MCC hosts commencement, pinning ceremonies marking the end of Fall 2021 semester

Graduates are all smiles at MCC’s Fall Commencement.Graduates are all smiles at MCC’s Fall Commencement.

It’s been said good things come in threes. On Friday, Meridian Community College hosted three events – two health care programs’ pinnings and one commencement - as the Fall Semester 2021 ended, proving the adage true.

“Congratulations. We’re excited you’re going to be wearing the green, wherever you go,” said MCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner as he addressed Practical Nursing students, referring to the College’s school colors of green and white. “What a blessing it is to be able to watch these students to be able to walk across this stage today and fulfill the calling in their lives,” he added.

Practical Nursing grads pose at a photo booth before the pinning ceremony begins.Pinning ceremonies mark the completion of students’ academic work and welcoming soon-to-be graduate nurses into the nursing profession. Joshua Redmond, an Associate Degree Nursing Program student, brought his grandmother’s pin from her MCC Class of 1986 to be pinned on his uniform. “She inspired me to go into nursing,” said Redmond, who is a patient care tech at Anderson Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room Department.

The day's excitement continued as MCC students received their diplomas and certificates at the graduation ceremony.

MCC stages three commencements each school year in December, May, and August. Officials note the ceremonies are the pinnacle of any school year because it allows the College to celebrate student achievement publicly.

Circle of Excellence honorees are, from left, Jayla Smith, Camille McKenna, Robert Tabb, Jharmain Inge and Emily Williams.

During Friday’s commencement ceremony, five graduates, Jharmain Inge, Camille McKenna, Jayla Smith, Robert Tabb and Emily Williams were saluted as recipients in the College’s Circle of Excellence. The outstanding graduates were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.


Inge, a resident of Meridian, aspires to become and social worker and a pastor. McKenna, from Pachuta, wants to become an executive chef and run a successful food service operation. Smith, from Meridian, plans to work at a public school as a teacher and pursue a master’s degree in higher education. Tabb, from Demopolis, Ala., wants to continue to grow his private fine dining business and teach food science. Williams, from Meridian, aspires to teach math, science and history to elementary and middle school students.

Candidates for the graduation included: 

Alexandria A Bailey and Laura E. Carbonneau, both of Bailey; Monica Lynn Anthony and Keaireka Laniece Brinson, both of Brandon; Nikita Shantell Brown of Butler, Ala.; Clara Grace Allen of Caledonia; Onedaro Grant Dixon and Keyahda Nicole Smith, both of Carthage; Tori Lynn Ferguson and Eric Michael Hardy, both of Chunky; Billy Ford of Collins; Kasey Lynne Boswell, Jordan Makayla Colenberg, Michelle Lynn Eakes, Tiffany La'Shae Hornesbuger, Amanda Kay Osborne, Diamond N. Paylor, Emaree Danielle Reeves, Vi'Angela Luba Rivera, Leah DeAnn Sessums and Cameron L. Spivey, all of Collinsville;

Ke'Sha Gore and Franklin O. Poe, both of Columbus; Amanda Nicole Longmire of Connehatta; Lesley Yaray Herrera of Cornith; Latravis T. Hill and Phyllis Ladedria Watkins of Cuba, Ala.; Faith Leigh Ashmore of D’Lo; Joshua Christian Redmond of Daleville; Victoria N. Clark of Decatur; LaDasha R. Grace, LaKevon CarDarrius Roberts and Abby J. Rose, all of DeKalb; Robert Tabb of Demopolis, Ala.; Jacob Miguel Aguirre of Ellisville;

Marquis D. Brown, Samuel K. Downs, Mikala L. Evans, Amberly Nicole Jackson, Janeisha Shante Patton, Ashlyn Bailey Redmond and Destiny Nicole Waller, all of Enterprise; Emilee N. Polk of Forest; Arkemia Greer, Rosa Denise Reedy, and Jessica Marie Sullivan, all of Hattiesburg; Talia L. Leggett, Tatina Jamika Lott and Felicia Ann Newell, Heidelberg; Olivia Earlesha Barlow, Katherine James Kelly, and Arletha S. McDonald, all of Jackson; Ty'Asian Breaun Avery, Michayla Danielle Lard, Brandasia Gracianna Mosley, Quniesha Cierra Moss, Jacaitlyn Denay Munn, Shana Nikol Ruttley, Victoria McKenzie Rigdon, and Jayla Rheonna Smith, all of Lauderdale;

