SCC Holds Workforce Continuing Education Graduation Ceremonies

(Pinehurst, NC) – Sandhills Community College celebrated the achievements of its Workforce Continuing Education students on Tuesday, June 16 with ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart presided over both ceremonies along with distinguished guests and administrators. The welcome was offered by Board of Trustee members Richard Maness at 10 a.m. and Billy Carter at 2 p.m. Bill Caudill played the bagpipes, employee Emily Waldrop performed The Star Spangled Banner, and the Southern Pines Fire Department presented the colors. The keynote speakers were Carol Hough and Tanya McNeill.

“Graduation is not the end of our journey,” said Hough, keynote speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony. “It is the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities and dreams waiting to be fulfilled. We did not give up. We kept going, one assignment, one exam, and one challenge at a time. And now we are celebrating the results of all those efforts. There will still be obstacles and moments of doubt, but today proves that we are capable of more than we once imagined.”

Hough moved to the United States after being born and raised in Costa Rica until she was twelve years old. After marriage and children, she attended Sandhills Community College and studied Computer Engineering. She was a part-time intern and later hired by the college for a full-time position in the IT department. In addition, she became a citizen of the US after taking citizenship classes at SCC to prepare for the exam.  “This class became one of the most valuable experiences of my life. From the first moment I stepped onto campus, I felt welcomed, valued, and, most importantly, that I belonged. SCC became a place where I discovered my potential, built confidence, and found a community that truly cared about my success.”

McNeill, keynote speaker at 2 p.m., shared with students and guests that her life of child rearing, marriage, divorce, and care giving for her grandmother, tested her but she chose to remain committed to her family while not giving up on her educational goals. “I chose Sandhills Community College because it represents more than just education to me – it represents perseverance, opportunity, and growth. SCC was where my journey first began on 2005, and returning here reminded me that no matter how many times life interrupts your plans, you can always start again. The support, encouragement, and opportunities I have found here helped me believe in myself even during difficult seasons of my life. No matter what challenges you face, it is okay to pause – but never give up. Life may test you and even redirect you but your dreams are still valid,” she said to her classmates. McNeill completed the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program at SCC. She also holds an Associate of Science degree in Healthcare Management from Ultimate Medical Academy, earned in 2018.