May 5, 2025
The Forrest County Campus of Pearl River Community College presented annual awards to top students in Career-Technical Education and Academic ceremonies on April 24.
Students, faculty, staff, family and friends joined together in celebrating the success of these students while wishing them success in their future endeavors.
Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for Forrest County Campus, welcomed everyone to each ceremony.
“Students, remember the Wildcat Way – Price, Respect, Class and Character when you leave us,” she said.
The Wildcat Way Award was presented to William Phelps of Hattiesburg. Every year faculty nominate students who best exemplify living out the Wildcat Way. They show the attributes of Pride, Respect, Class, and Character both in and out of the classroom.
Zach Bennett, Coordinator of Wellness and Student Activities, received the Above and Beyond Award.
Presentations went to two students in Phi Theta Kappa named to the All-Mississippi Academic Team, Makayla Herberger of Purvis and Kyrstin Korbe of Hattiesburg.
Kaycee Tanner of Lucedale and Summer Powers of Hattiesburg received Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Awards.
Korbe was recognized as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. Herberger was recognized as a Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist, as well as receiving the $5000 Guistwhite Scholarship.
Dakota Andrews of Hattiesburg was recognized as a USM Presidential Scholar and Finn Smith of Oak Grove was recognized as a MSU Presidential Scholar. Isabella Rainey of Oak Grove received the Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Award.
Members of the Beta Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, along with the Honors College graduates, were also recognized.
Career-Technical Education awards went to:
All-Mississippi Workforce: Rebecca Heffner of Picayune.
Advanced EMT-Paramedic: Jacqlyn Carter of Ellisville.
Associate Degree Nursing (Day): Hequinn D. Fox of Hattiesburg.
Associate Degree Nursing (Night): Breana Deem of Hattiesburg.
Biomedical Equipment Repair: William ‘Macky’ Morgan of Petal.
Commercial and Residential Construction: Jahaud Smith of Prentiss.
Computer Coding Technology: Michael Egler of Picayune.
Dental Assisting Technology: Alexandra Valdez of Wiggins.
Dental Hygiene Technology: Brienne Penton of Carriere.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Alyssa Thompson of Jayess.
HVAC and Refrigeration Technology: Tristan Bounds of Sumrall.
Industrial Electronics Technology: David Brannon of Petal.
Massage Therapy Technology: Jessica Garrett of Petal.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Ariana Clements of Hattiesburg.
Occupational Therapy Assistant: Simon Waldrop of Mobile, Ala.
Physical Therapist Assistant: Joshua Montes of Carriere.
Practical Nursing Day: JaVonnah Suggs of Gulfport.
Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology: Aaron Spiers of Carriere.
Radiologic Technology: Makayla Spiers of Columbia.
Respiratory Care Technology: Arionna Galloway of Lumberton.
Welding and Cutting Technology Day: Fredrick Douglass of Hattiesburg.
Welding and Cutting Technology Night: Victor Hartung of Hattiesburg.
Academic Awards went to:
Accounting: Samuel Whittington of Hattiesburg.
Biological Sciences: Alexas Mason of Purvis.
Chemistry: Matt Natanauan of Hattiesburg.
Communications: Maria Posadas-Vitervo of Hattiesburg.
Computer science: Ila Howard of Hattiesburg.
Criminal Justice: Tyson McLaurin of Prentiss.
English: Finn Smith of Oak Grove.
Fine Arts: Madiha Karim of Purvis.
Geography: Finn Smith of Oak Grove.
History: Diego Sosa Vazquez of Hattiesburg.
Mathematics: Ila Howard of Hattiesburg.
Philosophy/religion: Makayla Herberger of Purvis.
Psychology: Presley Kaye Hallum of Hattiesburg.
Sociology: Alexis Frazier and Autumn Frazier of Hattiesburg.
Spanish: Muhammad Elgohary of Hattiesburg.
Writing: Zya Boggan of Purvis.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Chuck Abadie. Photography by Kaylee Fortenberry and River Roderick.
