Above: The speaker for the Hinds Community College July 28 nursing and allied health graduation ceremony was Kevin Nelson of Florence who received an Associate Degree in Nursing. He is a pediatric licensed practical nurse at Children’s of Mississippi who attended night classes. After graduation he plans to work on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Hinds Community College nursing classmates Sergio Sanchez San Juan of Pearl and Patricia Doty of Byram each brought a spouse and four children to their graduation ceremony on July 28. Both celebrated receiving their Associate Degree in Nursing.
Sanchez San Juan, 31, is planning to continue his education and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. “I have a plan to keep going and get the CRNA. That’s the ultimate goal,” he said.
Celebrating with him was his wife Ordalia and their four children, ages 8, 4, 3 and 1. “I couldn’t do it without her,” he said. He works for the Flowood Fire Department as an emergency medical technician. His coworkers “have been very supportive.”
Doty, 40, was also a paramedic for 15 years. “I’m a returning student,” she said. “I decided to come back to school because I knew I could do more with my life.”
Now she has a job lined up in the ICU at St. Dominic’s. Her husband Sam was likewise supportive helping with their children ages 13, 10, 6 and 2. “I don’t know how I did it with four babies, but I did,” she said.
Dymonte Bouldin of Madison led the invocation and benediction for the nursing and allied health ceremony. He received a credential in Practical Nursing. While attending classes at the Nursing/Allied Health Center, he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and class president. He is employed at Behavioral Health at Merit Health Center.
“Every graduate here today has people who have supported their journey or encouraged them in some way, whether it be family, friends, or a favorite instructor who has been meaningful to you,” Nelson said. “I am here as a representative of this class to say, ‘Thank you, you may never know how important you were.’ ”
Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik challenged the new graduates to “pursue a path of service to others. Make a difference in the world. We need more change agents and fewer channel changers.
“Give each task in life your best effort and then give just a little more. Work hard, accomplish much and view each obstacle along the way as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block,” he said.
Hinds Community College awarded 653 degrees and certificates to 555 students in two graduation ceremonies on Thursday, July 28.
Of those graduating, 120 graduated cum laude with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59; 62 graduated magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.99 and 84 graduated summa cum laude with a grade point average of 4.0.
Sergio Sanchez San Juan of Pearl received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Hinds Community College on July 28. He is with wife Ordalia and their four children.
Kirsten Bruce of Vicksburg is surrounded by family as she celebrates receiving a degree in Dental Assisting from Hinds Community College on July 28.
Patricia Doty of Byram received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Hinds Community College on July 28. She is with Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik. Behind them is Hinds Community College Foundation Executive Director Matt Jones.
Casey Stewart of Jackson decorated her mortarboard with “Mommy Did It LPN 2022” while her three children ages 11, 9 and 4 wore shirts that added “And She Did It For Us.”
Noah Nielsen of Vicksburg celebrated his Hinds Community College graduation on July 28 with his wife Cidney, son Sawyer, grandfather Bill Muirhead and grandmother Jenny Muirhead. Taking their photo is Hinds Associate Vice President Dr. Stephanie Hudson.
Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik is with student graduation speakers Dymonte Bouldin of Madison, left, and Kevin Nelson of Florence, right. They were participants in the nursing and allied health ceremony on July 28 at Hinds Community College.
Sheridan Morris of Vicksburg checks in with Kathy Elliott, Dean of Health Sciences, who called the names of graduates at the nursing and allied health graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College on July 28. Morris received an Associate Degree in Nursing.
Patricia Doty of Byram received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Hinds Community College on July 28. She is with her husband Sam and their four children.
Stephanie Walls of Clinton, left, received a degree in Dental Assisting Technology from Hinds Community College on July 28. With her are mom Erica Walls, center, and her aunt, Alejandra Berra, far right.
Stephanie Walls of Clinton, left, was delighted to see her aunt Alejandra Berra who came from St. Louis to see her receive a degree in Dental Assisting Technology from Hinds Community College on July 28.
Jessi Morgan Peagler of Brandon, left, and Cyla Logan of Edwards took a selfie together before their graduation at Hinds Community College on July 28.
Dymonte Bouldin of Madison led the invocation and benediction for the nursing and allied health graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College on July 28. He received a credential in Practical Nursing. While attending classes at the Nursing/Allied Health Center, he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and class president. He is employed at Behavioral Health at Merit Health Center.
Victoria Coleman of Flora received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Hinds Community College on July 28. She is with her mom Flonetta Coleman, center, and daughter Jessica Coleman, right.
