cole, all of Colllinsville;

     Taylor D. Jones of Crawford; JaQuaela LeNee’ Bailey; Rachel Harbour, Shaneka Wiggins and Sharon R. O’Neal, all of DeKalb; Courtney Sullivan, Joni Bryant and Linda C. Irby, all of Enterprise; Jeremy C. Spivey and Jomiski L. Nelson, both of Forest; Eva C. Coody of Gilbertown, Ala.; Marcie Peden of Gulfport; Samantha Keara Cole of Hattiesburg; Antionette D. Young, Erica Ross and Nikki Allen; all of Heidelburg;

     Daryin Pryor of Holly Springs; Kimberly Gooseberry of Jackson; Angelina W. Smith, Brittany D. Dunlap, Courtney Rivers and Keyahda Body, all of Kosciusko; Jason Gibbs and Shannon Evans, both of Lake; Samantha B. Dutton and TyKedra Rush, both of Lauderdale; Ashley Wu of Laurel; Kellee Michelle Still of Lawrence; Gabrielle Ann Tyson and Verbie T. Jones, both of Lisman, Ala.;

     Angela Rose Figueroa, Brittany Seymour, Joni Seale Boler, Laura E. Davis, Laura Goss and Lori Butts, all of Little Rock; Daneisha Ann Mills of Livingston, Ala.; Anthrony McDonald of Louin; Antinicka Harris, Christopher Eaves, Jessica Morgan Bryan and Shelia Lee, all of Louisville; Carneaka Brewer, Eboni M. Outlaw, Keyunna S. Paskel, Marteshia Bush and Natasha Brooks, all of Macon; Deirdre L. Coleman of Magee;

     Amanda Williams of Mclain; Addie Beatrice Lee, Alana Teiera Murrel, Arlisha Nicole Wright, Ashley Jordan, Austin Hicks, Balydia J. Shanks, Brittney L. Jolly, Calvin Demond Bennett, Candace M. Goodwin, Chasity Graham, Christina Crowe, Courtney L. Miller, Courtney Michele Glebe, Crystal Leigh Hogg, Danielle E. Dunkerson, Darekus Butler, David A. Rainey, Deandra S. Carter, Demetria A. Bryant-Brown, Demetria B. Gordon,

     Deneitris Rochelle Pringle, Deree M. Rogers, Edward Charles Fey, Elizabeth Grace, Emelyn Willis, Haley R. Pierce, Heather Renee Reed, Holly Marshall, Hope Boyd, Hytoyia Williams, Jacob Fraysur, James Stevens, Jamie N. Govan, Jessica Hoyt, Noel A. Harrison, John Quincy Grady, Joseph Scott Spears, Karen S. Williams, Keena Carpenter, Kenyatta Jones, Kristyn Renee Pack, Lajaunna M. Little, Latosha Hampton, Le’Zerrick Ward,

     Leslie S. Johnson, Linda Barret, Lynette Margaret Cockrell, Machelle Evans, Marcus A Gladney Sr., Marcus DeShun Chess, Maricela Zuniga-Alvarez, Marlana McCarter, Mary Sue Triplett, Melissa Gathright, Michael D. Tew, Monica Sherell Ivy, Mydesker Cole, Nefertiti Leggett, Phyllis Ford, Quentin Street, Rachel Elaine Collins, Rachel Perez, Rebecca Etheridge, Roddricous D. Goldsmith, Sabrina G Hopson, Sandra Lindsey Pope, Sarah C. Wright,

     Sarah Rowley Kitchens, Shanae Smith, Shannon Renee Dorman. Shaquille Zaucarka Burtler, Shawanda M. Harris, Sidnee Rhome, Tara Mitchell, Thomas Stuart Frank. Tiffany Melendez, Travis Gordonm Travis Ward, Tyneshia Washington, Victoria Clark, Walter L. Johnson, Wendy Alvarez, Wednes Pearson, William Boy’d, Yasmin Pringle and Zanquana Williams, all of Meridian; Amanda Jones, Eileen D. Foster and Latoria Blaylock,  all of Newton;

     Brandi Jo Carter of Noxapater; Eric D. Bridges of Pachuta; Allison Paig Rogers, Charmain Dawn Walker, Chase Fairchaild, Davian S. Thompson, Destini Williams, Hannah E. Stovall, Jeanie Allen, Jessie L. Foster, Kimberly Sanders, Mary-Kathryn Asbill, Mindy Fay Lewis, Shanna R. Hickman and Trisadee D. McMillian, all of Philadelphia; Adrian Murphy, Ashley Renee Downing, Dylan R. Burge, Heather Faircloth, Ira Alle, JaunDae L. Allen,

     Johnny L. Bourdeaux and Shimeka Robinson, all of Quitman; Christian Smith of Ridgeland, Meagan C. Lee, Sarah Alyson Anthony, and Tyler Alan Anthony; all of Scooba, Adam H. James and Delysia Sumerall, both of Shubuta; Daranecia Thompson of Shuqualak; R.C. McDuffey of Silver Creek; Montrise Bell Fair and Victoria E. Hogan, both of Starkville; Jasmine Clay, Lauren Ross Welch and Marvin A. Freeman, all of Toomsuba;

     Barbara Holiday and Stephanie Leigh Sullivan, both of Union; Domina Ben of Walnut Grove; Ginger Gill of West Point; Gimel Davis, Maiya Sturdivant and Taquesha Wilson, all of York, Ala., and Romeisha S. Ruttley  of Quitman.