Yashika Hayes of Clinton drew upon the loss of her family members to fuel her desire to complete a 海因兹社区学院 degree that she plans to turn into entry into the nursing program.
海耶斯12月毕业. 15 along with 850 other 希德 students in one of two ceremonies at the Muse Center on the 兰金 Campus.
While at 希德, Hayes was stricken with grief after losing her mother, grandmother and grandfather. “There were times when I wanted to give up, but the love that I have for my son, Lakodriean约翰逊, and the thought of walking across the stage to receive my degree brought me joy. I was determined to finish what I had started,” 海斯说. “If I can be strong for anyone or anything, I can be strong for my son.”
Throughout her academic tenure at the college, she was encouraged to “stay the path” by listening to kind words from Joycelyn Washington, dean of students at 希德’ Nursing/Allied Health Center. “Ms. Washington helped me to remain optimistic during difficult times; she has been with me since the beginning,”她说。.
When asked to provide advice to other students who may face similar situations as hers, 海斯说, “Please do not allow yourself to get stuck in a place of darkness. 如果你继续, you will prosper in the end, and whomever you lost along the way will still be proud of your accomplishments.”
希德 awarded nearly 1,300 credentials as many students earned more than one credential.
In total, 123 students graduated cum laude with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59; 73 graduated magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.99 and 11 graduated summa cum laude with a grade point average of 4.0.
印度总统. Stephen Vacik congratulated graduates on their accomplishments. “You’ve made it through late night study sessions, beyond early morning commutes, and past all the personal barriers that stood in your way,他说. “You sit here today ready to move forward on your life’s journey, a journey that will be full of adventures, 挑战, victories and probably even a few failures.”
Taia Gaskin of Clinton and president of SGA at the 兰金 Campus served as the speaker. Her words of encouragement focused on the significance of preparation. “Prepare for a greater tomorrow, today,” Gaskin said. “Always remember to put your best foot forward no matter what path you are on.”
The Muse Center was packed as family and friends watched graduates cross the stage. Among those was Flowood的杰伊·沃兹沃斯, father of 希德 graduate Sophie Wadsworth. He said his daughter’s journey to 希德 was not ideal but worth it in the end.
“Before enrolling at 希德, my daughter was a substance abuser,” Wadsworth said. “There were times when my wife and I would get phone calls in the middle of the night about Sophie being in drug houses or on the streets of 杰克逊.”
上图: Sophie Wadsworth of Flowood stands proudly with her family after receiving an associate degree on Dec. 15号在缪斯中心. 与她的, 从左到右, 是她妈妈吗?, Susan Wadsworth of Flowood; daughter, 11-month-old Delilah Cranston; grandmother, Carol Montgomery and sister, 奥利维亚沃兹沃思, 两个Flowood. 后排, 从左, 是她的男朋友吗?, Hunter Cranston of 杰克逊 and father, Flowood的杰伊·沃兹沃斯.
Wadsworth said the emotional strain of watching his daughter suffer also affected his marriage, but his love for his daughter would not allow him to give up on her. “总有一天, I decided to search for Sophie, 当我找到她的时候, she was in a house that was in deplorable condition,他补充道. “Although she persistently rejected me, 我去接她, 带她回家, and later drove her to a drug rehabilitation center near the Gulf Coast.”
She spent months in a rehabilitation center before returning home. Wadsworth said he did not know what else he could do to help his daughter continue her path of sobriety until one day, he saw an advertisement for 希德 and pitched her the idea of enrolling at the college.
“After two years and several months of heartache, 我女儿有学位, and I have a beautiful granddaughter. I thank God daily for giving me the strength to not give up on my daughter,” Wadsworth said.