Hinds Community College held four outside graduation ceremonies July 29-Aug. 1, including three drive-through ceremonies at Eagle Ridge Conference Center. More than 600 students participated over the four days. A ceremony on July 31 honored graduated in career-technical education programs. Each graduate was greeted by the new college president, Dr. Stephen Vacik, who took office on July 1, and cheered on by members of the Executive Leadership Team, all of whom wore masks.
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Fantashia Burns of Jackson graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She already has a job working for the Westin Hotel in Jackson but is hoping her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management will pave the way to a promotion. “I already had some education with Hinds. I wanted to have a sense of completion,” said Burns, 28. A co-worker who was already in the program suggested it to Burns. “I’m hoping to move up in management and branch out to another state,” she said. She is with her son Alec, 4, who attends the Early Childhood program at Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hazel Williams of Jackson earned three credentials in Early Childhood Technology on Friday, July 31. She participated in one of four-drive through graduation ceremonies. “I already have a job but I wanted to continue my education in something I love,” said Williams, 39. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Francesca Willis of Jackson graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. Her next step may be nursing school. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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T’angela West of Carpenter graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She is planning to attend Alcorn State University and major in social work as her next step. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Tiffany Johnson of Brandon graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She is planning to stay at Hinds for nursing school. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Jamila Wynn of Pearl graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She is planning to transfer to the University of Alabama for a marketing degree. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Jumika Brown of Jackson graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She received a credential in culinary arts and plans to open her own business. “It wasn’t that hard, with the help of the Lord,” she said. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Trinity Burge of Clinton graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She is planning to attend Mississippi State University for a secondary education degree teaching math. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Kizzy Shavers of Bolton, right, already has a job as a chef working for Jackson State University, but on Friday, July 31 she graduated from Hinds Community College with a degree in culinary arts. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hinds employee Wanda Massey helps Xinyu Zhang of Brandon, who graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. He is planning to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi and major in business. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Roby Vasquez of Pearl graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. He received a degree in animation and simulation design and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Michael Evilsizor of Brandon is already a chef at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, but at age 40 received a culinary arts degree from Hinds Community College. He participated in one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies on Friday, July 31 (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik waves as Annie Hart of Jackson drives through the portico at Eagle Ridge Conference Center. Hart graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She attended Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center and received a degree in Hospitality and Tourism. “I am already working but I wanted more pay. When I go for general manager, it will help with my promotion,” said Hart, who is 50. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik congratulates Jeremiah Banks of Jackson, who graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. He received a degree in criminal justice and plans to get a job at a local police department or go into the National Guard. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik congratulates Manuel Morris of Jackson, who graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. He received a degree in electronic technology. He plans to transfer to either Alcorn State University or Mississippi State University and play basketball. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik congratulates Lakisha Manning of Byram, who graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She received a degree in industrial maintenance and next month starts a job with Continental Tires in Clinton. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Francheska Oliver of Ridgeland graduated from Hinds Community College on Friday, July 31 at one of four drive-through graduation ceremonies. She received a credential in medical data technology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
