Applause and celebrations were the order of the day when Meridian Community College held two May 2018 Commencements Friday in the Evangel Temple.

Some 568 students applied to graduate, making it the highest number ever for an MCC May commencement. Two ceremonies were held – one for graduates in the Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant programs and the other for the remaining student graduates.

Dakota Cason and Maria Pierce were tapped for the Phil Hardin Foundation Scholarships, which are funded by the Phil Hardin Foundation through the Meridian Community College Foundation.

Cason and Pierce each received $5,000. Cason is a member of the Phil Hardin Foundation Honors College and a president’s list scholar with a grade point average of 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. Majoring in business administration, Cason plans to study at Meridian Campus of Mississippi State University.

Pierce is also an honors college member with a 4.0 gpa. She plans to attend Mississippi State University to obtain a degree in kinesiology and clinical exercise physiology with the goal of becoming an orthopedic physical therapist.

Three students and all members of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society for community and junior colleges, Anna-Beth Loper, Samuel Brown and Zach Carter received the H.M. Ivy Scholarships. As Ivy Scholars, they each were given $2,000 for their junior year of study at senior institutions, and provided their academic excellence continues, $2,000 awards for their senior year of study. Loper is a member of the Ivy League Recruiters and plans to study at Mississippi State University majoring in biomedical engineering. Her career goal is to become a doctor of medicine.

Brown is majoring in Christian studies and philosophy and will attend Mississippi College in the fall. His career goal is to serve as a pastor and teach as a religion instructor.

Carter is a member of the honors college and captain of the baseball team. He plans to attend Mississippi College majoring in Christian studies with a career goal of becoming a Baptist preacher.

Cason, Pierce, Loper, Brown and Carter were also installed in the College’s Circle of Excellence.

This recognition spotlights graduates who were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, community service and spirit. Other honorees included James Michael Morphis, Rachel Ann Sollie, Mason K. Terry, Allison Hamilton Williams, Alec Gray Marlow, Raegan Alene Chambliss, Evan Liverett Avery, Cassie Lynn Green, Samantha Marie Parry, Yaretzi Alejandra Pina-Hernandez, Madison Paige Boyd, Zackery W. Presnall, KaShunna LaShanai Coleman, Katherine Elizabeth Rhaly, Markevis J. Bennett, Jerod James Fritts, Madeline Hope Johnson, Justin Kyle Burkeen, Megan Leigh Moffett, Teela Riann Woodson and Brittnee Michele Conn, Olivia Jill Vaughn,  Savannah Lee Bedwell, Brianna J. Gunn, Cassie Dee Campbell, Amber Lindsey Boney, Peter James Holland, Garrett Cole Busby, Victoria Lynn Grant, Brett Tyler Jones, Callan Chaplin Shinall, Kassidy Leigh Anderson, Kristi Rebecca Sims, Noel N. Smith, Kayla Dawn Posey, Hunter Austin Stanley, John Richard Keeler, Pedro Henique Dutra Proenca. 

Students named to the Circle of Excellence in first commencement were Alisha Michelle Moody, Pamela A. Watson and Cody Lynn Ellis.  

