July 8, 2024
Malone Chapel at Pearl River Community College overflowed with excitement and pride for the Barbering and Cosmetology graduation on Thursday, June 27. Family members and friends packed the room, eager to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the graduates.
Attendees were welcomed by Cosmetology student Jaycee Esque with Barbering student Juvonta Raymond providing the Invocation. Dr. Amy Townsend, Dean of Career and Technical Education, greeted the graduates and attendees.
“Your clients will build relationships with you all their life and long relationships because they trust you – so honor that trust,” said Townsend. “You’ve been trained well and are ready to begin a successful career.”
Jacob Guthrie served as the designated speaker for the graduation ceremony. He began his barbering career in 2015 after working in fabrication and sandblasting. He is the owner of Good Luck Barbershop in Picayune, where he works with two graduates of the PRCC program.
“Stay motivated by your peers, stay humble, and continue to push yourself,” said Guthrie. “Networking is important – your whole clientele is based on it. Remember, when someone sits in your chair that is more than a haircut, you have to be somebody they can trust.”
Career and Technical Student Services Coordinator Eileen Sumlin introduced each candidate including their hometown, immediate plans for work, and long-term goals. Certificates were presented by their instructors and Dr. Townsend.
Fifteen students graduated from the eleven-month-long Cosmetology program led by Instructor of Cosmetology Michelle Patterson. During that time, students learn the basics of hair, skin, and nails.
Jania Lasha Nylia Taylor of Poplarville looks forward to working at Montana and Company in Gulfport. She plans to concentrate on doing hair and waxing to build her skills. Eventually, she wants to move to South Carolina and work at Paul Mitchell.
“This has been a long, long eleven months,” said Taylor. “You need a good mindset and goals because if you feel shaky, you won’t make it. It’s very tough, but worth it in the end.”
Fourteen students graduated from the year-long Barbering program, led by Instructor of Barbering Tyrone McLaurin. A mixture of coursework and hands-on instruction is delivered with a focus on shaving and cutting hair.
Devin Lucas of Hattiesburg originally began his journey at PRCC in music education and was a member of The Voices. He shifted gears to add barbering to his skill set and is passionate about the field. He will be working at Squared Up Barbershop in Hattiesburg with the goal of owning a mobile barbershop to service multiple communities.
“Barbering is a great program,” said Lucas. “I learned a lot from my mentors and my peers, and I’m extremely proud of my peers graduating alongside me today.”
Barbering graduates include Kentaryus Alexis-Thomspon of Pascagoula, Malachi Barnes of Laurel, Nehemia Clayton of Gulfport, Lee Faulk of Tylertown, Kevinea Jenkins of Picayune, Markeelyn Johnson of Lumberton, Cornelious Knight of Columbia, Devin Lucas of Hattiesburg, Michael Mickey of Slidell, LA, Juvonta Raymond of Picayune, Grant Robbins of Sumrall, Tyrion Sumrall of Beaumont, Tavis Toney of Lumberton, and Jeremiah Wallace of Lumberton.
Cosmetology graduates include Madison Jayde Anderson of Perkinston, Rylee Anthony of Kokomo, Jennifer Evelyn Applegate of Poplarville, Jaycee Esque of Diamondhead, Allianna Guerra of Picayune, Camille Lee of Carriere, Angelina Lopez of Bogalusa, LA, Emily Mayfield of Brooklyn, Amanda Faye Moseley of Carriere, Sydney Ruth Platt of Monticello, Kylea Ryals of Brooklyn, Jania Lasha Nyia Taylor of Poplarville, Nashanti Tillman of Poplarville, Tara Ann Nicole Williamson of Wiggins, and Brittney Wimbrow of Picayune.
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 Laura O’Neill. Photography by River Roderick.
