Tyler Junior College has recognized 711 graduates earning more than 830 awards during Fall 2024 commencement ceremonies.
TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia conferred the degrees and certificates on the graduates during four ceremonies held Friday, Dec. 13, in Wagstaff Gymnasium on the TJC central campus.
“This is the most special day for all of us,” TJC President and CEO Dr. Juan E. Mejia said in his remarks to the graduating class.
“I have participated in countless graduation ceremonies, but which one has been my favorite? This one. The one that I am actively participating in right now. Why? Because you are here. You are heroic students who have gone through so many trials, tribulations, challenges and opportunities — and now, here you are as candidates for graduation. It is our honor to celebrate you and your achievements today.”
Sarah Perry Hazelwood
Sarah Perry Hazelwood, of Yantis, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history. She plans to be an educator.
“TJC helped me to be more disciplined with deadlines and simply getting things done,” she said. “Before college, I had a teacher and my mom to tell me to get my schoolwork done. When I came to college, it was all up to me. Most importantly, TJC taught me how to enjoy my time not only in college, but in stressful seasons of life.”
She offers this advice to anyone starting their college journey, she said, “Do not be afraid to embrace change, even if it means changing the direction of your life, your major or both. If something challenging or new comes up and it terrifies you, just dive in head-first and don’t look back.”
Six months ago, TaDasha Jones, 38, of Tyler, was released from prison after a long struggle with mental illness, drugs and crime. On Friday, she graduated magna cum laude from TJC, earning a business degree.
Jones first enrolled at TJC in 2009 and always made good grades, but bad decisions kept getting in the way of her success. She took college classes during her three incarcerations but was always intent on returning to TJC to finish her studies.
She credits a promise she made to her late grandmother, Clydie B. McGee, as her catalyst for change.
TaDasha Jones
“When I was in prison the third time, my Granny was really sick and I would talk to her on the phone when I could,” she said. “The last words I said to her were, ‘I love you and I’m going to make you proud.” And she said, ‘I know you will.’ She passed two days later, on Thanksgiving Day.”
“This was something I had to do, and I did it,” she added.
Karina Romero, of Tyler, graduated magna cum laude with a pre-nursing degree. She plans to transfer to UT Tyler in the spring and attend nursing school next fall.
“My goal is to begin working in a clinical setting to get experience before applying to nursing school,” she said. “Once I finish nursing school, my ultimate goal is to begin working as a NICU (neonatal ICU) nurse,” she said.
She gave high marks to her TJC experience.
“TJC really helped set me up for the future by giving me a solid foundation in my field and making sure I had the skills I needed for future classes,” she said. “The professors were supportive, and I got a lot of hands-on experience during labs and different projects, which helped me feel more confident. Plus, the career advice I got made a big difference in helping me figure out my next move.”
Karina Romero
She continued, “What I’ll remember most about my TJC experience is the small class sizes that made it easy to connect with professors,” she said. “It was a place where I could grow academically, and I’m grateful for how it prepared me for the next steps in my education and career.”
TJC Fall 2024 graduates and their hometowns
ABILENE: Harold Howard
ALBA: Jacob Chaney, Shelby Daniel, Angelica Ortega, Trinity Ramirez, Hannah Richardson, Caden Wiser
ALLEN: Sarah Menini
ARLINGTON: Dawn Buju, Keshawn Davis, Reyona Turner
ARP: Krisalyn Bellot, Charles Brittian, Abraham Ferretiz, McKenzie Griffin, Stephen Williams, Nadia Yanez
AZLE: Bernock Iya
BANJUL, The Gambia: Awa Joof
BEN WHEELER: Alejandro Ayora, Darrell Blotz, Peyton Fobel, Nicholas Jay, Ashley Jones, Daniel Perez, Jakayla Thomas
BIG SANDY: Ashley Bishop, Gracie Jenison
BOSSIER CITY, Louisiana: Chaqwita Mayweather
BRAMPTON, Ontario: Diomario Adamson
BROWNSBORO: Aurora Olvera, Matthew Ponnequin, Courtney Turner
BROWNSBURG, Indiana: John Louden
BUFFALO: Selina Zacarias
BULLARD: Isaac Angulo, Abbie Baser, Derek Degrate Jr., Beverly Howard, Faith Hunt, Jacob King, Elijah Krieg, Gracie McKeethan, Gabrielle Nichols, Renee Rodriguez, Christopher Sudduth, Felipe Tristan
BURLESON: Janelle Bernal, Jordan Campbell, Ethan Ramos
CANTON: Mary Blakely, Jennylyn Carpenter, Macy Davis, Kennedi Faglie, Elisa Lajqi, Kaitlyn Osborn, Carla Perez, Kayla Phillips, Elias Stroud, Mason Wilson
CARTHAGE: Eliya Suy
CEDAR CREEK: Isaiah Coney
CEDAR PARK: William Bowen
CENTER: Scherlin Rivera-Mateos
TJC graduates look back and give a round of applause to faculty members (standing) during Friday’s TJC Fall commencement ceremonies in Wagstaff Gym.
