You are Embarking on Chapter of Your Lives Filled with Changes and
Challenges, President Booth Tells Tri-County's Summer Grads

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 1506

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/19/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- As graduates of Tri-County Technical College, you are embarking on a chapter of your lives that will be filled with changes as well as challenges, the College's President Ronnie L. Booth told the 204 graduates at the summer commencement at the Anderson Civic Center. He advised them to seize this opportunity and hold on to it for all it is worth.

"I like to think, of life as a series of adventures in the context of a lifelong pilgrimage," said Dr. Booth, who became Tri-County's third president on July 1. "Life is a series of challenges, adventures and opportunities to grab hold of and live for all they are worth because we may never have a chance to go that particular way again.

"Your life is one to live to the fullest, to enjoy, to share and appreciate and for which to be thankful," he added.

"Life is to be lived, not endured. Every day is the best day of your life, not just the first day of the rest of your life," said Dr. Booth, who served as vice president for external programs at Gainesville College in Gainesville, GA, before joining Tri-County. "Live it, squeeze it, and enjoy it for all it is worth. Dare to live your life. No one else can do it for you."

He shared a few truisms with the graduates and asked them to employ them in their new adventures.

Neutrality is not an option. "You cannot not make a difference. Every day you will affect others with your actions and attitudes. You will leave something with everyone with whom you come into contact," he said.

Life is a series of choices. "You are an agent of change, not a victim. Some prefer to remain a helpless victim of circumstances while others take charge of their circumstances and turn them to their advantage. We often have absolutely no control over the circumstances in which we find ourselves. You do not have a choice not to choose to respond. Our only choice is how to respond," he said.

Life is not a zero sum game. "You and your fellow graduates may progress through the job market and life at different paces. You need to see life not so much as a contest with others but as a contest with yourself. If you excel at what you do, the rewards will come. Celebrate them when they come for you and when they come for others," he said.

He added that many have lived hectic lives up to this point in their lives. "Find time in your life for yourself and your family. You will live life longer and enjoy the ride a whole lot more if you do."

Following the address, President Booth and other College officials presented degrees, diplomas and certificates to the 204 graduates:

From Anderson:
John Christopher Barmore, Industrial Electronics Technology; Keesha Leann Baskin, Practical Nursing; Johanna Elena Betancourt, Engineering Graphics Technology; Tara Denice Blanding, Practical Nursing; Jessica Gail Bleckley, Industrial Electronics Technology; Justin Thomas Bond Industrial Mechanics; Ronald Allen Brookover, Surgical Technology; Lois M. Burdette, Business Technology; Abbie Lauren Chapman, Associate in Arts; Miranda Julieann Cobb, Dental Assisting; Jennifer Leigh Corcoran, Associate in Arts; Melissa Lowie Croft, Surgical Technology; Christy Leshell Crouch, Accounting; Crystal Joi Dacus, Associate in Science; Khristy Canitha Davis, Office Systems Technology; Melissa Ann Deaton, Phlebotomy; Matthew Lee Dial, Computer Technology; Amanda Rose Drake, Surgical Technology; Barbara J. Ellis, Criminal Justice Technology; Corey Heath Evans, Associate in Arts; Holly Denise Evans, Electrocardiology; Lacey Leigh Evans, Practical Nursing; Tamer Issam Fallous, Computer Technology; Lorin Devin Gailey, General Engineering Technology; Michael Scott Gaillard, Associate in Science; Erica Leigh Harmon, Dental Assisting; Jeremy Kyah Hicks, Associate in Science; Cynthia Eudy Hill, Medical Assisting; Jacqueline Onasis Jackson, Medical Assisting; Michael Larry Jones, Criminal Justice Technology; Tilly Boniche Jordan, Computer Technology; Jennifer Lynn Keeney, Medical Assisting; Alyosef Taha Labashabazid, Business Technology; Larry Keith Lanier, Welding; Chad Daniel Latham, Industrial Electronics Technology; Chastity Newton Lee, Surgical Technology; Violet Lieu, Computer Technology; Kayla Lynn Looney, Phlebotomy; Melissa Cheryl Mann, Dental Assisting; Amanda Leigh Mattison, Associate in Arts; Shalesia Juawana Mattison, Medical Assisting; Kiki Johnson Mattress, Surgical Technology; Sheena Lamia McIntosh, Associate in Arts; Lindsey Rebecca Montjoy, Practical Nursing; Angela Marie Mullinax, Practical Nursing; Everett Francis Neipp, Jr. General Engineering Technology; Roger Dale Nix, Business Technology; Danny Ray Norris, Associate in Arts; Lorrie Lynn Pike, Surgical Technology; Amanda Lea Powers, Surgical Technology; Robert B. Raynor, Criminal Justice Technology; Brian Tony Richardson, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Technology; Lindsey Elizabeth Sanders, Medical Assisting; Tonya Elizabeth Sanders, Respiratory Care; Whitney Hope Sanders, Practical Nursing; Ryan Michael Seigler, Computer Technology; April Lynn Sloan, Associate in Arts; Teresa Lynn Smith, Office Systems Technology; Charlena Ann Taylor, Dental Assisting; Heather Renee' Taylor, Medical Assisting; Randall Garland Vickery, Computer Technology; Carl Nathan Wentzky, Surgical Technology; Jennifer Brown Wham, Respiratory Care; Deanne Leigh Williams, Practical Nursing; and Richard Cameron Wright, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Technology.