Candidates for graduation were Lawanda Denise Travis, Sacha Q. Robinson, Marrel Lamar Parker, Zena Dale Limerick, Gabriela Danielle Ortiz and Wesley Clay Upchurch, Angela Marie Cotton, Aaron Wilson Kirby and Alexis O Phillips, Shelby Rae Gautreaux Hannah Lauren Heustess, James Russell McCullar, Katherine Holcomb Mitchell, Carmen Sherrell Ward and Pamela A. Watson, Kassidy Leigh Anderson,  Kameron Renae Cook, Carissa Joy Glosson, Maggie Wingard Jackson, Agustin Martinez Garcia and Alisha Michelle Moody, Ana Marie Arechiga, Tyler Douglas Pounders, Kristina Wynette Harrell, Terri Shannon Neal, Mariana B. Sanders, Rakisha Ann Anderson,  Destinee Nicole Buckley, Cassidy Potate Jerkins, Braydon Alexander Lewis, Tykeia Zhane’ McCormick, Demetria Nicole Reed, Vickey L. Wells, Abbe Lauren Bates, Emily J. Bishop, Macaylah Summer Britt, Steven M. Bufkin, Justin Kyle Burkeen, Alex Cameron Calhoun, Greyson Mosby Calhoun, Fileesha D. Chisolm, Cody Wayne Crawford, McKenna Grace Dean, Jerod J. Fritts, Madeline Hope Johnson, Jami Len Keene, Kaitlyn Kinney, Luke Jensen Lockey, Katherine Anna-Elizabeth Loper, Michael Chase McLelland, Alexis Rae Mills, Megan Leigh Moffett, Dakota T. Noe, Leah D. Smith, Matthew Kyle Thompson, Jenna K. Vick, Mya Briana Wade, Monique Latice Williams, Logan Selman McDowell, Jaleesa Monae Gillespie, Aisha Shaymon Guy, Theresa M. Harvey, Haley E. Tutor, Samantha Nicole Vogel, Rokila Rena Wallace, Lavor Kentrel Williams, Brett Patrick Boland, Jessica Ashlyn Gordy, Zachary R. Henry, Courtland J. Johnson, Deandre Alexander, LaBresha A. Murray, Miresha Share Bourrage, Haley L. Hall, Cadarius Lawilliam Odom, Katricia N. Steele, Dennis Michael Youngblood, Jonathan Jacob Adkins, Monica Dieanea Drummond, Mary Grace Jones, Olivia Jill Vaughn, Marshay Denitira Lewis of Edwards, Savannah Lee Bedwell, Ka’Darius Kwashun Brunson, Lexis Hope Clark, Breanna Leigh Cunningham, Jacob Alan Cunningham, Ann Marie Fowler, Adriana F. Gilbert, Brianna J. Gunn, Sierra Hinson Maxwell, Naquita Latoya Donta McGowan, Heather Allyce McKelvain, Christian Slade Moore, William F. Newman, Kaleigh Brooke Russell, Frank G. Sanford, Courtney Shae Sullivan, Jessica Elaine Turner, Tatsyana Aaliyah Wade, Anthony Blake Morris, Francis Ware, Demetra Shavon Miller of Gilbertown, Kayla Dawn Posey, Shakim Malik Buckley, Peter James Holland, LaRico Angelo Lewis, Brenda Ann Holloway, Trace Daniel Jordan, Jasmine Sharnae Taite, Lori Ward, Sarabeth Windham, Noel N. Smith, Quanika Monique Williams, Shelby Lauren Blackwell, Bethanie Marie Cook, Brittany Elise Dorman, Brett Tyler Jones, April S. Walker, Khadija Thi Tieu, Brittny Shay Fox, Tywanna Alisha Harris, Charles Bernard Hughes II, Sharon A. Ingram, Sharron Deniece Jordan, Eugenia Alexandria Randle, Nafeesah Yasmeen Rasheed, Alandria Tatyanna Smith, Jeremy Alexander Smith, Obadiah Drewshon Stokes, Keyahda Creshae Body, Erica Symone Daniel, Latasha Denise Bell, Markevis J. Bennett, Tyler E. Bolden, LeAndra Monique Bramlett, Kenzaevious A. Cole, Sara Kelli Dodd, Kattie Brianna Grainger, Jameka Dorice Hairston, Landon Allan Keller, Nyeshia O’Hara, Gerry Parker, Brandy Williams and Jacob W. Wyche, Javin Jashad Arrington, Jakai Symone Epps, Zaria Antoinette Husband, Vanessa Leeann Ishee, Lindsey Nicole Jenkins, Daveon Deon Rogers, Kameron Kurt Voge, Allison Nicole Federick, Garrett Cole Busby, Staci P. Smith and Gabrielle Ann Tyson, Emily Hansford Skinner, Charde’ R. Ridgeway, Marsha Elaine Jones, Raegan Alene Chambliss, LaDasia Sade Harmon, Hope Tierre Harrington, Byron Jawon Hathorn, Genesis Kiera Love and Nydia D. Thames, Saige O’Ryon Brewer, Summer Nichole Goss, Chuntiqwa Qwiunna Avant, Shuntia Ti’unna Bell, Cassie Dee Campbell, Shanquaneeka