CHANDLER: Kayla Alvarez, Melanie Baker, Erica Barbosa, Destiny Hurley, Jonathan Surlet
CLARKSVILLE: Mariela Resendiz, Gabrielle Rosales
COLLEYVILLE: Renee Larmon
COMO: Alyssa Corona, Ricki Sims
CORSICANA: Elaysia Morgan
CROCKETT: Marlen Cruz, Marylou Frias
CROWLEY: Christopher Knight
DeKALB: Jalyn Ingram
DENISON: Carly Cox
DES MOINES, Washington: Robert Petelo Sooalo
DeSOTO: Kamariah Simmons
DIANA: Cassidy Nugent
DUNCANVILLE: Tanya Lee
EDGEWOOD: Jayden Barnes, Shelby Cook, Jamie Henson
ELKHART: Chassity Chambless, Kristopher Lawhorn, Adam Starr
EMORY: Connor Mahurin
FLINT: Abigail Aggen, Andrew Arias, Kiandria Cain, Sendy Encalada, Nyasia Glenn, Preston Greene, Jana Herrera, Carolyn Lewis, Miranda Lohr, Duyen Mai, Colton Moncrief, Serena Regalado, Yesica Reina, Jacoby Searcy, Aidan Skanes
FORNEY: Britney Carter, Jeremyah Jones, Raul Martin, Madison Neely, Erin Warta
FORT WORTH: Jacob Adams, Elizabeth McCorvey, Nadia Saif, Brittney Tovar
FRANKSTON: Ja’Miyah Burton, Chaylan Rodgers
FRISCO: Dathan Taylor
GAUTENG, South Africa: Taylor Van Zyl
GARLAND: Ashlyn Henderson
GARRISON: Cantrina Bell
GEORGETOWN: Zack Zavala
GILMER: Damion Amaya, Cayden Coleman, Christopher Hanlin, Christina Hicks, Adrian Jones, Ivanna Knight, James Maines, Lauren Mize, Jarot Ritter, Ashley Roberts, Spencer Watkins, Breeann Willich
GLADEWATER: Camden Childress, Natalie Cruz, Seth Griffin, Diamond Hardeman, Elijah Renfroe, Alejandra Reyes, Itzayana Sanchez-Uribe, Lee Stevenson, Bridgette Timmins
GOLDEN: Annaliese Whitecotton
GRAND SALINE: Justin Griffith, Christina Klump, Cassey Love, Jase Melton, Jennifer Mendoza
GRAPELAND: Oralia Leal, Emily Streetman, Hannah Turner
GUN BARREL CITY: Tamara Blain, Clayton Coleman, Bethany Dyson
HARLETON: Autumn Aiken
HENDERSON: Emmanuel Bolanos, Jennifer Delgado, Anna Dixon, Gabriela Luna, Meibel Padilla, Tori Self
HIDEAWAY: Lillie Bryant, Janese Largent, Anastasia Savage, Kenzie Wallace
HONEY GROVE: Shelby Neisler
HOUSTON: Xavier Werrell
HUGO, Oklahoma: Kris Akins
HUMBLE: Leilani Caballero, Knowledge Davis
JACKSONVILLE: Alyssa Angel, Shelbi Burton, Mariana Casiano, Jose Contreras, Delanie Crawford, Prisila Emiliano, Adriana Estrada, Kimberly Ferguson, Erica Garanquay Guerrero, Evelin Garcia, Leslie Gonzalez, Kaitlan Hall, Chasity Johnson, Kyeleigh Kincade, Jessica Manley, Priscilla Matauribe, Marleni Medellin, Salvador Moreno, Kristen Phifer, Gerardo Ramirez, Raylee Ramirez, Maria Rodriguez, Damien Saldivar, Griselda Sotelo, Laina Veitch, Jennifer Yebra
JEFFERSON: Ma’Kayla Williams-Pierson
JEWETT: Kimberley Acosta
KARNACK: Adalynn Duncan
KAUFMAN: Madeleine Hamilton, David Palacios-Alvarez
KEMP: Rick Needham
KILGORE: Ruth Camp, Mallory Cook, Laura Crump, Kayla Phillips, Zachary Sivertsen, Jaiden Thompson
KINGWOOD: Katie Gautier
LAKE CITY, S.C.: Alisha Mickens
LAKE JACKSON: Jarrett Skelton