From Belton:
Angela Renae Anderson, Early Childhood Development; Crystal Lynn Vaughn, Practical Nursing; and Renee Kimberly Vaughn, Surgical Technology.

From Honea Path:
Ashley Frederick Cook, Dental Assisting.

From Iva:
Rachel Amanda Dyar, Medical Assisting.

From Pendleton:
Frederick Donyel Blanding, Computer Technology; Joshua James Coale, Industrial Mechanics; Matthew Brian Lockaby, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Technology; Sara Rebecca McGraw, Respiratory Care; and LaTonya Denise Pretty, Surgical Technology.

From Piedmont:
Stacey Renee Palmer, Electrocardiology;

From Sandy Springs:
Casey Nicole Bridges, Practical Nursing.

From Starr:
Candice Danielle Clinkscales, Practical Nursing; and Lindsey Renee Morgan, Surgical Technology.
From Townville:
Michael David Blizzard, Associate in Science; Sherri Lynn Ferstl, Medical Assisting; Patricia Jo French, Practical Nursing; Patricia Marie Grant, Medical Assisting; and Tracy Gail Whitten, Accounting.

From Williamston:
Addie Daroleen Nalley, Early Childhood Development.

From Fair Play:
Michael Cline Bramlett, Industrial Maintenance; Carmen Lucia Crawford, Computer Technology; and Christopher Richard Crawford, Surgical Technology.

From Mountain Rest:
Nicholas Ryan Hamor, Engineering Graphics Technology.

From Salem:
Azure Leigh Herron Gilstrap, Accounting.

From Seneca:
Lisa Michelle Adams-Upchurch, Practical Nursing; Angela Hope Atkins, Practical Nursing; Katrin Beasley, Computer Technology; Patricia Ann Goodine, General Engineering Technology; Teresa Elaine Goodine, Medical Assisting; Nancy Carol Goss, Office Systems Technology; Richard Joseph Haddad, Industrial Mechanics; Kelli Leann Hardenbrook, Surgical Technology; Carrie Lynn Henderson, Practical Nursing; Erin Precious Holtzclaw, Surgical Technology; Karen Denise Kilpatrick, Computer Technology; Kimberly Anita LaFollette, Practical Nursing; Michelle Lee Laplume, Surgical Technology; April Michelle Meldau, Phlebotomy; Drew Edger Merck, General Engineering Technology; Jarrett Benjamin Mize, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Technology; Kevin Carl Mueller, Engineering Graphics Technology; Felicia Elizabeth Poole, Practical Nursing; Tabatha Michelle Robinson, Surgical Technology; Mary Magdaline Roybal, Accounting; Evita Laquanna Smith, Electrocardiology; Prattera Ann Smith, Surgical Technology; Patricia Kay Toney, Associate in Arts; and Beth Megan Turpin, Associate in Arts.

From Tamassee:
Travis Franklin Vaughn, General Engineering Technology; and Elicia Jo Williams, Accounting.

From Walhalla:
Karl Edward Addis, Jr. Associate in Arts; Katherine Anne Addis, Dental Assisting; Sharie Leigh Collins, Business Technology; Joyce Ann Gambrell, Early Childhood Development; Spencer Tyler Garrett, Associate in Arts; Madai Gomez, Electrocardiology; Marsha Lynn Henson, Business Technology; Sandy Jean Schwery, Associate in Science; and Kellie Michelle Smith, Associate in Arts.

