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PEARL – Christian Minor’s mother, Carolyn Goodlett, was seriously injured in a car wreck in 2001 and required 16 surgeries to get back on her feet.

“When I saw how the doctors and nurses took care of her, it made me want to go into the healthcare field,” Minor said. “It helped me develop of love for nursing.”

Minor, of Jackson, earned his credential in Associate Degree Nursing from ����Ӱ�� during summer graduation ceremonies Aug. 2 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. He was among 572 students who earned 672 credentials from the college this summer.

He’ll capitalize on the military cord he wore when he walked across the stage to receive his degree.

“After school, I plan on going to work for the VA Hospital,” Minor said.

Christian Minor, left, and his mother, Carolyn Goodlett (����Ӱ��/April Garon)

Speaking to nursing and allied health program graduates was Rosalyn Howard, executive director of the Mississippi Nurses Foundation. She stressed persistence and patience to graduates as they head into the workforce.

“Many of you will have roadblocks with employment, roadblocks with advancements, and roadblocks in relationships,” Howard said. “Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the promotion you desperately wanted, because something bigger is always in store. It is during those times you show everyone how a ����Ӱ�� graduate can stand in the face of adversity, show strength in the face of despair, and fight to the end to reach their goal.”

From left, Lindsey Jeselink, of Clinton, Alexis Rader, of Vicksburg, Lesa Wilson, program director, Kashayla Edwards, of Mount Olive, Linda Holley, of Natchez, and Kacie McCluskey, of Greenwood (����Ӱ��/April Garon)

Among the first group of graduates were five students who graduated with key certifications in Diagnostic Medical Sonography this summer, enabling five graduates to pursue a nearly limitless list of career opportunities.

Kashayla Edwards, of Mount Olive, Linda Holley, of Natchez, Lindsey Jeselink, of Clinton, Kacie McCluskey, of Greenwood, and Alexis Rader, of Vicksburg, passed both the Sonography Principals & Instrumentation Physics Certification and Abdominal Sonography Certification exams given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) prior to graduation.

The five women graduated as Board Certified Sonographers with credentials that allow them to work almost anywhere in the world, said program director Lesa Wilson.

“In addition, all students have been hired in sonography positions,” Wilson said. “These students are amazing and inspiring.”

Speaking to academic and technical graduates was Steve Gaines, who represents District 4 on the Rankin County Board of Supervisors. Gaines implored graduates to be unafraid of new challenges in life and maintain good character.

“Turn your fear of facing something new, different, unusual or challenging into an opportunity to become more of who God created you to be,” Gaines said. “Do the right thing when no one is looking. Allowing yourself to do small wrong things will slowly chip away at your character.”

Among the second group of graduates was Charles Bass, of Byram, who earned all three major credentials in career-tech — in his case, for the Logistics Technology program. Bass is already employed at the Vantec-Hitachi plant in Canton, but returned to school to build his skills.

“I’m just trying to build up my opportunities in this new field,” Bass said.