Seven Wharton High School seniors participated in Wharton County Junior College’s recent commencement after earning enough college credit hours during their high school years to obtain an associate’s degree. From left are Wharton ISD Superintendent Tina Herrington, Angel Cuevas, Everardo Cuevas, Nayelli Cuevas, Cecilia Cuevas, Thomas Garza, Carlos Vargas, Christian Garcia and WCJC President Betty McCrohan.
WHARTON, TEXAS – Seven Wharton High School seniors were among the 285 Wharton County Junior College graduates participating in the college’s recent commencement exercises.
Held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, the dual events saw record attendance and stellar participation on the part of graduates who walked across the stage in the Pioneer Gym on the Wharton campus to receive their associate of arts degree, associate of applied science degree or associate of arts in teaching degree. The college set up a live broadcast of the ceremony in the Horton Foote Theatre to accommodate the overflow crowd.
The seven high school students participated in the morning ceremony as part of the Realizing Our Academic Reward (ROAR) Academy, a partnership between Wharton County Junior College and Wharton Independent School District that for the past four years has allowed a select group of students to earn upwards of 60 college-level credit hours while still enrolled in high school.
Of the inaugural ROAR class of 28 students, only seven – Cecilia Cuevas, Everardo Cuevas, Angel Cuevas Jr., Nayelli Cuevas, Thomas Garza, Carlos Vargas and Christian Garcia – completed enough credit hours to earn an associate’s degree and walk at the WCJC commencement exercises.
Students and faculty were also recognized during the event. The President’s Award was presented to Elizabeth Leon of Rosenberg and High Grade Point Average Awards were presented to Gilberto Borja-Anorve of Palacios and Ashlee Jochec of El Campo. Jochec also received the Outstanding Service Award, which identifies a student who best exemplifies the spirit of service to the college and the community.
Four WCJC instructors were recognized with Awards of Teaching Excellence: Instructor of Psychology Jodie Hutchinson, Instructor of Mathematics Yvonne Smith, Instructor of Engineering Design Haydee Ruiz and Instructor of Developmental Reading Phyllis Appling.
Special music for the two ceremonies was provided by the WCJC Choir under the direction of Choir Director Dr. Kevin Klotz and accompanied by Instructor of Music Debra Lemson.
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