Tarlizzie Shanklin, Caden Thomas Ewing, Matthew Aaron Harrison Jasmine M. Smith, Elliott Patrick Small, Kenneth Delano Fultz, Elisabeth Nicole Abel, Antoinne Lamontae Adkins, Rachael M. Alexander, Mason Crawford Allen, Tommy Andre Amerson, Javia Lanasha Anderson, Travis Lamar Arceneaux, Evan Liverett Avery, Randa Mathis Bailey, Victoria Claire Beal, Austin C. Bean, Samantha Ann Beckham, Taylor Renee Blackwell, Dynecia Catriecia Blanks, LaQuandra Natasha Bolden, Brandon Dewayne Boston Sr., Blake Slayton Boswell, Madison Paige Boyd, Shaquanta R. Boyd, Kaleb Vincent Boyer, William Alan Bracken, Joshua Mark Breazeale, Nena R. Brewster, Tunzyan Devontae Brewster, Adam Lee Brown, Courtland Raymone Brown, Dudley Reid Brown, Tiffany Danielle Browning, Cordarius Martinez Brunson, James A. Caraway, Ashlynn Noel Carlson, Dakota Pace Cason, Lukelvin Chambers, Michael David Chandler, Keith J. Clark, Brittney L. Cole, KaShunna LaShanai Coleman, Billy Christopher Covington, Skyler Michelle Cox, Scott A. Craven, Lacee LaRayne Dalton, Morgan Taylor Davidson, Clifton Wayne Davis II, Katina Danielle Davis, Lauren Marie Davis, Tammy LaChelle Dearman, Max P. Dickerson, Ethan Todd Dotson-Ward, Joshua Colby Duell, Brittany K. Dukes, Caitlin Nicole Duncan, Lindsey Erin Dunn, Pedro Henrique Dutra Proenca, Cody Lynn Ellis, Adriana Esguerra, Samuel Austin Fairchild, Sandy Ferrill, Terry Joevaughn Flowers, Courtney Fluker, Nandi Nkosanzana Franklin, Gina Grace Fraysur, Kyle Alexander Fuller, Rodrigus Sanchez Gaddis, Devon Elizabeth Galliano, Cameron John Gilbert, Joshua Taylor Glardon, Daniel Joseph Gordon, Victoria Lynn Grant, Brandon Jacob Gray, Kayla Celeste Grayson, Cassie Lynn Green, Hope Battle Greer, Morgan Daniel Griesser, Brodrikus Cordelle Griffin, Magayla LeAnne Griffin, Matthew Brett Griffin, Victoria Baleigh Griffith, Payton Lee Grogan, Robert David Grundhoefer, Anthony John Hager Sr., Ti-Taevrian L. Hall, Jeffrey David Hannah, Christopher Bradley Hardy, Kayla Walton Harper, Caleb James Harris, Jada Nicole Harris, Latisha Lyveria Harris, Noah Finton Harris, Luke James Harrison, Rondarion B. Haynes, Landarryl J Hersey, Carolina Del Carmen Hidalgo, Kristian V Hill, Kimberly Lasha Holliday, Janika L Hopson, Federico Hourdebaigt, DeAngelo Antwon Houston, William Ronald Hover III, Sa’eed F Hudson, John Prentiss Huffmaster, James Jerome Irby, Kayla D’Sondra Jackson, Stacey Chalk Jackson, Ryan Samuel James, Ebony Simone Jasper, Jade Brianna Jay, George B. Jenkins, McKenzie Joy Jenkins, Morgan Elizabeth Jennings, Rokkisia B. Jimison, Daetreeona Chante’ Johnson, Jaywaun S. Johnson, Timothy Wayne Johnson II, Jamie L. Joyner, Gabrielle Patryce Kelly, Darren Lee Kentfield, Shanika Sherese Keys, Kelly Ann Klutz, Ericka S. Knighton, Jacob Knost, Ashley S. Knott, Michael T. Koch, Michael Kevin LaFrance, Jason Daniel LaShane, Bailey Austin Leonard, Janae LeighAnn Leonard, Chad Allen Lewis, Jessica J. Lewis, Joshua M. Litchfield, Angela Dawn Long, Madison Chance Lovern, Erica Brooke Lucas, Joshua Vanburen Lyons, Alec Gray Marlow, Brandon Lee Martin, Zoria Leanne McCarty, Jason Todd McInnis, Alexa Kay McKinnion, Joseph Brandon McMullan, John Austin McNeel, China Wil’skyia McNeil, LaPreshia Mauryuanna Miller, Tracy Renita Miller, David Wayne Milling, Catori T. Mobley, Chase McCrae Moore, Helen LoAnn Moore, Madison Paige Morgan, James Michael Morphis, Christian Michael Moss, Tayla Renee Murray, Oliver Alejandro Navas, Terence Lavon Naylor, Douglas J. O’Brien, John R. O’Quin, Samantha Marie Parry, Marquarius De’Von Pearson, Henry Minh Pham, Anna Maria Pierce, Yaretzi Alejandra Pina-Hernandez, Ashley Breonshae Powe, Jeffery Powe, LaEbony G. Powell, Zackery W. Presnall, James