Ask Yourself How You Can Be Better Today Than
You Were Yesterday, Dr. Ronnie Booth Tells Tri-County Graduates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/13/2008
(By Lisa Garrett)
ANDERSON --- President Ronnie L. Booth asked Tri-County Technical College’s Class of 2008 to adopt an Olympian athlete’s mindset for their life’s goals and to strive to be a better people today than they were yesterday.
Two hundred graduates received degrees, diplomas and certificates at Tri-County’s summer commencement held August 12 at the Anderson Civic Center.
“This week the world is focusing on the Olympics,” said Dr. Booth. “Believe it or not, you graduates and Olympic athletes have much in common – each of you has a story to tell about the journey that you have been on. Each of you has set a goal, aimed high and has sacrificed to attain those goals,” he said.
“Every runner has number in mind, a time, a record. Those goals usually mean more than just that number. The ultimate goal is to be the best. You had a certificate, diploma or degree in mind. This is not the end goal, but one along the way to your ultimate goal.”
But, he added, you have to make sacrifices, and no goal worth attaining is easy or cheap. “No athlete accomplishes his or her goals without making sacrifices. Each of you has had to make sacrifices to accomplish your goals. Your family and friends also have made sacrifices and for that you should be grateful.”
He concluded: “It’s not enough to just attain that goal -- you must continually improve and continually train and learn. You can’t put it in cruise control. Your work has just started. Ask yourself how you can be better today than you were yesterday. Part of continuous improvement is giving back and teaching others as a mentor, a friend, or an employer.”
Following Dr. Booth’s address, he and other college officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the following graduates:
ANDERSON COUNTY
FROM ANDERSON:
Anthony Dale Barnette, Welding; Sonya C. Bracone, Respiratory Care; Janice Elaine S. Broadwell, Medical Assisting; Lakesha L. Brownlee, Early Childhood Development; Katie Lavinia Cox, Nursing; Cindy Kollette Culbertson, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; Ashley Nicole Dean, Associate in Arts; Ashley Nichole Dickerson, Associate in Science; Sandra Shanta Estrich, Early Childhood Development; David Lee Fleshman II, University Transfer; Anna Maurisa Foster, Criminal Justice Technology; Nakeisha S. Gaines, Practical Nursing; Lacreta Twana Geer, Practical Nursing; Jared Joseph Gibson, Engineering Graphics Technology; Galen J. Glover, Office Systems Technology; Danyll Lynn Gonzalez, Associate in Arts; Gerald Matthew Guthrie, Associate in Arts; Stephanie Lauren Hawkins, Surgical Technology; Theresa Ann Heard-Zellars, Management; Michele Koltow Henry, Early Childhood Development; Katie J. Hill, Respiratory Care; Melissa Jean Arnold Hines, Surgical Technology; Hannah Beth Johnson, Management; Tracy Ann Jones, Surgical Technology; Michelle A. Kettere, Medical Assisting; Willis Alonzo King, Jr., Crime Scene Investigations; Cassie Deann Lecroy, Medical Office Specialist; Janie Marie Lee, Medical Assisting; Jordan Angela Long, Practical Nursing; Ryan S. Madray, Associate in Arts; Bonita Gordon Marshall, Associate in Arts; Erin Lea Maurin, Practical Nursing; Brittany N. McAdams, Surgical Technology; Crystal Marie McAdams, Practical Nursing; Susan Denise McAlister, Practical Nursing; Caroline Elizabeth McCallum, Surgical Technology; Nicki Nicole McClain, Office Systems Technology; Stephanie Hope McLane, Practical Nursing; Felix Shoun Miller, Welding; Leslie Seawright Moore, Office Systems Technology; Billy Gene Morgan, Jr., Electronics Engineering Technology; Eric M. Nevel, Associate in Arts; Corey A. Oxendine, Radio and TV Broadcasting; Brigette A. Parsley, Criminal Justice Technology; Kimberly Lane Pearson, Medical Assisting; April D. Powell, Practical Nursing; Monica Maria Harris Sanchez, Surgical Technology; Vicky Glenn Shaw, Respiratory Care; Alydia Camille Sims, Associate in Arts; Crystal Nicole Slaughter, Practical Nursing; Beth Ann Stazione, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; Lucia Rose Stewart, Associate in Arts; Jessica Jane Sullivan, Medical Assisting; Teresa Willard Summers, Management; Detrice O. Thompson, Criminal Justice Technology; Alyson Renee Whitt, Respiratory Care; Gregory T. Wiles, Industrial Electronics Technology; Elisa Lynn Williams, Surgical Technology; and Tamekia Jo Williams, Surgical Technology.
