Hinds CC Graduate: ‘Shoot Beyond the Stars
“Hinds has taught me to shoot beyond the stars because only stars soar. I am here today to tell each and every one of you to reach for the stars.”
“Hinds has taught me to shoot beyond the stars because only stars soar. I am here today to tell each and every one of you to reach for the stars.”
“Hinds has helped me grow as a person and as a student. Transitioning from high school to college…”
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.
At age 38, she proudly donned a cap and gown for a ceremony to celebrate passing the tests to receive her High School Equivalency Diploma, a process that took her several years to complete.
“We attended college during a pandemic. Many of us may have also had other struggles outside of the pandemic or struggles that the pandemic made even worse. Yet, we did not let those obstacles hold us back, so, again, well done.”
“She 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,” Hudson said.
The Jackson native and 1963 Lanier High School graduate had returned to school about five years ago to work on a college degree he’d long thought about, but just hadn’t finished.
“It’s been crazy getting here,” he said. “But after 31 years in the making, it’s special.”
“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 Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
“Hinds has been absolutely incredible to my journey, more than I could have ever imagined. I had been home-schooled and came to Hinds five years after I had finished high school. I was unsure how I would do, but I was able to thrive here because of the instructors and small class sizes.”