With her lamp of learning in her hand, Quanna Boyd of Meridian waits her turn as other graduates receive their pins during Meridian Community College’s Practical Nursing Program pinning celebration held Friday morning in the Temple Theater. The pinning ceremony was one of three MCC events held Friday as the Fall 2015 semester came to a close.

    Approximately 200 students received their associate degrees and certificates when Meridian Community College held its annual fall commencement services at the Temple Theater Friday afternoon.

    Also during the graduation, seven outstanding graduates were selected as members of the Circle of Excellence. These graduates were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.

     Named were Amber Lynn Truhitt of Union; Kelly Sue Goszkowicz of Meridian; Alfreida Yolanda Hawthorn of Jackson; Crystal Toole of Meridian; Katherine Elva Searcy of Little Rock; Heather Brooke McCrory of Philadelphia; and Sarah Harris of Meridian.

     Truhitt, a graduate of the University Transfer Program, plans to attend University of Mississippi Medical Center and pursue a career as a pediatric occupational therapist.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honor society for community and junior college students; and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) while attending MCC.

    Goszkowicz is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.  She plans to further her education at Mississippi University for Women to pursue a bachelor of science/nursing degree.  Goszkowicz’s career goal is to become a family nurse practitioner in rural Mississippi.  She is a member Phi Theta Kappa, Organization of Student Nurses and Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society.  While attending MCC, Kelly has maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

    Hawthorn is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.  Her career goal is to become a nurse anesthetist.  She is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses.

    Toole is a graduate of the University Transfer Program.  She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a career as an accountant. Toole is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was named to the Dean’s List.

    Searcy is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.  She plans to attend either the University of Southern Mississippi or Mississippi University for Women to pursue a career as a surgery or oncology nurse.  Searcy would like to continue her education and obtain a master of science in nursing and become a healthcare administrator.   She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Nursing Honor Society vice president, and a recipient of the Elizabeth Riley Scholarship.

    McCrory is also a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program. She plans to further her education and obtain a master’s in nursing from Mississippi University for Women.  McCrory’s career goal is to become a nurse practitioner.  She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Organization of Student Nurses, and Nursing Honor Society.

    Harris is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program.  Her career goal is to become an acute care or long-term care nurse.  She plans to attend Mississippi University for Women and pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Harris is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Practical Nursing Student Organization, Health Occupations Students of America, National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, and is on the Dean’s List.

    Candidates for graduates included: Jesse Leon Pringle of Bailey; Autumn Nicole James of Bay Springs; Libria Rena Butler of Bolton; Whitney Sierra Henley of Brooksville; Breanna K. Vaughn of Choctaw; Josue Gonzalez and Martha Lynn Haguewood, both of Chunky; Andrea Cristina Felton, Andrea Letitia Banks, Chelsea Cierra Moore, Haley Victoria Reed, Lyndsie Fountain Carmichael, Morgan Ann Miller, Morgan B. Haskins, and Pete A. Rivera, all of Collinsville; Laken Molliann Willis of Conehatta; Jalessa Breshae Jones, Michael A. Hicks, Ricardio S. Rush and Ronquel DeMaries Bohannon, all of DeKalb; Billy J. Waltman, Dominic Koorn and Hayley Brooke Fox, all of Enterprise; April Latrice Jones of Flowood; Carolyn Keeton, Christina Marie White, Karen Lynn Poole, Samantha Kaye McDaniel and Stephanie Alyse Woods, all of Forest;

    Ashley Nicole Whittington and Madison A. Hearn, all of Gilbertown, Ala.; Chiara Gressett of Heidelberg; Benjamin Lin McMinn of Hernando; Arkevia R. Raimey of Holly Springs; Alfreida Yolanda Hawthorn, Amanda Welch, Casele Denise Johnson, Kimberly Hawthorn Duplessis, Kristen Denise Snell and Stephanie Nicole Bowen, all of Jackson; Brittan L. Bland, Christina Nicole Pugh, Courtney Suzanne Sullivan, Elizabeth Marie Powers, Kyisha D. Houston and Whiney Danielle Sellers, all of Lauderdale; Parker Stringer of Laurel; Caleb Tyler Leach, Jesica A. Estes, Katherine Elva Searcy and Thresa Marie Jones, all of Little Rock; Eunice Charlene Wheeler and Madison L. Mills, both of Louisville; Rebbie S. Windham of Macon; Brittney Jade Breithaupt of Madison; Lisa Yvette Johnson of Mendenhall;