LARUE: Jessica Davis, Kurt McClenny, Araceli Ornelas
LEWISVILLE: Beth Montes
LINDALE: Bailey Allen, Belen Alvarez, Homero Aparicio, Trinity Boaz, Bryce Caldwell, Monica Castillo, Grayson Cooper, Josie Covington, Laniya Daniels, Bethany Davidson, Kameron Davis, Ryder Dennis, Sylas Dutton, Matthew Edwards, Kayden Freeman, Javier Gaona, Kailyn Goodman, Zion Gort, Alexis Hanning, Olivia Harwell, Samuel Hasz, Christa Hayes, Jorie’L Hicks, Miles Hill, Myah Hoyle, Eli Kenna, Brianna King, Erin Matejka, Maritza Mendez, Zaniya Mumphrey, Emily Myers, Savanna Nunn, Morgan Parks, Garrett Phillips, Zachary Robinette, Katie Robison, Brittany Rote, Shannon Russell, Alma Silva, Christa Simmons, Gabrielle Small, Kayleigh Tew, Sydney Tharp, Sean Thomas, Kaden Trigueiro, Christiana Ussery, Luke Waggoner, Haleigh Wilhite
LITTLE ELM: Rashard McGee
LONE OAK: Hunter Barth
LONGVIEW: Leticia Castanon, Anecia Davidson, Tia Deadmon, Leonard Epps, Jarda Evans, Eduardo Garcia, Elizabeth Garcia, Michael Garcia, Jaidon Gentry, Adrienne George, Marlene Gutierrez, Juan Guzman, Shanda Jackson, Kylan Liedtke, Keenan Lindner, Caitlynn Nutt, Codie Riley, Naomi Rubio, Aaliyah Rudd, Hannah Sharpless, Joshua Thomas, Haley Tucker, Kristal Wilburn
LUFKIN: Jasmyne Forney, Anthony Limbrick
MABANK: Stephanie Kennedy, Molly Key
MADISON, Mississippi: Jordan Wells
MALAKOFF: Cassidy Graham
MANSFIELD: Jadyn Jackson
MARSHALL: Kenny Campos, Diana Esparza, Iyana Johnson, A’Laya Russell, Laci Williams
McKINNEY: Stefon Hailey
MIDLOTHIAN: Loraly Michalewicz
MINEOLA: Shana Clark, Elias Dabbs, Magdalena Estrada, Alex Le, Luz Licona, Veronica Lopez, Corban Mize, Chelsi OGrady, Jose Ramos, Destiny Rogers, Tatum Smythe
MONROE, Louisiana: ZaDaria Ceasar
MOUNT ENTERPRISE: Andrik Rubio
NACOGDOCHES: Keunna Fields, Abigail Madera Gonzalez, Denaiya Reed, Kristen Verret
ORE CITY: Beverly Evans, Reagan Goode, Erica Jenkins
OVERTON: Emma Helpenstell
PALESTINE: Myah Crutcher, Bethany Denson, Micah Goodman, Darcy Howe, Emily James, Robert Moser, Kaydence Newman, Justin Ortiz, Nicholas Pence, Galilea Rodriguez, Jessica Valdez, Letrice Williams
PARIS: Jordan Harris, Mikesha Shorters
PFLUGERVILLE: Cornell Carter, Montaeo Franks
PHENIX CITY, Alabama: Jamarcus Moye
PITTSBURG: Story Conaughty, Lessly Garza, Cyndi Martinez
PLANO: Giovanni Mccray
PRETORIA, South Africa: Alexander Barwise
PROSPER: Aeden Combest
QUINLAN: Gabriel Reyes
QUITMAN: Lindsey Hornaday, Reagan Hornaday, James Lynn, Esmeralda Rodriguez
ROCKWALL: Rebecca Boehm
ROYSE CITY: Tanesha Dennis
RUSK: Preston Arnold, Esthela Barrera, Calyssa Boggs, Gabriel Bradshaw, Emma Bullock, Jesda Duong, Fantasi Durrenberger, Albert Gonzales, Kenyada Kincade, Dianne Loredo, Kailee Millsap, Micah Solly, Mary Tarver, Jared Woods, Jonathan Wright
SEAGOVILLE: Bishop McGlothin
SOMMA LOMBARDO, Italy: Giorgia Paggiaro
SPRINGTOWN: Kyla Thomas