Victoria Chantell Ramagos, Chelsea Robinson and Carmen Nichole Smith, all of Laurel; Baleigh Nichole Germany of Lawrence; Adrian Payton Evans of Lisman, Ala.; Hannah Nichole Barefield and Brittany Walsh Smith, both of Little Rock; Jada Renee Jackson of Livingston, Ala.; Meagan Lynn Graham, Heather Nakole Hannah and Robyn Lynette White, all of Louisville; Ebony A. Sanders of Macon; Ciara La'Porsha Amerson, Kajsa Annette Cole, Zayveon Marquis Ellis, Stephanie Hodges and KarTrinia Marie Watson, all of Marion; Natasha Moore Hayes and Brandi Hayman, both of Mendenhall

Jerome Deshawn Adkins, Olivia M. Avera, Richard C. Axtell, Randal Ramon Bailey, Marcus A. Barber, Whitney E. Bartlett, Samantha M. Battles, Dekarian Kiwan Beasley, Cristina Noel Beckman, TaShanna Latris Bland, ShaKenya Quashane-Takis Blanks, Lakeasha D. Boyd, Jaleah Bramlett, Mackenzie K. Britt, Kierra K. Brown, Parisian Salece Brown, Kellye Denise Bryant, Tyshauna S. Bryant, Briana LaShae Carter, Lukelvin Chambers, Destiny T. Clark, Jeremiah J. Clark, Rita LaShelle Coates, Maliyah D. Cole, Krystal D. Coleman, Marcqus S. Collins, TraTia K. Foster, Ashley Nicole Gatewood, Thomas Reginald Gibbs, Tashena M. Gordon, Nicholas D. Graham, Aikiev S. Griffin, Jenna Lynette Griggs, Amber Louise Hall, Hannah Brooke Harwell, Averi Hope Hill, Tyra Jada Hopson, Jharmain Davion Inge, Steve Marion Ivy, JaQuan Arnez Jackson, Jaylon Johnson, Bill Karan, Taylor Diane Leder, Madison Victoria Leggett, Au'Zyunna Ty'Unne Lewis, Lexie Amber Locklear, Emily Paige Lucas, Takeema Shaunta Ludgood, Annie Mae Malone, Karis A. Mason, Aubrey L. McCary, Baleigh Necole Miller, Demontae Keshun Moss, Kacie Leanne Nabors, Kaela Dai'Seray Newell, Inise Ngumezi, Tierra Tashay Noble, Jordan Dianna O'Brien, Celeste Pederson, Joseph Tyler Poppy, Christopher Ray Rainer, Kortnee Roberts, Tracy Ruffin, Dakota Raeh Sanders, Joshua Tyler Shaw, Peyton Sheehan, Maryon O. Sillimon, Johnisha Sims, Tyler Bryce Slay, Keece Javon Sparrow, Lacy Skylar Spears, Jonathyn Spinks, Kameran Stringfellow, Brooke LaShea Tanner, DeJurnee Thomas, Quinton Luke Timms, Abigail F. Vega, Dewaun Anwaun Warren, Katie Elizabeth Weir, Christopher Michaels Williams, Emily C. Williams, Shayla Celeste Wilson, all of Meridian;

Natasha Bernice Clark of Millry, Ala.; Carlin Brooke Pope of Morton; Kimber Denise Bolton of New Augusta; Victoria Marie Straughter of New Hebron; Kirbee Lawson, Julia Camille McKenna and 

Akeriyon Rachel Wilder, all of Pachuta; Kelli Symonne Williams and Hannah Leann Woods, both of Pearl; Jerlisa Renee Brown, Virginia Easley, Alessandra R. Ely, Mikayla C. Griffin, Adelyn Ella Hilyer, Amber Keonna Jones, Amy K. Moss, Renita McMillan Perry, Matthew Ethan Sanders, Jamie Lee Thomas, Natasha Leann Wesley and Kaila B. Willis, all of Philadelphia; Terrioun Laquan Bohannon and Casaundra Audreanna Creer, both of Porterville; Morgan A. Clarke, Allison Jordan, and Summer La-Shelle Sosa, all of Quitman; April L. Hall of Raleigh; Latasha M. Cooper of St. James, La.; Marquita L. Smith of Shubuta; Kashayla Dashuna Lewis of Shuqualak; Meridith Laci Archer of Starkville; Brini Lasha Everette and Marquita Catherine Winborn, both of State Line; Santrez R. Pough of Stonewall

Courtlee Mikala Bridges, Emily N. Hocker, Vanlecia Marie Miller, Milton R. Tucker and Brendaysia L. Wallace, all of Toomsuba; Patricia Cathleen Todd of Toxey, Ala.; Taliyah J'Mya Tate of Tylertown; Janeisha S. Mason and Natalie McCoy Strickland, both of Union; William Lamar LaGrone of Vicksburg; and Katessa Reon Jones, Keri Alexandra McDonald, Kinlee M. Odom, LaSonya Tilynn Shanks, Jasmine A. Smith, Morgan Leanne Williams and Skyler M. Williams, all of Waynesboro.