HSE grads applauded for achievements
In a ceremony celebrating completion and accomplishment, students who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) were recognized during Meridian Community College’s HSE Commencement.
The recipients walked across the McCain Theater stage, shook hands with MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner, and later moved the white tassels on their green mortarboards to the left, symbolizing graduating from the College’s Adult Education Program with their credentials.
Thirty-nine individuals earned their HSE diploma through MCC during the past year including Mary Alexander, MaKayla Bolen, Alicia Brunson, Tametra Camper, John Stephen Castilaw, Terrica Cotton, April Dotson, Rebecca Dunnam, Bryan Espinoza, Belinda Gordon, Iyanna Gray, Nylajah Gray, La’Darrius Hampton, Kevin Henderson, Beyonce Horton, Diedra Houston, Ana Grace Howell Martinez, John Carl Howell, Jabari Johnson, Aubrey Jordan, Brodie Kennedy, Anna Lee, Jacob Daniel Litchfield, Brittany Logan, Camilla McDurmond, Jeniesia Merritt, Kym’Mara Pearson, Anthony James Phillips II, Kwanza Sade Pratt, Kamree Rigsby, Alaina Rodgers, Braden T. Schnoor, Brianna Fantasia Smith, Shatina Stephens, Le’Quisha Taylor, Taylor Thoms, Linda Gail White, and April Williams.
Brodie Kennedy, Taylor Thoms, and MaKayla Bolen earned honor medallions; they were spotlighted for their excellence by achieving a score of 165 or above on the GED or HSE test and demonstrating excellence in language arts, science, social studies, and math.
Jeniesia Merritt and Le’Quisha Taylor were recognized for completing the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MIBEST) Program. Each student received a certificate and a blue and white graduation cord. The MIBEST Program allows adult education students to enroll in college credit or workforce training courses and earn a High School Equivalency at the same time.
Jabari Johnson, Brittany Logan, Kwanza Pratt, and Brianna Fantasia Smith were also recognized as MIBEST honorees who will continue their academic journey.
Saluted for earning their National Career Readiness Certificate were Braden Schnoor and Brianna Smith, gold; Mary Alexander, MaKayla Bolen, Tametra Camper, John Castilaw, April Dotson, Bryan Espinoza, Iyanna Gray, Nylajah Gray, La’Darrius Hampton, Kevin Henderson, Ana Grace Howell Martinez, Aubrey Jordan, Anna Lee, Jeniesia Merritt, Kym’Mara Pearson, Anthony Phillips, Kwanza Pratt, Kamree Rigsby, Le’Quisha Taylor, April Williams, and Linda White, silver; and Rebecca Dunnam, Jabari Johnson, Jacob Daniel Litchfield, Brittany Logan, Camilla McDurmond, and Shatina Stephens, bronze.
Additional accolades were given to Jabari Johnson as the recipient of the $1,000 Gloria Blackshear Brown HSE Scholarship, and Rebecca Dunnam for the Rising Eagle Scholarship.
Meridian Community College offers the High School Equivalency Test through the Adult Education program, and when an examinee successfully passes the test, MCC offers one free academic or workforce class. The Adult Education program provides foundational assistance in math, reading, and writing to help students gain skills needed to earn an HSE diploma, go to college, enter the workforce, and or join the military.
Visit meridiancc.edu/adulteducation to learn more about MCC’s Adult Education program.