Applause and celebrations were the order of the day when Meridian Community College held two May 2017 Commencements Friday in the Evangel Temple.

Some 556 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.

The highlight of the second commencement came when five top graduates were recognized and rewarded for their academic performance yielding scholarships to continue their academic endeavors.

Mallory Brooke Harmon of Meridian and Timothy William Sansing of Collinsville were tapped for the Phil Hardin Foundation Scholarships, which are funded by the Phil Hardin Foundation through the Meridian Community College Foundation. Harmon and Sansing each received $5,000. Harmon 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 biology and pre-med, she plans to attend the University of Mississippi. Sansing is also an honors college member with a 4.0 gpa. He plans to attend Mississippi State University to obtain a master’s degree in engineering.

Three students and all members of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society for community and junior colleges, John Taylor Champion of Pheba, James Houston Chance Anderson of Meridian and Donald Scott Carroll of Enterprise, 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. Champion holds a 4.0 gpa, is a member of the Eagle Tennis Team and plans to study at Mississippi State University majoring in secondary education. His career goal is to work in school administration or become a Mississippi politician. Anderson is majoring in biochemistry and will attend Mississippi State University in the fall. His career goal is to do biochemical research. Carroll is a member of the honors college. He plans to attend MSU and major in accounting. His career goal is to own his own investment firm.

Harmon, Sansing, Champion, Anderson and Carroll were also installed in the College’s Circle of Excellence. This recognition spotlights MCC graduates who were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, community service and spirit. Other Circle of Excellence honorees for the Spring Class of 2017 included Logan Darrald Miller, Sidney Tyler Yates, Sarah Jean Dover, Ashley CiCi Ewings, Emma Alyssa Moffett, Majesti Charleen Scott, Adam Leland Mowdy, Jackson Phra Kercheval, Kailey Madison Cross, Cory James Shumate, Shelby Rose Gossett, Kristyn Taylor Gore, Madison Tew, Madison E. Godfrey, Mason Andrew Kiefer, Lindsey K. Ziller, Jamson Lamar Cook and Kevin Douglas Chance, all of Meridian; Leah Marie Burns, Noah Phillip James, Abbie E. Pope, Dalton Lee Williams, Jordyn Makenzye Hull, Jamie Reneé Chaney, Deanna E. Burt and Hadleigh G. Vowell, both of Philadelphia; Hayden Olivia Hill of Maben; Lacey Hedrick and Marie Kathleen Graham, both of Conehatta; Leah Harvey Bergin of Forest; Dillon Blake Henke, Lisa Marie Reynolds, Kylie K. Odom and Richard Alec Holloway, all of Quitman; Kimberlyn Dakota Ivy of Taylorsville; Shelby M. Zachary of Madison; Joe Charles Brown of Marion; Breno Gaspar Bridgido Goncalves of Parede Carcais, Portugal; Karit Kitipongpatana of Bangkok, Thailand; Jason Domzil Pimenta of Aukland, New Zeland; Taylor Anne Miller of Kyle, Texas; and Kyra Brooke Holway of Tuscumbia, Ala.

Seven students named to the Circle of Excellence in first commencement included: LaToya D. Smith-Johnson and Kenneth Alling, both of Meridian; Emily Kate Bounds of Newton; Randel Waite of Collinsville; Rhonda Smith and Latesha McGruder, both of Laurel and Latesha Smith of Ridgeland.

Candidate for graduation included:

Antwinnette Renee Bailey of Aberdeen; Anna Evelyn Sisson, Crystal Dianne Ortiz, Danny Nichole Howeel, Hayden Lee Comans, Jason Patrick Caballero and Tiffany Shanice Harden, all of Bailey; Chase Daniel Coker of Batesville; Shasta Latrelle Pickens of Bay Springs; James Daniel Gann of Birmingham, Ala.; Rebecca Lynn Hearn of Bolton; Britney Paige Mitchell and Kenisha K. Giles, all of Brandon; Aaliyah O’Bri Barnes and Caleb Anthony Yarborough, both of Brookhaven; Angela Denise William, Bukhari Donté Brown, Courtney Anita Harrington and Deana Elizabeth Robb, all of Byram; Lakeysha R. Fleming of Canton; Alex M. Adams, DeRondrick Harris, JaDarius Da´Montae Scott and Joyce Leanne Anderton all of Carthage; Antonia Charece Jim of Choctaw; Amber D. Rigdon, Martha Lynn Haguewood and Samuel Gonzalez, all of Chunky; Gladys Lasha Watson and LaKendra Vanyatta Elliott, both of Clinton;Abbie E. Pope, Alisa L. Bullock, Allison Kelly Harrison, Andrew Barnes Waite, Cayla Engle Gilbert, Chelsea Paige Bowling, Christopher Alan Clayton, Dalton Lee Williams, Erika Ellen Holloway, Guy W. Rawson, Haley Adele Coffman, Jami Reneé Chaney, Jeffrey Alan Manley, Jeremy Michael Evans, Jessica Rose Culpepper, Jordyn Makenzye Hull, Kiefer Seth Moffett, Lacy Rae Billings, Landon K. Ethridge, Leah Marie Burns, Luke Jonathan Robbins, Margaret McKenlee Perkins, Mary Snowden, Nathan Thomas McClure, Noah Phillip James, Randel Walker Waite, Sarah Keys, Shelby Alise Plowman, Steven Sollie, Taylor Joseph Irby, Timothy William Sansing, Torrie Michelle Bourgeois, Trent Kellis Moore, Victoria Hope Gates and William Jacob Ethridge, all of Collinsville; Shelby Elizabeth Lowe of Columbus; Allison K. Dennis, Lacey Hedrick and Marie Kathleen Graham, all of Connehatta; Ivy M. Turner-Green of Crystal Springs; Alicia M. Fulwood of Cuba, Ala.; Raphael Nakili Shaw of D’Iberville; Kristy Symone Grace, Kiara J. Bourrage, Meagan Noel Humphries, Carey Patrice Eades, Carly B. Gensheimer, Emily Kathryn McDade, Megan S. Seal, Michael Scott Bell and Nathan C. Easley, all of DeKalb; Cody Austin McMahan and Gerry Ben White, both of Decatur; Kaylie R. Odegard and Naira Elvira Loya, both of Demopolis, Ala.; Jacqueline Tamara Jordan of Ellisville; Raven M. Foy of Emelle, Ala.; Chase J. McCraney, Donald Scott Carroll, Haylee Lauren Pace, Idashá Kristina Glenn, Jacob paul Pittman, Katlyn D. Jordan, Magon K. Simpson, Merrick Lane Duvalle, Morgan Suzanne Trawick, Sara Satcher and Sheldon Joshua Cross, all of Enterprise;

