The familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” fill the gymnasium, signaling the procession of graduates, dressed in their brilliant blue caps and gowns, ready to receive the long-awaited fruits of their labor.

Snead State Community College honored the largest group of graduates participating in the Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 7, in the Plunkett-Wallace Gymnasium. The bleachers were filled with friends and family of the 280 participants and the College, joining together for the momentous celebration. Another 55 graduates participated in a separate Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, for student-athletes.

Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore addressed the graduates on their special evening, reminding of something important that wasn’t their education.

“I want to talk to you about something even more important than the education you’ve just earned. Something that will matter more than your degree, your job title, or the size of your paycheck…This is a skill that, when paired with your degree, will definitely make you stand out above others. I want to talk to you about kindness.

“Your education is valuable. It opens doors. It creates opportunities. It gives you the tools to build a future. But it is not what will define your life. Kindness will. Education can teach you how to make a living, but kindness, combined with your faith, will teach you how to live,” Dr. Whitmore said.

He encouraged the graduates to exhibit kindness with their careers and their lives. “In our world today, kindness stands out. Kindness makes people notice you. But kindness isn’t always easy. Real kindness – the kind that changes lives – shows up when it’s hard, when someone treats you unfairly, when you’re overlooked, when you are criticized or ridiculed for your opinions, when you’re tired, stressed, or discouraged. You have to make the conscious decision that you will be kind anyways regardless of your circumstances. And that’s also where your faith comes in. Because faith gives you the strength to choose kindness when your instincts tell you not to. Kindness isn’t separate from faith. It is the evidence of it.

“Graduates, your education will give you knowledge. Your faith will give you direction. But it will be your kindness that will determine your impact.”

The impact of the graduates during their time at Snead State was a focal point of the Commencement ceremony. In addition to students receiving their diplomas, graduates were also recognized for their achievements.

Jennifer Wiley of Albertville received the Civitan Best All-Around Student Award. The Civitan Award is presented annually to the Best All-Around Student of the graduating class. To be eligible for this award, the student must have attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters and attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.0 on a four-point scale. In addition, the student should have participated in extracurricular and community activities. The student is elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates who are participating in the graduation ceremonies.

Ely Bonilla of Albertville was awarded the James B. Allen Award. The award is presented annually to the Outstanding Student of the graduating class, but this year both students were chosen. This award is a gift of the late James B. Allen, United States Senator from Alabama. To be eligible for this award, the student must have exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership and service, attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.5, and attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters. Recipients are elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates participating in the Spring ceremony.

Snead State has 13 Dual Enrollment students earning short-term certificates as well as their high school diplomas. From Douglas High School, Krish Nitesh Patel, Angeline Martinez Colin, and Maddigrace Y. Murray participated in the Snead State Commencement. Joining them were Bricia Coronado Saenz and Jimena Hernandez from Appalachian High School. Valeria Espinoza, Jessika Soto Elizarraraz, and Keira N. Victorio represented Cleveland High School during the ceremony. From Locust Fork High School, Jacie Pettigrew and Emma G. White participated. Isabelle Cornelius and Zoey M. Trombley from Oneonta High School and Karla Chacon from Susan Moore High School were also among the Dual Enrollment graduates.

Student recognitions continued when Snead State Executive Project Director of Workforce Enhancement Dr. Greg Randall recognized students in the Apprenticeship Program who graduated – Darlene Chamblee of Leesburg, Asheanna Crowe of Rainbow City, Liza Kate Franklin of Guntersville, Stephanie Gonzales-Perez of Albertville, Samantha Hollingsworth of Boaz, Kaitlyn Krabill of Albertville, Tina Collins of Crossville, Celine Roberson of Boaz, Makeisha Davis of Gadsden, Kailee Garner of Dawson, Logan Carmichael of Albertville, Domingo Pablo-Alonzo of Boaz, Jakob Myrick of Albertville, and Landon Holland of Boaz. The students earn while they learn by completing their training with industry partners such as Marshall Medical Center South, Riverview Regional Medical Center, Diversicare of Boaz, Highline Warren, Atrion Medical, and Southern Metal Fabricators.

Samantha Mechelle Gomez of Albertville, who also served as the secretary for the Student Government Association, gave the invocation, and Valerio Jacinto Garcia of Boaz, a Snead State Ambassador, gave a benediction before the graduates exited the gym in a recessional, ending this year’s Commencement Ceremony. The Jazz Band and the College Street Singers also performed during the ceremony.