Speaker at Piedmont Technical College 2025 Fall commencement encourages graduates to stay humble but fearless
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) 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."
Photo galleries from the commencement ceremonies can be viewed online. Professional prints or high-resolution downloads of photos in these galleries can be purchased at a minimal cost.
PLEASE NOTE: PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE’S DECEMBER 2025 GRADUATES AND THEIR AREAS OF STUDY ARE LISTED BELOW.
Piedmont Tech shares in the well-deserved pride our graduates feel in their accomplishments. Due to semester and course delivery changes during the 2025 fall semester, some courses and grades are still being finalized. For that reason, names of students who may not meet graduation requirements may be included. Conversely, names of students who will later meet those requirements after publication may be omitted. We regret any embarrassment or inconvenience these ongoing course completions may cause. An official list of all 2025 fall graduates will be maintained by the Student Records Office once all courses and grading have been completed.
ABBEVILLE COUNTY
ABBEVILLE – Brandon Kenneth Arnold, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; Crayton Andrew Bannister, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology; Thomas Cregg Booth, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology; ***Sara Elizabeth Myers, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Kristi R. Smith, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; *Avery J. Thomas, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, networking concentration/*certificate in PC technician; **Bridget Gabriella Skye White, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; Deanna Jordan Whittle, associate in applied science, major in business administration; **Brady Wilson, associate in applied science, major in automotive technology; and *Carson Dale Wilson, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
DONALDS – Hunter L. Gamble, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; ***Amanda Joy Graber, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant; and Kaytlin Grace Smith, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
HONEA PATH – *Jared Andrew Ledbetter, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology.
WARE SHOALS – David Blease Ballenger, certificate in advanced welding.
AIKEN COUNTY
AIKEN – Jayla Moore, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.
BEECH ISLAND – James L. Hall, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, legal concentration.
MONETTA – ***Carlee Holsonback Spradley, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology.
ANDERSON COUNTY
ANDERSON – *Brice Clayton Anderson, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Tai’Leah S. Crawford, associate in arts; *Felicia Duncan, associate in applied science, major in business administration; **Lori Carpenter Engram, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; and Michael Romano, associate in applied science, major in general technology, gunsmithing concentration.
HONEA PATH – **Jasmine Grace Higginbotham, associate in science.
IVA – Breanna Laflamme, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
WILLIAMSTON – Madison Taylor Botts, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; and Joshua Cobb, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY
EDGEFIELD – Tyasia S. Burton, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Gavin Thomas Seawright, certificate in advanced welding; and Jazmyne Victoria Vera, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice.
JOHNSTON – Amber Nyoniah Butler, associate in science.
NORTH AUGUSTA – ***Kelly O’Donal, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology.
TRENTON – Charlene M. Dozier, associate in arts/associate in science.
GREENVILLE COUNTY
GREENVILLE – Ericka Tanya Diggs, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.
GREER – Christopher Jamal Sullivan, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
MAULDIN – ***Taylor Shae Gill, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography; and Danielle Ciara Scott, associate in applied science, major in business administration, human resources generalist concentration.
GREENWOOD COUNTY
DONALDS – Courtney Michelle Dennin, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; and Triston Riley Reece, associate in applied science, major in mechanical engineering technology.
GREENWOOD – Cadence Ables, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Rachel Tolbert Blair, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Evan D. Boggs, associate in arts/certificate in university studies; Isaiah C. Bollman, associate in applied science, major in automotive technology/certificate in automotive fundamentals; **Azshianna Chamir Brown, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; **Kaitlin Leigh Burton, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Araceli Cruz, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Logan Eugene Day, associate in arts; Audrey Rebecca Dobbins, associate in arts; *Charlie K. Duff, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Tijona Bri’Sha Freeman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Emily Susannah Fricks, associate in applied science, major in nursing; William Drayton Fricks, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Kaydence Joan Glanton, associate in arts/associate in science; Taureanna Goode, associate in science; Marquidris A. Gray, certificate in photography/*certificate in advertising design; *Breanna Nicole Harvley, associate in applied science, major in human services; Cassandra Anita Hawes, certificate in office technician; Adam Judson Hembree, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; Crystal Hernandez, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Jasmine Michelle Holloway, associate in science; Michael Anthony Hudgens, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology; adult echocardiography concentration; *Dallas Dessaray Hutchinson, associate in arts; Sherri Johnson, associate in applied science, major in nursing; **Colton Randall Jones, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Kenan Jones, certificate in advanced welding; Alexcia La’Teona Kennedy, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Griffin James Kirby, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Miriam Alice Klugh, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration/certificate in office technician; Reinald Corpuz Lazo, associate in applied science, major in nursing; *Leonia Chaunsi Long, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; Zachary Devargae Mcduffie, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Maya Demetriana Middleton, associate in arts; *Justin Alaric Miller, associate in arts; **Tkyra Kylee Mumphrey, associate in science; Harley Nickles, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; *Terry Douglas Parker, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, invasive concentration; *Jamison Elliott Parler, associate in applied science, major in general technology, photography with advertising design concentration/**certificate in photography; Danecia Damya Patterson, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Angela Michelle Payne, associate in applied science, major in business administration, human resources generalist concentration; Eric Pedroza, associate in arts; *Myka Delacruz Petines, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; ***Mariana Pinkard, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Kadijah Dayshuna Purvis, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Katherine Grace Rains, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Alejandro A. Ramos Ubaldo, certificate in advanced welding; Truely Rhinehart, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Cortasia Dominique Robinson, associate in arts/*certificate in university studies; Antonio Taboada Roman, associate in science/certificate in university studies; **David Taboada Roman, certificate in automotive fundamentals; Tiyonia Nichole Ross, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Marisol Sanchez Hernandez, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; Ashleigh E. Shirley, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Taylor Sims, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Ashley Timms Tollison, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Jalisha Kalaysia Tucker, associate in applied science, major in early care and education/certificate in early childhood development; *Rochell M. Walker, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; and Hailey Willis, associate in applied science, major in human services.