From West Union:
Lisa Marie Duncan, Respiratory Care; Crystal Marie Foster, Medical Assisting; Shannon Tracy Dawn Justus, Surgical Technology; Caroline Oldrige Moore, Dental Assisting; and Kimberly Lynn Todd, Criminal Justice Technology.

From Westminster:
Cindy Neal Cantrell, Electrocardiology; Samantha H. Grant, Electrocardiology; Jessica Amanda James, Respiratory Care; Gladys S. Marcengill, Business Technology; April Miranda McGuffin, Office Systems Technology; Amanda Rena Miller, Respiratory Care; Sara Ann O'Connor, Associate in Arts; Amy Lynn O'Dell, Medical Assisting; Matthew Charles Owens, Welding; Bradley Allen Peay, Industrial Electronics Technology; Nikki Marie Rogers, Associate in Arts; Kelly August Shedd, Surgical Technology; Joshua Lee Sheriff, Criminal Justice Technology; Shannon Shook, Surgical Technology; and Connie Renee' Taylor, Electrocardiology.

From Central:
Sondra Rose Dooley, Surgical Technology; Eleanor McGlamory Gossett, Dental Assisting; Lori Denise Massey, Electrocardiology; Shannon Olivia Massey, Office Systems Technology; Bobby Joe McCreary, Jr. Industrial Mechanics; Stephanie King Player, Practical Nursing; Jessica LeeAnn Rollins, Medical Assisting; and Bradley Lewis Whitaker, Industrial Mechanics.

From Clemson:
John Philip Keller, Business Technology; and Alexandria Bell Suber, Computer Technology.

From Easley:
Brenda Elizabeth Bagwell, Medical Assisting; Laura Lea Brust, Respiratory Care; Stephanie Leann Chapman, Practical Nursing; Sherry Lynn Ellenburg, Dental Assisting; Glory Faye Hickey, Respiratory Care; Zachary James Holcombe, Business Technology; Almond Chadwick LaMance, Machine Tool Technology; Margaret Jarrett Langley, General Engineering Technology; Donnie Ray Pearson, Criminal Justice Technology; Kevin Michael Poindexter, Welding; William Ashley Reese, Criminal Justice Technology; and Laurie A. Riviere, Respiratory Care.

From Liberty:
Jennifer Michelle Brown, Associate in Arts; Karen Anita Brown, Surgical Technology; James Douglas Crumpton, Computer Technology; Alysia Cordia Eddleman, Electrocardiology; David Kett Fowler, Criminal Justice Technology; Dawn Marie Harper, Medical Assisting; Keri Dawn Hayes, Criminal Justice Technology; Christina Ashley Keeler, Practical Nursing; Charles Ray McKenzie, Associate in Arts; Carolyn Louise Cater White, Office Systems Technology; and Crystal Gail Williamson, Dental Assisting.

From Pickens:
Paula Denise Bay, Surgical Technology; Alexander Garden Clarkson, IV Industrial Mechanics; Julie Lewis Coble, Phlebotomy; Melissa Gail Duncan, Surgical Technology; Tina M. Epps, Phlebotomy; Richard Andrew Holder, Welding; Megan Marie Hoover, Computer Technology; Lindsay Elysabeth Jones, Business Technology; Joni Elizabeth Meece, Practical Nursing; Theresa Chapman Morgan, Practical Nursing; Billy Ray O'Bryant, Welding; Londa Gale Pace, Phlebotomy; Blonica C. Palmiotto, Medical Assisting; Terry Lynn Rogers, Accounting; Lindsey Nicole Stone, Dental Assisting; and Kayla Ann Trotter, Dental Assisting.

From Six Mile:
Marylaine Durham Duncan, Accounting; Ashley Young Fuller, Respiratory Care; Tammy Anita Greene, Medical-Dental Office Assistant; and Kimberly Suzanne Holliday, Engineering Graphics Technology.

From Sunset:
Katie Diane Hedden, Accounting.

From Fountain Inn:
Eric Sean Ledford, General Engineering Technology.

From Greenville:
Loren Wilson Adair, Associate in Science; and Cheryl R. Smith, Practical Nursing.

From Walterboro:
Shana Dale Vinczi, Dental Assisting.

From Chula Vista:
Deborah Lynn Caron, Accounting.
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