HSE grads recognized for work, achievement during MCC ceremony
Participating in MCC’s HSE ceremony are back row from left Quardiacious Fennessee, Cody Jackson, Tobias Windham, Craven Smith, and Lisa Wadel. Seated from left are Colin Goodin, Emily Hatten, and Trinity Wilks.
In a ceremony celebrating completion and accomplishment, students who earned their
High School Equivalency (HSE) in 2023 were recognized during Meridian Community College’s
HSE Commencement.
Eight walked across the 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. Twenty individuals received their HSE diploma from July to December 2023 from MCC, including Krystal Bielefeld, Lillian Brunelle, Colin Goodin, Emily Hatten, Cody Jackson, Brian Lannan, Elijah McNair, Luke Miltimore, William Mitchell, Cooper Owen, Jackson Rush, Quardiacious Fennessee, Craven Smith, Kaytlynn Smith, Jacob Taylor, Taquaisha Thomas, Lisa Wadel, Samantha Warren, Trinity Wilks, and Tobias Windham. Bielefeld, Goodin, McNair, Taylor, and Wadel earned honors designations.
Two graduates, Colin Goodin and Lisa Wadel, were spotlighted for their achievements of excellence by earning a score of 165 or above on a subject area on the GED test.
Graduates Cody Jackson, Wadel, and William Mitchell were recognized for completing the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MIBEST) Program. Each student received a certificate, a blue and white graduation cord, and a $200 incentive. 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.
The 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. Plus, 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, and or join the military.
Guest speaker Tcarro Johnson, a Meridian Public School System educator, received her GED from MCC when she was 19. Johnson was the first person in her family to get a GED or high school diploma.
Johnson explained she came from a family that didn’t value education. “I grew up thinking education wasn’t needed. It was boring, so I dropped out of the eighth grade. I had a daughter at 19, and everything changed. I realized my future actions and decisions would directly impact her and her future. I wanted to be someone my daughter could admire and be proud of. I wanted to be a positive role model and show her that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself,” she shared.
“I felt like I needed to keep learning and growing, and that’s what I did,” Johnson said. She’s pursuing her doctorate in education after earning a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees.
She shared her favorite quote with the graduates: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
“I want you to know that believing in yourself is possible. Education is a great equalizer; it can open doors and create opportunities that may not be possible otherwise,” she added.
Visit meridiancc.edu/adulteducation to learn more about MCC’s Adult Education program.