April 18, 2023
The Forrest County Campus of Pearl River Community College presented annual awards to top students in Career-Technical Education and Academic ceremonies on April 13.
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, Allied Health and Nursing Programs, welcomed everyone to each ceremony.
“Students, remember the Wildcat Way – Price, Respect, Class and Character when you leave us,” she said.
PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood told the groups that this was, “A day of celebration. You are the best of the best. You have put yourself in position to succeed at the next level.”
Breerwood presented Scott Boyette with a University of Southern Mississippi Presidential Transfer Scholarship.
The Wildcat Way Award was presented to sophomore Tobias Adams of Oak Grove. 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.
Presentations went to two students in Phi Theta Kappa named to the All-Mississippi Academic Team. They were Adams and Ana Salas-Mondragon, both of Oak Grove. They were also recognized as Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist scholars. Finalists will be announced in May.
Ameze Ekunwe of Hattiesburg received the Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Award.
PRCC physics instructor Chris Christen received the Above and Beyond 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:
Associate Degree Nursing (Day): Claire Thornton of Hattiesburg.
Associate Degree Nursing (Night): Morgan Paige Breland of Leakesville.
Biomedical Equipment Repair: Jestin Clark of Hattiesburg.
Commercial and Residential Construction: Zachary Carpenter of Poplarville.
Computer Coding Technology: Kadin Dengler of Dixie.
Court Reporting: Bethany Streetman of Corinth.
Dental Assisting Technology: Haley Warren of Hattiesburg.
Dental Hygiene Technology: Marleigh Mangum of Magee.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Darrian Pierce of Picayune.
HVAC and Refrigeration Technology: Joshua Loftus of Hattiesburg.
Industrial Electronics Technology: Dylan Lowe of Sumrall.
Massage Therapy: Jynna Boulton of Newton.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Jalynn Flemings of New Orleans.
Occupational Therapy Assistant: Crosby Stevens of Hattiesburg.
Physical Therapist Assistant: Ashley Allen Graham of Purvis.
Practical Nursing Day: Ariel Carter of Hattiesburg.
Practical Nursing Night: Alayna Bridges of Hattiesburg.
Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology: Mitchell Greer Purvis.
Radiologic Technology: Tavia Keys of Hattiesburg.
Welding and Cutting Technology Day: Roddrick Anderson of Hattiesburg.
Welding and Cutting Technology Night: Seth Mitchell of Sumrall.
Academic Awards went to:
Biological Sciences: Carl Michael of Sumrall.
Chemistry: Noah Taylor of Hattiesburg.
Communications: Emily Smith of Petal.
Computer science: Kadin Dengler of Dixie.
Criminal Justice: Ana Salas-Mondragon of Oak Grove.
English: Aidan Aultman of Purvis.
Fine Arts: Grant Matheney of Bassfield.
History: Andrew Purvis of Hattiesburg.
Mathematics: Jay Brown of Columbia.
Philosophy/religion: Kathryn Scharwath of Oak Grove.
Physics: Jacob Boyette of Hattiesburg.
Psychology: Carl Michael of Sumrall.
Sociology: Carl Michael of Sumrall.
Spanish: Patrick McGruder of Hattiesburg.
Writing: Ana Salas-Mondragon of Oak Grove.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Chuck Abadie. Photography by Lucas Lymuel.