     Aaron T. Butler, Abigail Marie Smith, Adrienne Briana Harford, Alana Teiera Murrel, Alex Nicolas Coleman, Alfred James Wright, Amanda Danielle Richardson, Angela Shantel Chaney, Anna Catherine Gibson, Ashlee Nicole Onyia, Ashley Latham Reiter, Ashley M. Burkeen, Ashley Nicole Peden, Atasia Lewis, Betty J. Johnson, Bradi Jo Braddock, Brittany Nicole Taylor, Carlos P. McKinnis, Chelsie Lynn Reid, Christena M. Bradley, Christina Kathryn Benson, Christina Rochelle Gaddis, Christopher Ryan Reed, Crystal Toole, Cyenthia Gant Gressett, Danielle E. Williams, Demetrius L. Goodwin, Derrick D. Brewster, Dessarie Maretta Johnson, Diane Amos, Doretta M. Greer, Ebonie L. Goree, Eric Jimenez, Erica Sheree Smith, Eugene Griffin, Freshundra Michelle Patrick, Hayleigh Danielle Gary, Henry Charles Gibbs, Henry Minh Pham, Iann Louis Trejo, Jabria Hopkins, Jace L. Weaver, James A. Berry, James Allen Alsobrooks, Janet Farrow Parret, Jasmine Nicole Collins, Jazman Renee Graves, Jennifer Lynn Parker, Jeremy Terrell Lewis, Jerri Rene’e Thomas, Jodi Marie Pope, Johniqua Terriosha Hopkins, Joy E. McCraney, Kamesha Tesha Pringle, Keisha L. Bobbitt, Kelly Sue Goszkowicz, Kelsey Creel, Kenneth James Napierkowski, Khadi Moneek Christine Jones, Kimberly Marie Yates, Kimberly Ann Briggs, Kimberly McClelland, La’Bresha A. Brown, LaSandra S. Rhone, LaToya Dawn Kelley, Lashundra Keoshua Grady, Latarsha L. Watkins, Latisha Latrelle Edwards, Lauren Olivia Taylor, Marcus DeShun Chess, Michael G. Hubbard, Naketha NaChae Andrews, Rachel V. Owens, Raymond E. Drake, Romonz D. Doss, Roshunda King, Sarah Ann Harris, Shaquanta R. Boyd, Sharald Santonio Thedford, Shavon Arlene Porter, Sherquilya Monique Sillimon, T’Shiba L. Molphus, Tabitha Hopson, Tammy Strickland May, Teneish M. Smith, Tavaris Latron Thomas, Taylor Michelle Stokes, Terica Ariele’ Smith, Tiffany Dawn Peevyhouse, Tiffany Gabriell Hopson, Tocarra Denise Smith, Tonya Shaneka Phillips, Trenton Johnson, Tyson P. Ethridge, Vidal Hubbard, Wayne Levi Wedgeworth, William G. Harrison, and Willie Edd Griggs, all of Meridian;

    Victoria Ann Hodge of Morton; Christi Michelle McCoy of Neely; Paris Deonna Evans, Pearletha Crawford and Tuarze R. Fountain all of Newton; Heather Lynn Cooley of Pachuta; Frank Hutton of Pearl; Carrie Ann Bullock of Petal; Alena Sherrell Wash, Amie Michele Winstead, Ashley Renee Miles, Blake Ryan Gordon, Corie M. Williamson, Heather Brooke McCrory, James Sid Whitehead and Taylor Donald Winstead, all of Philadelphia; Aprile B. Botello, Jeraco Smith, Joshua Cannon, David Matthew Harrison and Skyla Lashaun Sumrall, all of Quitman;

    Erin Faith Byram of Sebastopol; Dee Whigham, Howard Kelley Brashier and Leola Michelle Charles, both of Shubuta; Gina Thompson of Silas, Ala.; Madyson Lee of Stonewall; Jereshia Rayenna Adams, Kateisha Hubbard, Kierra Grady and Lakisha Monique Morgan, all of Toomsuba; Jesse Galen Clock of Tupelo; Allison Page Rawson, Amber Lynn Truhitt, Barbara Holiday, Candice C. Gore and Carol Lee Huggins, all of Union; Tyesha Cooley of Vossburg; Ashleigh N. Hoover, Grenetta Sharnise Pace, LaDoanna Marie Dueitt and Lori Diane Rush, all of Waynesboro; and DeeAnna Lachelle Bell and Shawntrell Latoria Turner, both of York, Ala.