Nathan Price, John Austin Quigley, Katherine Elizabeth Rhaly, Thallison Alex Ribeiro de Oliveira, Shakira Monique Ridgeway, Shanice Roberts, Christie Rowell, Allied L. Rush, Rometres D. Rush, Paolo Estaban Salazar, Chase Scarbrough, Kayla Michelle Shelton, Christen Lummus Shepherd, Dylan Shane Shirley, LaDarius Daeshun Shoemaker, Casey Lyn Sides, Courtney Sillimon, Devin A. Sisson, Danny Ray Smith, Devon Smith, Jacob Thomas Smith, William David Snowden, Rachel Ann Sollie, Drew Austin Steele, Justus N. Steele, Chris S. Stephens, Doris Sterdivant, Noah Wade Stiltner, Chasity Rose Stowe, Christan Jamal Stringfellow, Gary L. Terrell, Mason K. Terry, Ronald L. Thames, Daryl K. Thomas, Landricka T. Thompson, Nathan Brock Tidwell, Bianca Santana Trahan, Edwin M. Trejo, K’Shaytrias Telkia Turrentine, Destini Vick, Cynthia E. Waite, Matthew Brandon Waite, LaNautica Jima Frenshae Warren, Tyneshia Washington, Miller Leigh Watkins, Fredrickus D. Watson, Justin Coleman White, Allison Hamilton Williams, Larry B. Williams, Bradley Lawson Wright, David Allan Wyrick, McKinley LaVell Young Jr., Michael Sims, Rodaysha Burrage, Matthew Spann, James Harwell, Brent Clay, Derrick Smith, Linda D. Lee, Misti Alexander, Alex H. Buckalew, Maricela Zuniga-Alvarez, Cyndle Holcomb Hollingshead, Brittany Leigh Champion, Randi Nicole Lum, Reagan Taylor Autmon, Elexis Ciera Brice and Jayla Anae Poindexter, Shaneera Arriel Knight, Kian-Ta Resa Aigbokhan, Trevor Wayne Ayllon, Robert Payton Brown, DeArcy Angelica Hartin, Coby Smiley, Susan Renee McAdory, Una E. Swindle, Anna K. Wells, Tytiana V. Lockhart, James A. Burnett, Callan Chaplin Shinall, William Arliss Swindoll, Lenita L. Brown,  Maurice Tyrone McCormick, Avery Christine McCullough, Forrest Hunter Robison, Kimberly Michelle McCrory, Spanja Carmelita McLaurin, Elizabeth Gale Wolverton,  Marcus A. Reaves, Taryn Elle Aguirre, Fallon Lyshay Beckham, Breann Morgan Boatner, Caleb Lane Brown, Leverett Pettey Brown, Brittnee Michele Conn, William Colton Duncan, John Richard Keeler, Suzy Johnson Lane, Crystal Mae Lilly, Anna Miquelle Lowrey, Madison Cassie Marshall, Ashleigh Nicole Miles, Lauren Brooke Murphy, Alyssa Marie Nash, Damarcus Parker, Jenna G. Pigg, Christol D. Stribling and Teela Riann Woodson, Calleigh Elizabeth Bromwell,  Escherica Bianca Gray, La’Darius Cantrell McMillian, Karla Lynn Higginbotham, Kristen Renee Adams, Amber Lindsey Boney, Heath Austin Clement, Justin Lee Crowson, Brooklyn Renae Cuevas, Noel Shealee Denham, Karlee Shea Fagan, Shecori A. Finley, Hunter James Kelly, Hollie N. Macrae, William N. McDonald, Seth A. McLemore, Ronald Lee Richardson, Dustin A. Spelich and Mary M. Williams, Sade A. Malone, Samara Katrice Travis, Barbara Jean Alston, Samuel W. Brown, Markise Kentray Zollicoffer, Natalie Jane Guidry, Earlshala Tytil Evans and Frankie VeCheay Watts, Stephan L. Holcombe, Milton Morris Smith, Briann Nicole Benson, Evangeline Marie Hearne, Casey Lane Simmons,  Kaylie M. De La Paz, Kendall Ian Burnet, Brianna Grace Hickey, Hunter Austin Stanley, Noah Mark Allison, Earl Lavanty Boose, Marquees TaVion Boose, DeAnna Elizabeth Draughn, Kiamber Monique Hall, Alexis De’Cheryl Hendrix, Tashika Dayeisha Mcelroy, Kristi Rebecca Sims, William Isaac Tallman, Jose Manuel Morphis, Adrianne Brooke Allen, Shimaiya K. Bailey, Jaquashia S. Fisher, Mark D. Gore, Shana L. Higginbotham, Thomas James Killen, Jackson B. Martin, Evan M. Mayo, Jana Elaine Smith,  Carter F. Whinery, Leaser Gayle James and Sherrek Leontanye Thames, Louie Brantley Charlie, Bethany Hope Johnson, Qiayon Earlana Bailey, Alvin J McFarland, Kelsei Kaleisha White, Zachary Thomas Carter, Daniel Shannon Bedwell, Trimia Tiese Dubose and Willie L. Lake.