RCC holds virtual CCR graduation
COVID doesn't stop students, faculty, staff from celebrating
ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College held a virtual ceremony for its 2020 College and Career Readiness (CCR) Graduation on Thursday, May 14. The in-person ceremony was to take place the same date, but was changed due to COVID-19.Director of Adult Basic Education and Adult High School Jordan Williamson opened the ceremony with a welcome and congratulations.
“As many of you know, the College and Career Readiness Graduation is one of our most special events at RCC,” she said. “As much as we love to celebrate all of our graduates, this event certainly holds a special place in our hearts because we know how hard you’ve worked to accomplish this and how many barriers and obstacles you have overcome to reach this moment in your life. So please know that even though we are not all together today to celebrate in person, we still celebrate you virtually and we are still celebrating you afar.”
Williamson then extended an invitation for the graduates to walk across the stage as a part of the December CCR graduation ceremony.
Several members of the CCR staff added messages of congratulations, including CCR In-Take Specialist Dahlia Oldham, a 2009 graduate from the program.
“The beautiful thing about this — no one can take this away from you,” she said. “It’s yours forever. So I want you to go out, go see the world, create your own beautiful dreams.”
Vice President for Workforce Development & Continuing Education Elbert Lassiter presented the graduates.
“I couldn’t be more proud of you,” he said. “I wish you much success whether you’re coming back to Randolph Community College to continue your education or going to another college or university or entering the workforce. The fact that you’ve completed this degree should give you encouragement that you can do anything you choose to do. I’m so excited for you.”
RCC President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford closed the ceremony, noting that Abraham Lincoln lost his mother, his fiancée, his business, and several political races before becoming president.
“All of these weren’t periods in his life that ended things, they were commas,” Shackleford said. “And he got back up and brushed himself off and he kept going and going and going. That’s what you’ve done. All the things in your life that have led to this point tonight, you’ve decided to make them commas and not periods. You didn’t let obstacles stop you. They may have tripped you up for a month, they may have slowed you down a little bit, but you got up and brushed yourself off and kept going and here you are tonight.
“I hope that even tonight will be a comma. I hope that you will get back up and keep going after this ceremony, keep going after you get your high school equivalency or your adult high school diploma. Come on to RCC and be a college student now. You are as qualified as if you’d been the valedictorian of your graduating class. We’re very proud of you. We want to be a part of your educational, journey as far as it takes you. Please know that you inspire me. I’m proud of you and I wish you the very best.”
High School Equivalency Graduates
Archdale: Gabriell Mcarthur, Lane Van Ausdall.
Asheboro: Victor Castaneda, Hilda Munoz-Vences.
Fuquay-Varina: Kiara Dolan.
Lexington: Richard Phillippie.
Pleasant Garden: William Allen Sr.
Randleman: Devon Nix.
Adult High School Diploma Graduates
Trinity: Sierra Miller.
Troy: Brady Marshall.
Archdale: Gabriell Mcarthur, Lane Van Ausdall.
Asheboro: Victor Castaneda, Hilda Munoz-Vences.
Fuquay-Varina: Kiara Dolan.
Lexington: Richard Phillippie.
Pleasant Garden: William Allen Sr.
Randleman: Devon Nix.
Adult High School Diploma Graduates
Trinity: Sierra Miller.
Troy: Brady Marshall.