Anderson Oconee Pickens

Tri-County Students Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony

CONTACT:  LISA GARRETT, 646-1506

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/11/2009
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Dr. Peggy Champion focused on two simple words – “I can” – during her address to Tri-County Technical College’s top students at an annual awards ceremony.

Dr. Champion, who leads the Veterinary Technology program at the College, spoke candidly of her adult daughter, Meg, who, in 1966, was born with a subdural hematoma which required multiple surgeries, one of which damaged the left hemisphere of her brain, which controls cognitive development.  Her right side was paralyzed, also.  Doctors proclaimed her retarded.  But the Champions treated Meg as normal and taught her to say, ‘I can.’  A homemade poster became their mantra – It read, ‘Champions never say I can’t; Champions always say I can.’

Those words were powerful motivators to her and her daughter, Dr. Champion recalled.  “I knew she could do anything, no matter what the doctors said,” she said of Meg, who despite cognitive damage was talking and writing at a young age and years later was making a B in math class.

Today Meg is deemed a medical miracle -- she is married and the mother of a son.  She’s also returned to college and is on the dean’s list every semester.  “She’s doing what many of you are doing,” said Dr. Champion, “juggling work and family responsibilities along with college studies.”

“Meg always says, ‘My mother made me say I can. Somewhere along the line it took,’” Dr. Champion said.  “All of you here tonight have said ‘I can.’”

Tri-County President Ronnie L. Booth congratulated the students, telling them they are part of a small select group of Tri-County’s 5,700 students who have been singled out and recognized for doing exceptional work. 

“There are two kinds of people in this world – people who curse the dark and people who turn on the lights.  You have separated yourselves and decided to turn on the lights.  You have worked hard and it will continue to separate you,” he said.

“You make us proud.  Be proud of yourselves,” he said, and reminded them to always say, ‘I can.’”

Dr. Booth presented the following students with awards:

Samuel Todd Groen, of Easley, received the Brian Ferguson Memorial Award for Welding.

Shelley Green Robinson, of Honea Path, was named Outstanding Accounting Student.

Tina Lynn Chavez, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Administrative Office Technology Student.

Joelynn Rosella Leopard, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Associate Degree Nursing Student.

Beverly Danielle Taylor, of Central, was named Outstanding Associate in Arts Student.

Bradley Justin Freeman, of Starr, was named Outstanding Associate in Science Student.

Joshua Corey Rigdon, of Pickens, was named Outstanding Comprehensive Studies Student.

Ryan Tyler Cook, of Belton, was named Outstanding Computer Technology Student.

Michele Lynsie Scovel, of Mountain Rest, was named Outstanding Criminal Justice Technology Student.

Phyllis Eugenia Bradley, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Early Childhood Development Student.

Calvin Esco Mann, of La France, was named Outstanding Electronics Engineering Technology Student.

Dana Marie Bradley, of Westminster, was named Outstanding English Student.

Amber Nicole Robbins, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Expanded Duty Dental Assisting Student.

Trent Douglas Randles, of Pendleton, was named Outstanding General Engineering Technology Student.

Kevin Curtis Beaty, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology Student.

Adriana Qelemati, of Clemson, was named Outstanding Humanities Student.

Travis W. Bell, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Industrial Electronics Technology Student.

Jason Greggory Rhodes, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Industrial Maintenance Technology Student.

William Alan Burton, of Walhalla, was named Outstanding Industrial Supervision Technology Student.

Crissy L. Roness, of Central, was named Outstanding Management Student.

Tristan L. Walters, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Math Student.

Daviette Bea Robinson, of Pendleton, was named Outstanding Medical Assisting Student.

Harmony Anne Hicks, of Townville, was named Outstanding Medical Laboratory Technology Student.

Carla Sue Rice, of Pendleton, was named Outstanding Practical Nursing Student.

Alan Douglas Rusnak, of Norris, was named Outstanding Pre-Pharmacy Student.

Dustin Gil Short, of Pickens, was named Outstanding Radio and Television Broadcasting Student.

Lauren R. Woodward, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Respiratory Care Student.

Richard E. Freemantle, of Williamston, was named Outstanding Science Student.

Phillip Shawn Collins, of Sandy Springs, was named Outstanding Social Science Student.

Denise Kay Grant, of West Union, was named Outstanding Student Support Services Student.

Lynsey Nicole Higgins, of Belton, was named Outstanding Surgical Technology Student.

Stephanie Lynn Merkel, of Mauldin, was named Outstanding Veterinary Technology Student.

Matthew Blake West, of Easley, was named Outstanding Welding Student.

April Suzanne Chandler, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Phi Theta Kappa Student.

Thomas Jermaine Dawkins, of Central, was named Outstanding Student Government Association Student.

The 2008 - 2009 Student Government Association officers were honored for their service:  Victoria Catherine Frost-Brown, of Easley, president; Thomas Jermaine Dawkins, of Central, vice president; Raymond Leques James, of Anderson, treasurer; and Allison Uwem Ekwere, of Piedmont, secretary.
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