PTC alumna Dr. Tracy Pedigo encouraged graduates to stay humble but fearless during his remarks.
Courtesy photos
Hailey Willis served as the student speaker during the morning commencement ceremony, reflecting on how much she and her classmates learned at PTC.
Courtesy photos
During the afternoon ceremony, Tamara Williams-Teasley spoke on the important role her classmates played in PTC’s nursing program.
Courtesy photos
NEWBERRY COUNTY — Piedmont Technical College graduates listened to inspiring speeches before collecting their diplomas during two commencement ceremonies on Dec. 11.
PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers thanked staff members for their efforts to bring Fall 2025 graduation to the Little River Multicultural Complex in Hodges, South Carolina.
“Your dedication and attention to detail truly created an excellent environment for today’s ceremony,” Rivers said. “As many of you know, we are currently expanding the Family Life and Conference Center, our traditional graduation venue, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to that revitalized space when it reopens in 2027.”
Community speaker and PTC alumna Dr. Tracy Pedigo urged graduates to stay humble but fearless.
“Don’t be afraid of the big moments. Don’t be afraid of leadership. Don’t be afraid to make decisions that scare you a little,” he said. “Fear is often the first sign that you’re standing in a place where growth is possible.”
Hailey Willis was the student speaker during the morning commencement ceremony. She spoke about how much she and her classmates had learned at PTC.
“At Piedmont Tech, we’ve learned far more than what was written in our textbooks,” she said. “We learned the value of persistence. We learned how to adapt, especially in a world that changes faster than we can refresh our browsers. We learned to support one another — through group projects that tested our patience, late-night study sessions fueled by coffee, and professors who challenged us to give our very best, even when ‘good enough’ seemed easier.”
Tamara Williams-Teasley was the student speaker during the afternoon commencement ceremony. She emphasized the important role that her classmates played in PTC’s nursing program.
“Along the way, we built friendships that will last a lifetime — we shared countless laughs, many at ourselves, and even more at each other’s creative ways of surviving nursing school,” she said. “Through it all, we never stopped showing up. And that’s what matters.”
The following are the Newberry County graduates for the 2025 fall semester:
LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Samantha Elise Herod, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; and Emily Grace Mills, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration.
NEWBERRY — Jacqueline Arvizu Molina, certificate in advanced welding; Gabriel Marcus Borden, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, networking concentration/certificate in PC technician; Blake H. Chappell, certificate in advanced welding; Kimberly N. Dewalt, associate in applied science, major in business administration, human resources generalist concentration; Preston Rashad Dewalt, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Lachina Feaster, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; Lauren Courtney Summers Folk, certificate in accounting; Kayven Marqua Gibson, associate in applied science, major in automotive technology/certificate in automotive fundamentals; Erika Hite, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Maritzell Jacome-Gomez, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Dariyan Simone Kreps-Foster, certificate in advanced welding; Justin Lucas, associate in science; Gissela Luis-Sanchez, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; Shawn L. Marshall, associate in applied science, major in business administration/associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration; Emily Torres, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Mary E. Tucker, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; and Iesha Latona Wheeler, associate in science.
PROSPERITY — Adrienne D. Beck, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Jacob L. Huffstetler, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; Jamal O’Brien Mendenhall, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; and Destiny Elaine Swanson, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
SILVERSTREET — Cassie Gilliam, associate in arts.
WHITMIRE — Jada Danielle Perez, associate in applied science, major in early care and education/certificate in early childhood development.