Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarAshley David, left, Lesa Buckley and Logan Larkin relax as they await Meridian Community College's graduation ceremonies at the Temple Theater Friday. 

More than 200 Meridian Community College students received their diplomas or certificates Friday during fall commencement ceremonies at the Temple Theater in Meridian.

Eight students were selected for the Circle of Excellence, recognizing them on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service. That group included Ana Primeaux, Christopher Joel Thomas, Daleshia Lenea Leflore, Brelan Mikal Gardner, Hannah Caitlyn Roberts, Jerome Miller, Khadija Akala Easley and Carra Danielle Harwell.

Primeaux is a native of Brasov, Romania, and is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing program. She plans to continue her education at either Louisiana State University or the University of Southern Mississippi. Her career goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society, Organization of Student Nurses and NSCS.

Thomas is from Flowood and is also a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing program. He plans to attend Mississippi University for Women and pursue a bachelor of science degree in nursing. His career goal is to work as a registered nurse in cardiac care, surgery or dialysis specialty. Thomas’ long-range goal is to possibly work in hospice care. He is a member of PTK, Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society and OSN. Thomas is a registered respiratory therapist working part time at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and St. Dominick Memorial Hospital.

Leflore, a resident of Carthage, is a graduate of the Practical Nursing Program. She plans to attend Alcorn University where her goal is to earn a master’s in nursing and become a nurse educator. Leflore is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses Association and the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Association.

Gardner, a resident of Philadelphia, is a graduate of the Associate Degree Nursing Program who plans to further his education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is a member of PTK, Alpha Delta Nu and was named to the Dean’s and President’s list as well as being selected as the 2017 Veteran Freshman of the Year. He is active in the Air National Guard.

Roberts is from Daleville and is a graduate of the University Transfer Program with emphasis on criminal justice/forensics. She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi with the goal of obtaining a master’s degree in criminal justice. Roberts is a member of PTK.

Miller is from Brownsville, Tenn. He graduated from the Emergency Management and Communications Technology Program. Miller is active duty Navy, with six years of service, and hopes to retire from the Navy after 20 years of service. His long-range career goal is to become either a Federal Emergency Management Agency director, meteorologist or history teacher.

Easley is from Meridian and is a graduate of the University Transfer Program. She plans to continue her education at the University of West Alabama where she will pursue a degree in elementary education. Easley is a member of PTK and MCC’s Concert Choir.

Harwell is from Long Beach and is graduating from the University Transfer Program. She plans to attend Mississippi University for Women in the nursing program. Her goal is to work in the intensive care unit field. She is a member of PTK and was named to the President’s List.

Candidates for graduates included:

