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May 12, 2022

԰ CC graduates nursing/allied health students

"Every graduation ceremony is special to the college, as we celebrate the success of each student. It is important that we truly celebrate what our graduates have achieved – they…
BY: Cathy Hayden
Photography: Brad Smith

Above: Angelica Hardy of Pearl received an Associate Degree in Nursing from ԰ on May 11.

Angelica Hardy made it through ԰’s Associate Degree Nursing program on May 11 and is headed to a job at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson before she begins work on a bachelor’s degree.

Hardy, of Pearl, was among more than 100 who participated in the first of five graduation ceremonies, this one being for nursing and allied health graduates.

For her, nursing is the right profession and she enjoyed her time at ԰. “I’m a people pleaser and this is the perfect job to be in,” she said. “I met some of the closest friends in this program.”

԰ is graduating more than 1,300 students in one of four graduation ceremonies over two days May 11 and 12 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus and a fifth Saturday May 14 ceremony at J.D. Boyd Gymnasium on the Utica Campus. ԰ is awarding 1,671 certificates and degrees, with some students receiving more than one credential.

Of those graduating, 252 are graduating cum laude with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59; 199 are graduating magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.99, and 209 are graduating summa cum laude with a grade point average of 4.0.

“Every graduation ceremony is special to the college, as we celebrate the success of each student. It is important that we truly celebrate what our graduates have achieved – they have overcome a series of unusual circumstances over the last several months,” said ԰ President Dr. Stephen Vacik.

Chloe Bolton, 19, of Brandon, was the student speaker for the May 11 graduation ceremony. She received a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

In her remarks, she thanked her fellow graduates, classmates, family and ԰ instructors.

“I think I speak for all graduates when I say thank you for applying the pressure necessary to get us to this special part of our journeys,” she said. “Thank you for the pressure it took to help us turn into the diamonds of tomorrow so that when we leave, we can make the world a better place by mentoring and pouring into others as you have poured into us.”

John Carpenter of Madison, who earned an associate degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant program, prayed the invocation and benediction.

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Photo: Angie Foote

RAYMOND – ԰ Hi-Steppers have been named for 2024-2025.

They are, front, from left, Denver Jackson of Jackson, Zoe Irving of Jackson, Alexis Marts of Flowood, Amia Lewis of Byram, Cheyenne Cornelius of Clinton, Malayah Evans of Newton County, Erin Lollis of Byram, Skylar Boyd of Jackson and Jayda Graham of Flowood; back row, Alexis Malone of Clinton, Ciera Pruitt of Gulfport, Olivia Broadwater of Pearl, Chloee Haley of Clinton, Rylan Liles of Vicksburg, Chloe McHann of Clinton, Cori Turner of Jackson, Reaghan Miller of Clinton and Jakayla Brown of Utica.

The group has a new director, Beka King of Pearl. She is only the third director in the 75-year history of the Hi-Steppers. She herself was a Hi-Stepper from 2013-2015 and, during her sophomore year, she was captain of the team.

԰ offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and an extensive array of online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: ԰ is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Our Vision: ԰ will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Our Values: ԰ aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.԰CC.