STREETMAN: Misty Richardson
SUGAR LAND: Zoe Laney
SULPHUR SPRINGS: Samaira Lewis, Victoria Mejia, Maria Nunez, Jayden Sims
SUWANEE, Georgie: Terance Mathis
TATUM: Holly Henry, Olivia Houston
TERRELL: Kurt Hall
TEXARKANA: Hope Estes, Leah Walker
TOMBALL: Tyler Salem
TROUP: Nathanial Godejohn, Jennifer Love, Shea Schmidt, Alexis Shelton
TYLER: Brent Adams, Levi Adams, Malora Adams, Albertini Aduse-Poku, Yesenia Aguilar, Alondra Albarran, Zaina Albeige, Jerrica Alexander-Cork, Luis Alejo, Skylar Allen, Dmarion Banks, Elazsa Banks, Matthew Barnes, Josiah Barron Ramirez, Brittney Bates, Jessica Beasley, Electra Bender, Haleigh Biggar, Savanna Billingsley, Elena Blair, Dylan Bone, Sydney Bowers, Jose Bravo, Kelly Breedlove, Kaylee Brousseau, Niya Brown, Janna Buchman, Courtney Bugg, Stacy Bui, Mallory Burkett, Kiana Bush, Ana Bustos, Nikko Cabrera, Nely Candelario, Carla Cazares, Hafis Ceesay, Taylor Cerda, Cristian Cervantes, Ryan Charles, Stephanie Chavez, Olha Chepul, Benjamin Chesley, Breanna Choice, Raquel Coe, Treasure Coleman, Sydney Collins, Anna Combs, Caroline Conneen, Marianna Cornelio, Ruth Cornelio-Palacios, Tasiyah Cornelius, Rossy Cortez, La’Mia Daniels, Lamin Darboe, Ana Davenport, Kendra DeGuentz, Melanie Delatrinidad, Dikatore Dewberry-Brooks, Dakota Dewees, Jovanka Diaz, Claudia Duran, Daniel Durand, Kate Durbin, Taylor Eboupeke, Alejandro Echeverria, Maria Echeverria, Nia Edwards, Karla Elias Sanchez, Destiny Ellis, Rachel Emanuel, Aidan Epperson, Chris Escalante, Pablo Espinosa, Fabiola Espinoza, Travis Farley, Daniel Ferreira, Carlos Flores, Gissel Flores, Stephany Flores, Tatum Foster, Zyan Foster, Raniqua Franklin, Alisha Galindo, Stephanie Gandarilla, Ismael Garcia, Leslie Garcia, Yasmin Garcia, Jeremy Giles, Shataria Gilstrap, Ta’Niya Gipson, Nancy Giron, Laura Gomez, Julyici Gonzalez, Akoshua Gordon, Constana Goss, Kristin Gouldthorpe, Autumn Green, Anthony Gummer, Jasmin Gutierrez, Aracely Guzman, Kennedy Hamilton, Madeleine Hardy, Gabrielle Haskett, Lanikka Hawthorne, Jaelynn Hernandez, Leonardo Hernandez, Natali Hernandez, Rosalva Hernandez, Amalie Hester, Colby Hicks, Jadyn Hippard, Chelsea Hodge, Haley Hollis, Rebekah Howard, Hannah Hunter, Jazmine Hunter, Aaliyah Iglesias, John Ignacio, Jodi Ingle, Anthony Jackson, Essence Jackson, Jaylen Jackson, Samuel Jaimes, Ashlyn Jenkins, Brandy Jetton, Bryan Jimenez Cuevas, Scarlett Johanson, Chelsea Johnson, Grayson Jones, Ta Dasha Jones, Leon Kaba, Destin Kaufman Caldwell, Robyn Knight, Danny Lara, Josselyn Lara, Ricardo Lara, Florence Patrick Larano, Kenya Lawrence, Betty Lemon, Caiden Leon-Duffey, Johnathan Lewis, Kimberly Lewis, Daja Lindsey, Benjamin Little, Veronica Little, Jennifer Lopez, Jose Lopez, Mariano Lozano, Teresa Lozano, Hannah Majors, Olimpia Maldonado, Sean-Michael Mallard, Celina Martinez, Erick Martinez, Linda