FROM BELTON:
April Lynn Black, Practical Nursing; Carrie Elizabeth Childs, Medical Assisting; Rayford R. Hunter, Radio and TV Broadcasting; Melissa Swink Lee, Surgical Technology; Kathleen Faye Lowery, Practical Nursing; Latisha Rena Newell, Surgical Technology; and Crystal Monika Smith, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting.
FROM HONEA PATH:
Cassie Nicole Lusk, Office Systems Technology
FROM IVA:
Stephen Christopher Weymouth, Criminal Justice Technology
FROM PELZER:
Andrea Joy Cole, Office Systems Technology; Ashley Nicole Haynes, Medical Assisting; Donna E. Shirley, Practical Nursing; and Jessica L. Taylor, Practical Nursing.
FROM PENDLETON:
Lisa Rollins Beard, Office Systems Technology; Ronak Patel, Associate in Science; Ashley Anne Patterson, Respiratory Care; Heather R. Specht, Criminal Justice Technology; Caroline Maxzine Williams, Data Entry Clerk; and Latosha Tamika Williams, Medical Assisting.
FROM PIEDMONT:
Melanie Renee Ison, Practical Nursing
FROM SANDY SPRINGS:
Brittany Morgan Poore, Associate in Arts
FROM STARR:
Kevin Eric Price, Electrical Power & Controls I
FROM TOWNVILLE:
Angela Denise Mark, Medical Assisting
FROM WILLIAMSTON:
Mitchell Ross Garner, Gas and Arc Welding; Summer Denise Scott, Surgical Technology; and Ivan Vargas, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.
OCONEE COUNTY
FROM MOUNTAIN REST:
Daniel Lee Moore, Associate in Arts; and Kirstie Leigh Peden, Practical Nursing.
FROM SALEM:
Dwan Nelson Oliver, Surgical Technology; and Karen Anita Wilson, Industrial Maintenance.
FROM SENECA:
Cara Joy Apperson, Introduction to Quality Assurance; Tristan Ragnar Axson, Associate in Arts; Lia A. Brady, Medical Assisting; Charlotte Renee Cooper, Surgical Technology; Olivia Nicole Cothran, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; Allyson Faye Davis, Surgical Technology; Jennifer Louise Dunston, Surgical Technology; Tasheila Latonya Gambrell, Surgical Technology; Tara Reeova Leigh Hayter, Office Systems Technology; Lisa Michelle Herbert, Medical Assisting; Frinda Faye Jackson, Early Childhood Development; Kimberly L. Keen, Surgical Technology; Laura Kathryn Kelley, Surgical Technology; Toni Nicole Kelley, Office Systems Technology; John Michael Logan, Management; Charles Joseph Martino, Associate in Arts; Chasity L. McGuffin, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; Jennifer Leah Moss, Associate in Arts; Sarah Faye Nix, Practical Nursing; Litta Lanette Oglesby, Medical Assisting; Stacy N. Perdelwitz, Early Childhood Development; Becky Lee Putnam, Early Childhood Development; Amanda Grace Scott, Associate in Arts; Mollie Bliss Smith, Management; LeeAnn Storen, Respiratory Care; and Linda K. Worley, Management.
FROM WALHALLA:
Joseph Andrew Murphy, Industrial Electronics Technology; Shonta Nicole Childs Palmer, Medical Assisting; and Stephanie Megan Whitworth, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting.
FROM WEST UNION:
William Gerald Dukes, Associate in Arts; Troy Marshall Fuller, Management; and Kimberly Jo Goss, Surgical Technology.
FROM WESTMINSTER:
Tessa Lee Gardner, Associate in Arts; Georgie D. Marcengill, Medical Assisting; Angela Mary McCurley, Early Childhood Development; Chastitie D. Roach, Surgical Technology; Bridget Dawn Smith, Office Systems Technology; Kelly Lynn Smith, Practical Nursing; Jessica M. Suttles, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; Teresa Gale Taylor, Respiratory Care; and Jennifer L. Wirtz, Respiratory Care.