Tonya Burrell Austin, Savannah Lee Cottrill, Anna Evelyn Sisson, Courtney Taylor, Veronica Nicole Walters, Tina Marie Wright, Brittney Marie Payton-Parkman of Bassfield; Stephanie Nicole Dade, Anna Hicks Phillips, Carmen S. Ward, Kimbala Ware Leann Garrett, Lester James Copeland and Joshua Austin Walker, Tierra L. Walker, Kiana Chantrel Bush, Daleshia Lenea Leflore, Mariana B. Sanders, Chelsea Alexis Smith and Kursten Nicole Watkins, Tiffany Mercedes Clark, Tierra Ladisha Henry, Jamia K. Jelks, LaKreisha Patrice Jelks, Marquita Donyell Marshall Kristen Wright Williams, Meagan Knight Harvey, Andrea Letitia Banks, William Gene Brantley, Tytiana A’Brie Grace, Tomas William Jones, Raven Emery McDaniel Debbie Lynn Pollock-Simmons, Lorien Keamber Gowdy Hannah Caitlyn Roberts, Jalissia S. Brazzle,  Brandon Gregory Griffin, Terra L. Bryant, Anita Jones Lowery, Michael Carl McIntosh and Frank G. Sanford, Elizabeth Theresa Robinson, Christopher Joel Thomas, Chrissi Betty Farrell, Ashley Paulnetta McEntee, JaBazz Cherelle White, Vallie LeNeidra Porter, Jamesia Lynne Theodore, Sarah Ann Williams, Lashonda Patrice Donaldson, Lakisha Latoya Lyons, Jasmine Dashay McGruder, Shayla Markesha Robinson, Krishna Tre’Nette Shaw, Helen W. Smith, Tamaron LaShay Smith, Tisha Denise Smith, Teresa Veasley, Nellie M. Burch, Danielle Cara Adams, Kandace Marie Davis, LaToya A. Holder, Enloe Mays Kee IV and Takila K. Stewart, Anika JaVonne Tanks, DeJanaye Simmons, Brittany D. Mitchell, Lesli Jayne Quinn, Nydia Dechell Thames, JeNecia Lashay Lockett,  Amy J. Wadford, Shannon Nicole Stokes, Rachel Alexander, Madeline G. Anderson, Joquereon C. Ball, Ke’Aunna Lagail Baylor, Cristina N. Beckman, Emily Katherine Booker, Jayda Aranna Bounds, Gloria Anne Boyd, Shaquanta R. Boyd, Takeria Georlet Bryant, Lesa Jackson Buckley, Melissa R. Burns, A’Kevia Ta’Sha Carpenter, Charles William Carruth, Michael Dewayne Chaney, Parker G. Chaney, Cindy Mashae Chapman, Jared Jerald Cline, Asante Eduane Cole, Brittany Michelle Cole, Gabrielle Cole, Haley Harper Copeland, Yolanda Jeanette Creer, Alesha Nicole Cross, Alexias Raevon Daniels, Ashley Ann David, Jessica Lynn Davis, Taderia Shardai Davis, Reginald Leshon Denman, Jessie Dennis, Zakia I. Drane, Khadija Akala Easley, Frederick D. Felder, Jamarcus Levell Fox, Haley Michele Francis, Hannah Patricia Frazier, Claudine Sims Fuller, Hayden C. Gant, Jennifer Lynn Gould, Kathryn Frances Grant, Matthew Brett Griffin, Crystal Shonta Hampton, Joshua Adam Hearn, Allison Nicole Heflin, Aja M. Hersey, Jesus E. Hidalgo, Madison Elise Hike, Bailey Alyssa Houser, Quinton Marvell Hudson, William Scott Hudson, Brittany Sade Hurst, Tyheeja K. Jackson, Donald Hale Jemison, Jada Marita Jennings, Michaela Jo Johnson, Murrietta Latrice Jones, Harpreet Kaur, Chrystine Brooke Koenigs, Antoinette Marie Krstulovich, Logan A. Larkin, Chrystal Nicole Lewis, Eric Mackenzie Lewis, Apryl N. Lindley, Tracy Jurun Malone, Michelle Marie Martin, Zikiyyah Ke’Undra Martin, James Ronald McGee, Christopher Deondre McGrone, China W. McNeil, Yosimi Mendoza, Jara Robilyn Miller, Jerome Miller, Quintera Jena’ Miller, T’Shiba L. Molphus, Chase McCrae Moore, James Edward Moore, Kevin J. Moore, Tonya Michelle Morris, Anthony L. Mosley, Terry Devonte Mosley, Victoria M. Myers, Logan Estella Nave, Alex Donte Nicholson, Natina Gerri Norman, Jerri Rene’e Odom, Jennifer Lynn Parker, Brianna Lee Partridge, Michele Renee Pearson, Clarence Grayson Pierce, Kembresha O’Dasha Portis, A’Zarhia Dalyn Powell, Ana Primeaux, Clara A. Radcliffe, Christopher Glenn Rhine, Loren Taylor Richardson, Logan Marie Robinson, Andria G. Scarbrough, Tabitha C. Scisson, Tonesia Teshay Scott, Shakira M. Shoemaker, Taneish M. Smith, Mecklin Denise Soules, Angel Z. Spencer, LaCamiyah Rakajah Taylor, Monique Temple, Melvin Thomas, William R. Thompson, Teresa Louise Tidwell, Jordan Xavier Tucker, David Allan Wyrick, Nydia Young, Pamela S. Smith, Kian-Ta R. Aigbokhan, Shantel Le’Sha Moore, Ashton Ma’leigh Dixon, Shanita Louena Strickland, Melissa Ann Barrett, Chenice Lorraine Ben, Chris D. Bounds, Aaron Blake Bradley, Abby Conn Bradley, Christopher Shane Cotton, Brelan Mikal Gardner, Brandy Renee Gentry, Malaina Grasshopper, Elizabeth Dominique Hewitt, Chaiydreanna T. LeFlore, Neelam Mumtaz Mian, Angela D’nette Najera Perez, Michael Austin Thomas, Valencia Katrice Bradley, Christina Michele Dale, Santerio Lyntrez Darden, Escherica B. Gray, Ronnie Tavarus Hopson, Shauntae Alecia Mobley, Travera Nicole Banks, Nicole Bethany Butler, Chasity Hamrick, Carra Danielle Harwell, Asia Jarde’ Ruffin, Brandi Leigh Williams of Raymond; Kraterria Shaquel Blakley, Sandra Tutton Edmonds, Lonkerria Zykia McCoy and Yolanda Adams Plummer, Katie Jo Satcher, Holly T. Hampton, Jessica Mone’ Killingsworth, LaToya Sheree Williams, Tymeisha Deshanna Brewster, Taylor Elaine Thomas, Kylie Lynn Williams, Candace Lucas Jenkins,  LaShay McPherson Sims, Princess Spears of Vicksburg; Adrianna Michelle Campbell-Page, Skiesha Javanea Trotter, Brigitte Tara Mills, Tekeyla Tranette Hartzog, Megan Shea Ingram, Charris Dewuan Smith, Kristi L. Cummings.