SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2017 as the school observed its 54th Commencement Exercises on May 11 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

The graduating students entered the main hall to the skirl of a bagpipe, a CCCC tradition.

"The administration, staff, faculty, and I want to say a hearty 'congratulations' to each and every one of you for your hard work and achievement. As you go out in the community, you will see how beloved CCCC is in the three-county service area and the surrounding region. This admiration for the College should make our graduates feel proud of our institution and good about their decision to enroll at CCCC for their higher education experience," said CCCC President Dr. T. Eston Marchant.

"Always remember that you represent us with your present and future employers and stand as our greatest advocates, and the essential skills and education you have received from us will continue to enhance our service area counties with a highly qualified workforce and improve the quality of life for us all," said Dr. Marchant. "With several new programs and new facilities just over the horizon, it is indeed a highly exciting time in the history of the College and we are so pleased and proud that our graduates today were a part of the College at this time."

The Class of 2017 has approximately 826 students -- including those expected to graduate after attending summer classes, who are expected to receive 893 credentials (associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates).

Three commencement exercises, at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., were held to accommodate the number of graduates. That also allowed those who will complete their studies during the summer to walk in a graduation ceremony, since there will be no summer commencement exercises.

Student speakers were Courtney Leigh May of Wake County (AAS Dental Hygiene) and Christopher Lee Knight of Chatham County (AAS Early Childhood Education) at the 9 a.m. graduation, Noel Martinez of Lee County (Associate in Arts) and Luis Antonio Gonzalez of Lee County (Associate in Arts) at the 11:30 a.m. graduation, and Kyla Clarice Ross of Harnett County (AAS Laser & Photonics) and Shamika Marie Braziel of Lee County (AAS Cosmetology & Certificate Cosmetology Instructor) at the 3 p.m. graduation.

At the 9 a.m. graduation, May addressed the graduates by saying, "All of our hard work and dedication has paid off. I pray that each and every one of you graduates fulfill your goals and dreams for your own futures. Let us remember that our foundation will always be here at Central Carolina." Knight told his fellow graduates, "Despite every naysayer and every doubter, even yourself, you achieved a major success today. Make the most of what you have accomplished. Use what you have gained to make the world a better place."

At the 11:30 a.m. graduation, Martinez said, "Just remember that there are people who love you and that will be there to help you when you fall, and no matter how bad of a day you are having, tomorrow there is always a change for things to get better. And remember to continue bettering yourself as much as you can because there is something that no one will ever be able to take away from you. It is knowledge." Gonzalez told his fellow graduates, "As we celebrate this moment, we will surely look back on this day in the future and remember today as one of many triumphs we will have in our life."

At the 3 p.m. graduation, Ross noted, "Simply graduating, wearing a cap and gown and walking across a stage, is not the real reward. The reward is the moment you realize you're better now than you were when you started. If you learned a single thing over the duration of your educational pursuits here at Central Carolina, then you're winning." Braziel told her fellow graduates, "From this day forward, let us make each decision with our best interests in mind. Let us believe in ourselves so that we may reach our goals and fulfill our dreams. Let us be the best we can be so that we may fill our lives and the lives of those closest to us with happiness and with pride. We've already taken the first step by making it to this ceremony today."

Ken Hoyle Jr., Vice President of Student Services, recognized Linda West during the 9 a.m. ceremony. She is retiring from the faculty of the Nursing program. Hoyle recognized Dr. Stephen Athans during the 3 p.m. ceremony. He is retiring as Dean of Vocational & Technical Programs.

Dr. Brian S. Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Student Learning and Chief Academic Officer, presented the graduates. Conferring of Diplomas was by Trustee Jan Hayes at the 9 a.m. graduation, and by Trustee Jim Burgin at the 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. graduations.

Following each commencement exercise, family and friends gathered in the Civic Center's foyer or outside to take pictures of their graduate's special day.

During the graduation exercises, students with the highest grade point averages in their divisions were recognized. At 9 a.m. --AAS degree: Andrew Dale Hendrick, Stevi Michelle Jacobs, Courtney Leigh May, Tiffany Monique Gee, Kathryn Elizabeth Kline, Julianne Marie Showalter, Sarah Anne Zuber. At 11:30 a.m. -- AAS degree: Breonna Cherry Williams. AA and AS degree: Melissa Molt Buchanan, Jennifer Leigh Cooper, Rogelio Salvador, Morgan Paige Yigdal, Samantha Jean Yigdal, Brian Edward Kedzierski. Diploma: Renada Michelle Hendon. At 3 p.m. -- AAS degree: Walter Scott Lankford, Richard Morton, Evelyn Virginia Overton, Aaron Morgan Adams. Diploma: Michael Scott Parnell.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society graduates were also recognized at each commencement: at 9 a.m., Enna Siomara Alvarez, Tabitha Elizabeth Brown, Melissa Janet Chavez, Kiolika S. Coren, Ayla Iris Coronado, Caroline Sutherland Elliott, Tiffany Monique Gee, Andrew Dale Hendrick, Stevi Michelle Jacobs, Pamela Lee, Madison Claire Lilly, Courtney Leigh May, Haley Nicole Meyers, Karley Michelle Mitchell, Lisa Dawn Phillips, Cara Lynn Poth, Hunter Alexis Riggins, Brandi Nicole Snow, Sreedevi Sreekumar Vanmathi, Katelyn Amber Thompson, Jennifer Lynn Tillman, Julia Marie Trimberger; at 11:30 a.m., Dominique Angel Anderson, Allison Nicole Armstrong, Elizabeth Anne Bedford, Melissa Molt Buchanan, Valerie Rizalyn Permelona Buano, Kamesha Sherease Chalmers, Kelly Norton Conrad, Jennifer Leigh Cooper, Lydia Eve Cooper, Darlene Corletto, Robert Taylor Gibson, Jamie Soquena Guillergan, Holly Nicole Hair, Renada Michelle Hendon, Rosemary Schuh Hilliard, Michaela Alexis Hunt, Kathleen Marie Johnson, Brian Edward Kedzierski, Debra Floridalma Larios Perez, Yolanda Nichala Leach, Noel Martinez, Cynthia F. Mason, Daniel Gerard Mazanec, Payton Lynne Millikin, Meredith Marie Norman, Pamela Patterson Olive, Audrey Michelle Poe, Tina Rochelle Riley, Janely Rivera, Rogelio Salvado, Terrance Auburn Simpson, Toni Marie Szabo, Lauren Vann, Ginevra Grace Walker, Payton Hayley Winchell; at 3 p.m., Ronald Edgar Demery, Liann Marie Dubon, Matthew Windsor Hamilton, Joseph Edward Holliday, Jazmyne Tenise Hughes, Rasheed W. Jones, Sr., Dustin James Krombach, Noah Lawrence Mehringer, Richard E. Morton, Leslie Ann Oldham, Thomas Aaron Parks, Charles Edgar Patterson.

Pictures from the commencement exercises can be downloaded at www.cccc.edu. The commencement soon can be viewed online at 4CNCLive.com.