Martinez, Lyzbeth Martinez, Maria Isabel Martinez, Natalia Martinez, Seth Matlock, Hlompho Mautsoe, Kiersten McCloud, Noah McGowan, Macie McLeod, Sandra McPherson, Samuel Merrell, Kieler Miller, Mallory Mitchell, Taylor Mitchell, Lizbeth Mojarro, Jasmine Moore, Zakaylah Moore, Angie Mora, Katie Morris, Thomas Muniz, Brooke Murie, Barrett Nelson, Samuel Nichols, Oscar Nunez, Aimee Olivares, Ricardo Olivares, Avoree Oliver, Priscila Oviedo Nunez, Arianna Ozornia, Desiree Palacios, Estrella Palacios, Addison Palmer, Ronald Paz, Robert Peacock, Samantha Petitt, Brayden Pike, Jackelin Preciado, Andrea Prentice, Jonathan Price, Dalarin Puckett, Joanny Puentes, Leslie Quintanilla, Belen Quintero, Estefanie Ramirez, Gabriela Ramirez, Eunice Ramirez Marin, Adriana Ramos, Victor Ramos, Jameson Rapp, Cody Reinert, Jeanette Reyes, Lynnde Reyes, Lizabeth Robles, Tristan Rogers, Claudia Rojas, Alex Roman, Karina Romero Gaytan, Rubi Rosales, Jessica Rosenbalm, Kristiauna Ruben, Jim Rubia, Samantha Runnals, Adriana Salazar, Xavier Salinas, Jacob Sanchez, Janetzy Sanchez, Stephanie Sanchez, Dillon Santos, Wyatt Schaub, Jessica Schultz, Olivia Scott, Rubi Sevilla, Mia Shaw, Justin Shaw-Moore, Monika Shipley, Madelyn Simon, Amanda Smith, Conner Smith, Stephanie Smith, April Snyder, Jocelyn Stafford, Jakerian Stinnette, Phillip Susewind, Adan Tapia, Codye Taylor, Quincy Taylor, Yvonne Terrazas, Frances Thomas, Adilene Tidwell, Gerson Toj Aleman, Melanie Torres, Jacqueline Tovar, Hallie Tresner, John Troxell, Mallory Tucker, Fauziyya Tukur, Jadasia Turner, Timera Turner, Andrea Vargas, Frank Vargas, Xoe Varner, Emily Velazquez, Blanca Vergara, Ruth Vizcaino, David Vo, Carlos Vuelvas, Denise Walker, Mia Wallace, Bailee Warren, Katelyn Wells, Alanah Wheeler, Shermica White, Kristen Wiggins, Kadie Wilkins, Carlie Williams, Emily Willis, AbbyGayle Winn, Guadalupe Yanez, Gerardo Zavala, Esmeralda Zeferino
UNIVERSAL CITY: John Solitaire
VAN: Lazarus Caldwell, Jessamyn Coss, Madison Hill, Richard Ingledue, Nathaniel Murray, Joanna Salguero Rodriguez
VENUS: Dominique Oliver
VINTON, Louisiana: Matthew Joseph
WACO: Kristen Davenport
WHITE HALL, Arkansas: Christon Fitzgerald
WHITE OAK: Ryan Bowdoin, Robert Rivera
WHITEHOUSE: Brittany Alexander, Leiaj Almazan, Rosemary Anderson, Christian Bynum, Danielle Cassady, Jaycie Chambless, Carlie Cobb, Natalie Decur, Courtney Deegan, Rochelle Hulme, Sean Hulme, Joshua Jernigan, Denisha Mathews, Jennifer Motes, Darius Perkins, Taylor Reeves, ShaiLynn Reynolds, Jonathan Scott, Reiley Spears, Kayla Stallworth, Salma Umme, Wendy Velin, Makayla Wallace
WILLS POINT: Christian Aquino, Jocelyn Wilson
WINNSBORO: Ariel Lindsley, Sierra Williams
WINONA: Tony Casada, Celeste Castillo Vasquez, Demarquay Ford, Daniela Gomez, Gloria Miller
WORTHAM: Lauren Samford
YANTIS: Sarah Perry Hazelwood, Makayla Pullen