HCC Central’s TRiO Student Support Services Program held their Graduation and Awards Banquet on May 1 from noon 3 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Houston.

The 2015 graduates and other students received recognition for their effort and for being added to the Honors or Dean’s List.

Dr. LaTonya Jones, Director of TRiO SSSP, gave the opening remarks, following the Central College President, Dr. William Harmon.

Five of the graduates gave testimonials to answer why TRiO works.

Graduate Lashundria Small performed a spoken word poem entitled “A Way to Sunrise”, as one of her testimonials. “With TRiO, I found my way, His way, [a] way.”

“It [TRiO] is like a family,” stated graduate Maurice Barksdale.

Graduate Robert Ridley offered words of encouragement to his classmates, “If you know, teach. If you get, give, and you will never be without.”

Honors and awards were presented by TRiO Program Adviser Carla Ferguson and door prizes were issued to those with winning tickets.

Congratulations graduates of 2015! Here is a full list of TRiO graduates:

Mistura Adebayo
Deshunna Anthony
Maurice Barksdale
Melanie Bell
Samira Ben Salka
Ousmane Bocoum
Suzanna Byrd
Lauren Castillo
Shumona Collins
Mariah Curtis
Xavier Fobbs
Marvel Frank
Cheryl Haas
Saron Kibrom
Natalia Limon
Ekene Mkpor
Chijoke Nduji
Robert Ridley
Louise Rutherford
Lashundria Small
Kierra Smith
Toreeker Taylor