PICKENS COUNTY
FROM CENTRAL:
Amanda Lynn Braun, Criminal Justice Technology; Jason Noell Cox, Computer Technology; Sondra Rose Dooley, Practical Nursing; Randall Lonnie Antonio Fruster, Management; Claire Jean Gelinas, Practical Nursing; Rachel Evans Goss, Early Childhood Development; Melissa Diane Hadden, Surgical Technology; Jeremy Shaun Holder, Industrial Electronics Technology; Jeremiah Ray Hurley, Management; Rokesha L. Peppers, Medical Office Specialist; and Jeffrey Glenn Stevens, Criminal Justice Technology.
FROM CLEMSON:
James Brandon Benson, Industrial Electronics Technology; Brenda Lee Devlin, Machine Tool Technology; Sarah Elizabeth Drummond, Associate in Arts; Brooks L. Dunn, Early Childhood Development; Matthew Allen Earles, Computer Technology; Michael Wayne Henderson, Computer Technology; and Joy Elizabeth McGuire, Computer Technology.
FROM EASLEY:
Vanessa Ann Baker, Respiratory Care; Kimberly Renee Dickard, Marketing; Eric Randall Freeman, Industrial Maintenance; Eric J. Graham, Radio and TV Broadcasting; Emily Joy Henson, Associate in Arts; Amanda Leigh Page, Practical Nursing; Kathi Anne Kelley, Respiratory Care; Tonia Booth McClain, Office Systems Technology; Amy G. Metcalf, Practical Nursing; Zachary T. O'Diear, Welding; John Jason Painter, Basic Machining; Joseph W. Ravan. Jr., Respiratory Care; Deborah A. Redd, Medical Assisting; Deborah Sally Shirley, Associate in Arts; Trina Lynn Sloan, Data Entry Clerk; Joyce A. Steele, Surgical Technology; and Darolyn Jennifer Stratton, Criminal Justice Technology.
FROM LIBERTY:
Lindsey Virginia Campbell, Associate in Science; Kristen Medlin Gallant, Office Systems Technology; Kimberly Nicole Hunter, Office Systems Technology; Addie Belinda Leslie, Marketing; Ashley Lynn Medlin, Office Systems Technology; Beth Revis Reece, Surgical Technology; and Calli Natasha Reed, Medical Assisting.
FROM NORRIS:
Shavon Nichole Gilstrap, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting
FROM PICKENS:
Jason Scott Edwards, Surgical Technology; Sonya Amaris Parker Hester, Office Systems Technology; Dawn Sentell Munn, Office Systems Technology; Justin Lee Owens, Industrial Electronics Technology; Evelyn Ellison Reid, Practical Nursing; Ronnie Joe Smith, Welding; and Chadrick Lee Stewart, Machine Tool Technology.
FROM SIX MILE:
Samantha Lynn Gillespie, Criminal Justice Technology; Margie Dianne K. Lackey, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; and Flora F. Patterson, Medical Assisting.
FROM ABBEVILLE:
Kimberly Dawn Bone, Practical Nursing; Amy Marie Giles, Practical Nursing; Heather Renee Graham, Expanded Duty Dental Assisting; and Daphine Shanta Jackson, Surgical Technology.
FROM CALHOUN FALLS:
Daphene TeVerria Lomax, Surgical Technology
GREENVILLE COUNTY
FROM DONALDS:
David Lee Lindsay, Industrial Electronics Technology
FROM GREENVILLE:
Larry Kevin Bell, Radio and TV Broadcasting; Greg Dale Lum, CNC; and Quiana Tirzah Wynn, Nursing.
FROM GREER:
Abigale Delaine Belcher, Associate in Arts
FROM SIMPSONVILLE:
William Robert Matthews, Associate in Arts
FROM TAYLORS:
Travis Lewis Moon, Welding
GREENWOOD COUNTY
FROM GREENWOOD:
Carmen Y. Hampton, Practical Nursing
FROM WARE SHOALS:
Carla McCoy Weathersbee, Industrial Supervision Technology
RICHLAND COUNTY:
FROM COLUMBIA:
Megan Leigh Taylor, Associate in Arts
OUT OF STATE:
FROM LOUISVILLE, KY:
Jennifer Perry Ballinger, Practical Nursing
FROM MECHANICSVILLE, VA:
Martina Lee Bosdell, Associate in Arts |
Oconee