Jennifer L. Johnson of Flora; Audrianna Walker, Bailey V. Batte, Leah Harvey Bergin, Matthew Keshon Futch and Tony L. Alford, all of Forest; Mariaha Asheley Floyd of Gilbertown, Ala.; Kieyuma Terkese Moses of Glencross; Ashton Carmichael Pierce, Robert Victor Stephens and Tra’Von C. Clavo, all of Hattiesburg; Ashley BreAnna Gressett of Hickory; Bernardine Williams, David Jerome Carter, Jasmine Alicia Smith, Kristle Letrice Rockett, Lorena Rosena Tripp, Nancy Ann Campbell, Netosha Lashondala Wilson and Yalonda Ann Strong, all of Jackson; Andriel Kechelle Moss of Kenner, La.; Taylor Anne Miller of Kyle, Texas; Casey Renee Simpson , Emily Kate Bounds and Laura Lee Taylor, all of Lake; Alisha Michelle Hopkins, Jasmine Raquell Rush, Kia Marquisha Renea Bramlett, Susan L. Amorin and Xavier R. Moss, all of Lauderdale; Amanda G. Green, Carmen D. McMillan, Halethe Rachell Jones, Jennifer Summer Sumrall, Latesha Teresh McGruder, Reagan Cameron Evans, Rhonda Alene Smith, and Tobie Alexander Williams, all of Laurel; Babs R. White and Samantha O. Oliver, both of Little Rock; Andrew T. Reel, Deidra L. McCroy, Jessica Nichole Black. Latisha Alize Eiland, Lauren Avery Dalton, Morgan Jewel Hatcher and Randall L. Miller, all of Louisville; Ivey Paige Brewer, Jeremy Daniel Smith, Joseph Eugene Smith and Russell Blake Fields, all of Lucedale; Hayden Olivia Hill of Maben; Danielle Nicole Hawkins, Gene Evelena Gillespie and Lashanda F. Stevenson, all of Macon; LaTesha Yolanda Smith, Shania Ann-Marie Richardson and Shelby M. Zachary, all of Madison; Abby J. Smith, Joshua Charles Brown, Rosilyn Dudeck Holladay and Troyzues Robriques Neely, all of Marion; Cody Lamar Vowell of McCool; Ariel Denise Allgood of McLain; Joseph Malachi Spears of McNeill; Sara D. Parker of Mendenhall; Aaron Jacob Ross, Adam Leland Mowdy, Alandria Shontria Edwards, Alexa Anne Hogan, Alexa Taylor Blaine, Alexis V. Kelly, Alonzo D. Tyuse, Amanda Kay Fortenberry, Angell Z. Spencer, Angela Dawn Long, Angela Marie Smith, Angela Michele Bennett, Anthony D. Overstreet, Anthony John Hagar, Ashley CiCi Ewings, Ashley Nicole Harris, Ashly Deniece Clayton, Ashly M. Alford, Atrill Rnee Walk-Dollison, Austin M. Carter, Beau Thomas Corella, Bonnie LeaAnn Dudley, Brandon Jacob Gray, Brantley Nicole Massy, Breno Gaspar Bridgido Goncalves, Briason Patric-Jymal May, Bridgett Leigh Moseley, Bridgette Michelle Wells, Brittany S. Peden, Candace L. Wade, Cathryn Brooke Bidgood, Charles D’Andre Mitchell, Chiara J. Crosby, Christian Vance Moore, Cory James Shumate, D’Anna Ballor, Dale Edward Moore, Dalton Taylor Adams, Daniel Joseph Miller, Dante Block, Darieona Prioleau, Darrell D. Bryant, Darrin Lee Mitchell, Dayja Abrianna Johnson, Deandre Daeshun Brunson, Debra McClendon Graham, Dellonte Lakeith Starks, Dennis Anthony Lenoir, Deree Michelle Rogrs, Deshun Ditrelle Carter, Dixon Vaughn Bennett, Doris Sterdivant, Dustin Korey James, Dylan J. Reeves, Dylan Shane Shirley, Ed’Londa Janay Tureaud, Elie Vanchester Crosby, Elizabeth Anne Mary Gellatly, Elizabeth S. Chandler, Elton T. Neal, Aemma Alyssa Moffett, Equesha O. Sims, Faviola Vivar Soriano, Felicia LaShel Barfield, Haleigh Marie Brown, Haley Meshell Mansfield, Hannah Jordan Boyette, Hayley S. White, Henrie Gully Robinson, Hillary Renae Johnson, Hollie Jean Kidd, Hubert Leon Houston, Hunter Dylan Jackson, Hunter W. Smith, Iesha J. Gully, Isabella Ki Horne, Isaiah JL Little, Ja’Marquis Deshon Ford, Jackson Lamar Cook, Jackson Phra Kercheval, Jacob D. Sheely, Jakiyah Branae Kilpatrick, Jamacia Ty’Nae Spencer, Jamal Jordan Cole, Jamal Rahsad Neal, James Houston Chance Anderdon, James L. Carter, Janice Denise Byrd, Janice L. Townsend, Janika L. Lawson, Jasmine JaQuay Olson, Jason Domzil Pimenta, Jayden C. Graves, Jeremiah Dean Jefcoat, Jeresis N. Agosto, Jermario Racoya Moton, Jessica Lee Dooley, Jessica Lynn Lenoir, Jessica M. Hawkins, Jessica N. Powell, Joel Robert Eckman; John Dallas Dearman, Johnisha Sims, Johnny Ray Knox, Jonah R. Kinney, Jonathan Earl Cranmore, Joshua M. Litchfield, Joshua Mark Breazeale, Julia Kay Springer, Jstin Cortez Alexander, KaShyra Deon’tai Coleman, Kaici D. Speed, Kailey Madison Cross, Kaitlyn T. Mathews, Karit Kitipongpatana, Katelyn Elizabeth Huntley, Katelyn Michelle Shirley, Katie Aleah Barrett, Katie Marie Beddingfield, Katlyn A. Skinner, Kayla Joy Butler, Kayla Maree Gould, Kedrianna T. Cole, Keelan JaQuez Brewster, Keith Kentrell Turnipseed, Keith R. Wilcox, Kenneth Lee Alling, Kevin Douglas Chance, Kiera Nichole Long, Koyderius Marquez Granger, Kristen A. Gortney, Kristen K. Zettler, Kristen Leigh Post, Kristyn Taylor Gore, Krystine D. Sims, Kyla Ann Williams, La’Marcus Tubbs, LaDale Hunter Cockrell, LaToya Denice Smith-Johnson, Lance Strickland, Landon Moore Hembree, Latoya Denine Franklin, Leah Summer Butler, Lil’Tavious C. Smith, Lindsey K. Ziller, Logan Darrald Miller, Loniesha Shavona Brooks, Lydia C. Heiser, Madison E. Godfrey, Madison Tew, Magen Ryan Chatham, Mai Sue Lor, Majesti Charleen Scott, Malcolm Eugene Gatewood, Mallory Brook Harmon, Marco Yau, Mariedith D. Stephenson, Marilyn Ann Dale, Marlena Morris, Mary Elizabeth Harrison, Mason Andrew Kiefer, Max P. Dickerson, Morgan Elizabeth Clark, Morgan Elizabeth Wilson, Myracle Y. Smith, Nathan Lamar Lane, Nieda M. Jones, Ontereus Antoine Berry, Otis Lee Smith, Paolo E. Salazar, Parker Black Easley, Perry Winford, Peyton Elizabeth Auton, Preston L. Byrd, Randy Wayne Fuller, Rashad De’von Merritt, Reoze Javon Merritt, Robbie Karlene Lane, Rodney M. Robinson, Ryan Samuel James, Ryan Thomas Heiser, Sarah Jean Dover, ShaTasha Vernetta Collins, Shalandria Shanta Hill, Shanice Tonisha Jones, Shanika S. Wilson, Shatara S. McClelland, Shelby Rose Gossett, Sidney Tyler yates, Stanley Ray Murphy, Steven A. Fuller, Steven C. Klines, Sydney Me’shaun Jones, Tabitha Mae Ward, Tadedryel Young, Taisha L. Brown, Tcarro Antreair Ford, Theodore James Goodwin, Thomas Hopson, Thomas Lee Cook, Tiffany Daniels McDougle, Timerica J. Rose, Trevor Chance McDonald; Ukisha Lashay Carter, Umbreacha NaGrace Clemons, Vashti E. Graham, Veverly DeShann Graham, Victory Clayton Booth, Victoria Boyken Van Drunen, Victoria Latrice White, Virginia Seeders Viohl, Whitney S. Lewis, William Ronald Hover, Winston Dallas Joles, Yolanda Michelle Amie and Zachary W. Smith, all from Meridian;