HODGES – *Casey Wood Barnett, certificate in automotive fundamentals; **Georgette Melissa Branham, certificate in accounting; Destiny Ann Colson, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Bridgette G. Harrison, associate in arts/certificate in university studies; Irvin Martinez Hernandez, associate in arts/*certificate in university studies; Aimee Farmer Pearson, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; *Christina Renee Richardson, associate in applied science, major in business administration, human resources generalist concentration; and Desmond Shavon Walker, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration.
NINETY SIX – *Darien Trey Brown, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Alyssa McInville Burdette, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; *Phillip Nicholas Gonce, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; Erin Reid Keller, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Tyana Shaquarius Mingo, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration/certificate in accounting; **Preston P. Pittman, associate in applied science, major in mechatronics technology; **Jodi Brooke Todd, associate in applied science, major in business administration; and Darion C. Williams, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
TROY – Brittany Deanda Hastings, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Mercedes Lean Ouzts, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.
WARE SHOALS – **Haley Kendall Amick, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, invasive concentration; Brandi Lauren Egan, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Tiffany Shanee Elmore, associate in applied science, major in human services; and *Kristi Laine Johnson, certificate in office technician.
HORRY COUNTY
MYRTLE BEACH – **Mary Hughes, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice.
KERSHAW COUNTY
KERSHAW – Hope Williams, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
LAURENS COUNTY
CLINTON – **Addison Leigh Bledsoe, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Somekia C. Key-Williams, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Reisha A. Mccrea, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Cheyenne Mcgill, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Alyssa Mackenslie Price, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Harley Ray, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration; and Idalia Villa, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration.
CROSS HILL – *Darlene Bell Edwards, certificate in office technician.
GRAY COURT – Tiffany Brooke Harlan, associate in arts; Shannon L. Martin, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Kindra Leigh McClain, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Kayla Eiff McGaha, associate in applied science, major in business administration, human resources generalist concentration; and Shealy Leighann Werts, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
LAURENS – Elida Andres Manuel, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration/certificate in accounting; Journee Blanding, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Dylan Ethan Brown, associate in arts; *Carol Candice Brooke Collins, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Charles Everett Crowder, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, cybersecurity concentration; Alissa Kay Dawson, associate in applied science, major in business administration; Heidi Hernandez, associate in applied science, major in business administration, accounting concentration/certificate in accounting; Ian S. Hurley, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, programming concentration; Ashlee Patricia Malone, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; *Amy Lauren Philson, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration; and *Lillian Sheyenne Pruitt, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
WARE SHOALS – Tonya Michelle Knight, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
WATERLOO – Ashley Kay Brock-Hill, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; and *Lauren Brooke Dotson, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, invasive concentration.
LEXINGTON COUNTY
BATESBURG – Mikela Sowards, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
CHAPIN – Latoya Bowers, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration/associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, legal concentration.
COLUMBIA – Alexandria Moore, associate in arts; and David Tyrone Riley, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
GILBERT – Abbigail Elizabeth Dew, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
LEESVILLE – **Emma Delaney McCaffrey, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology.
McCORMICK COUNTY
McCORMICK – Zada Skyy Brown, associate in applied science, major in business administration; **Noah David Harper, certificate in university studies; Rhonda Denise Key, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; and **Geranika Shania Anderson, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, accounting concentration.
NEWBERRY COUNTY
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.
RICHLAND COUNTY
BLYTHEWOOD – Carita Chaya Billings, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; and Audreyano Latrice Thomas, associate in arts.
COLUMBIA – Desiree Bookman, associate in applied science, major in human services.
IRMO – Daniel Shull, associate in science.
SALUDA COUNTY
JOHNSTON – Cierra Teresa Attaway, associate in applied science, major in human services; and Sara Frances Wates, associate in applied science, major in business administration, management concentration.
LEESVILLE – *Allisa Laurel Hite, associate in applied science, major in diversified agriculture.
SALUDA – **Joy Byrd, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, networking concentration; Alejandro Cardenas-Perez, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Sergio Carlos Romero, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology/certificate in refrigeration applications; and **Alicea Caroline Warren, associate in applied science, major in occupational therapy assistant.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY
WELLFORD – Sherri Carter Wilkins, associate in arts/certificate in university studies.
WOODRUFF – **Jeremy Greene, associate in applied science, major in business administration.
YORK COUNTY
ROCK HILL – *Morgan Taylor Lail, associate in science; and **Riugene Keilla Malabed, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, invasive concentration.
OUT OF STATE
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Brittany Benjamin, associate in science/*certificate in university studies.
GROVETOWN, Ga. – Siphokazi Serobatse, associate in applied science, major in nursing.
HEPHZIBAH, Ga. – **Carl B. Smith, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, adult echocardiography concentration.
SILT, Colo. – Randy C. Crews, associate in science/certificate in university studies.
***Summa Cum Laude-4.0 **Magna Cum Laude-3.75-3.99 *Cum Laude-3.5-3.74