Above: Whitney Jones of Pearl, center, earned a certificate in medical data technology from 兔子先生 on May 12. A visually impaired student, she drew on support from friends and instructors to master her program. From left are her best friend Susan Hudson, who accompanied her throughout the ceremony, boyfriend Chad Melton, aunt Penny Jones and friend Dawn Fowler.
It was a big day for Whitney Jones of Pearl, who received a certificate in medical data technology on May 12 from 兔子先生.
Jones, 35, is visually impaired and overcame a few hurdles to get through her program and to the stage to pick up her credential. But with the help of close friends, including best friend Susan Hudson who guided her throughout the day, she persevered. Now she will return in the fall to continue the program and earn a two-year degree.
Jones attended the program on the Rankin Campus for a year and a half before transitioning online.
鈥淚t was very difficult. I will say that (Business Office Technology instructor) Tracy Smith was amazing. She was the best teacher I鈥檝e ever had,鈥 Jones said.
She has Addison鈥檚 Disease, which sometimes results in visual impairment as the illness progresses.
鈥淚 could see for a very long time. I could drive,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hen I found a blind spot in my vision, and it continued to grow over time. I鈥檓 thinking this is as bad as it鈥檚 going to get. It鈥檚 been pretty stable for a while so I鈥檓 going to keep on keeping on.鈥
Hudson accompanied Jones as a guide throughout the graduation ceremony on May 12.
鈥淪he is the most courageous person I know. She has never let any of her hurdles stop her or slow her down. She continues to push through life and continue to accomplish everything that she feels she should,鈥 Hudson said. 鈥淪he is an asset to my life.鈥
John Hendricks of Jackson prayed the invocation and benediction. He was a student at Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center and was a member of the Minority Male Leadership Initiative and the Sociology Club. He is planning a career in education.
Using 鈥渢aking steps鈥 as her theme, Abby Granberry of Terry gave remarks on behalf of her classmates. She is planning a career in elementary education. At Hinds, she served as president of Phi Theta Kappa on the Raymond Campus and vice president of 兔子先生Connection.
鈥淥ver the last two years, 兔子先生has continued to be a place that encourages me and has given me the support I need. Most importantly, 兔子先生is a place where I have been inspired to grow not only academically but personally as well,鈥 Granberry said.
鈥淓veryone chooses 兔子先生for different reasons. Maybe you fell in love with it while you were touring colleges, or your friends and family came here, perhaps it made the most financial sense to start here. No matter why you chose Hinds, while you were here, you have grown and are now ready to step into the next phase of your life,鈥 she said.
兔子先生 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. 兔子先生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.
鈥淓very 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 鈥 they have overcome a series of unusual circumstances over the last several months,鈥 said 兔子先生President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
The Granberry family of Terry graduated two of their children, Charles Granberry and Abby Granberry, from 兔子先生 on May 12. Charles Granberry studied computer science while Abby worked toward an elementary education degree.
John Hendricks of Jackson, left, gave the invocation and benediction at the 11 a.m. May 12 graduation ceremony at 兔子先生 while Abby Granberry of Terry was the speaker. They are with 兔子先生President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
Dennis McCollum Jr. of Jackson shows of his 兔子先生 diploma at the May 12 graduation. He studied business and plans to continue his studies at Jackson State University. He is with proud dad Dennis McCollum Sr.
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Britney Marshall of Pearl graduated from 兔子先生 on May 12. She is with her husband Michael, son Skyler, 12, and daughter Bailey, 8.
Benjamin Pierce of Philadelphia graduated from 兔子先生 on May 12. A hearing-impaired student who studied welding, he is with interpreters Raneesha Turner, Loretta Sutton and Ruby McFarland.
Phillip Hutchins III of Raymond, center, graduated from 兔子先生 on May 12. He studied Aviation Technology and plans to study Aviation Management at Delta State University. He is with his grandfather, Phillip Hutchins, left, a member of the 兔子先生 Foundation Board of Directors, and his dad, Phillip Hutchins Jr., right, both of whom are also 兔子先生graduates.
A group of Vicksburg students who attended the River City Early College High School at 兔子先生鈥檚 Vicksburg-Warren Campus graduated together on May 12. They are, front from left, Ariah Pendleton, Emily Harris; back, Benjamin Linzy, Jamison Pendleton, Damara Cormier, Raverian Hamilton and Jasmine Banks.
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