Jose R. Castro of Metarie, La.; Bethany Lauren Jones of Millry, Ala.; Deidre Danielle Young and Mary Katherine Bynum, both of Mize; Mallory Paige McBroom of Mobile, Ala.; Kendall Renard Moore of Montgomery, Ala.; Carlee Madison Westberry and Heather Ashley Renfroe, both of Morton; Kristin DeAnne Herrington of Mount Olive; Rashonae Rice of Natchez; Alisha D. Walker, Destiny K. Carter, Ebonie Nicole Broach, Henry L. Hall, Jamiya Cheyenne Williams, Jordyn Lea Paige Landry, Matthew D. Jackson, Rachel Denise Thomas and Terry E’Shaysha Norman, all of Newton; KeeLee Marie Ladnier of Ocean Springs; Abagail Lee Pate of Oxford; Brian Caleb Carlisle, DeAnte Arnez Bradley and Lindsey DeWayne Bradley, all of Pachuta; Angela B. McKenzie of Paulding; Angela A. Wiggins, Billie Rae Brown, Danielle J. Lewis and Tabitha Denise Horne, all of Pearl; Rolisha Nicole Ratliff of Pennington, Ala.; Joycelyn Clarsetta Peters of Petal; John Taylor Champion of Pheba; Alexander P. Michelletti, Amy Kittrell Wilborn, Ana Lauren Phillips, Angel Ann Charlie, Annie L. Haynes, Cheyenne H. Hedden, Deanna E. Burt, Destiny Renee Files, Erika D. Sledge, Femee S. Culberson, Hadleigh G. Vowell, Janairamie Tomika Chickaway, Jarrod Lane Agent, Jniifer Boler Collins, Kaitlin Ann Burk, Kaitlin Nicole Miles, Kaley Dee McMillan, Kelsey Danielle Fortenberry; Kendrick Blake Bell, Kristen D. Lewis, Krystal Lynn Martin, Madison Leigh Vaughn, Melissa Ann Posey, Melissa Danielle Butler, Morgan Layne Hollis, Paul Jason Morrison, T’Keya Charmain Brown and Tarra Shanice Lyons, all of Philadelphia;

Mia K’myli Johnson of Plaquemine, La.; Xiomaria Te’Anjenque Grace of Plymouth, Minn.; Alondria Dessirae Jefferson, Glenda Faye Jenkins and Jatesha D. Pettus, all of Porterville; Jasmine Chante Johnson and Julius C. Hickman, both of Preston; Carmen Lavette Dotson, Claudia Ann Eskridge, Dexter McCall Jordan, Dillon Blake Henke, Jeremy Anson Brady, Judy Kathleen Boykin, Justin Lee Crowson, Katie Jo Riley, Kenneth Wayne Murff, Kennon B. Odom, Kristen Leigh Colston, Kristen Renee Adams, Kylie K. Odom, Lisa Marie Reynolds, Richard Alec Holloway, Takerri J. Cooks and Tawny Minella Gavin, all of Quitman; Amber Denise Grayson andDylan Joseph Cuevas, both of Raleigh; Tramaine Danyale Luckett of Ridgeland; Candace Irine Bradley of Rose Hill; Mycahla Ann Howard of Santa Fe, Texas; Elijah Ray Dale Wheat of Saucier; Terra Presley of Scooba; Angelyn Tempe Carr and Joshua Alexander Carr, both of Seminary; Hayley B. Owen, Kendrick M. Gordon, Kenisha L. Falconer, LaThomas Keshawn Edwards and Sidney D. King, all of Shubuta; Madison Sarah Drummond of Southhaven; Harold Williamson Irvin, Jamesha R. Cooper and Nathan K. Hollis, all of Starkville; Laken Breanna Wood of Stringer; Kimberlyn Dakota Ivy of Taylorsville; Tewana Cokeha Johnson of Terry; Aaron Burnell Adams, Brandon Taylor, Damondra T. King, Katherine Lindsey Hollister, Kody Brooks Cullum, Mason Jonathon Dean, Milton Tucker, Valencia Marie Miller and Zachary Gaines, all of Toomsuba; Tiffany D. Robinson of Tougaloo; Aaliyah Shanté Dubose of Toxey, Ala.; Maya Elise Johnson of Trussville, Ala.; Kyra Brooke Holway of Tuscumbia, Ala.; Amanda Nicole Warren, Hannah Grace Dallas, Jessica Paige McCrra Ridout, John Daniel Anthony, Kathryn Joann Williamson, Philip Michael Dallas, Thomas Marion Whinery and Victoria Holsen, all of Union; Kylee Joanne Burke of Vicksburg; Brianna Abigail Duquette of Virginia Beach, Va.; Jacob Briggs Wade of Vossburg; Alye Brooks and Erica Lenore Farve, both of Walnut Grove; Rima J. Saunders, Robert Keon Davis and Taylor R. Cooksey, all of Waynesboro; and Breanna Monique Miller and Trevion Johnte Johnson, both of York, Ala.