Goldsboro, N.C. – A total of 107 students were celebrated this week as they turned their tassels and received diplomas during a graduation ceremony at Wayne Community College, marking the successful completion of the school’s Transitional Programs for College and Career (TPCC).
The graduates—ranging in age and background—completed either the Adult High School (AHS) or High School Equivalency (HSE) program. The AHS program serves students aged 16 and up seeking to finish high school through coursework. The HSE program prepares adults 18 and older to take exams like the GED or HiSET to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
Graduates beamed with pride as they crossed the stage, many overcoming personal and academic challenges on their journey. Perla Villa-Proa, who began working toward her diploma in February, said she is now excited to pursue a degree in Business Administration at WCC.
For fellow graduate Farrad Edwards, the moment represented the culmination of years of education and hard work. “It feels good,” he said. “I keep telling my friends to come here to finish their high school education, too.”
The commencement address was delivered by 20-year-old graduate Briana McClendon, who shared her emotional and inspiring story of perseverance. McClendon became a mother at 16 and left school twice before returning to complete her education at WCC.
“I dropped out again, ended up homeless, and started working two jobs just to survive,” McClendon shared. Her motivation? Her daughter. “She is the reason I pushed forward every single day and the reason I had to grow up so fast.”
Now a proud graduate, McClendon plans to join the U.S. Air Force. “I kept going when it seemed impossible. I faced doubts from others and from myself, but here I am, and I’m proud,” she said. “You can do anything you put your mind to. And remember: better late than never.”
The TPCC program is designed to support students as they achieve their educational goals and prepare for college, careers, or military service. The program continues to be a beacon of opportunity in Wayne County.
Wayne Community College 2025 TPCC Graduates
Adult High School Graduates
| TPCC Graduates | TPCC Graduates | TPCC Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Ammarion Amir Allen | Ayden Nathaniel Artis | Ashari Monae-Louise Blackman |
| Breyana Irvinia Brown | Derrick Jaishon Brown | Johnice Terelle Bryant |
| Floricienne Cina | Robert JaMarion Dixon | Alana Brianne Drummond |
| Farrad Amir Edwards | Arianna Ishanae Ellis | Melissa Fernandez |
| Unique Inzya Godwin | Alma Yosellin Gomez | Rogelio Gonzalez-Hernandez |
| Joseph Edward Ham | Mylie Grace Hatfield | My’kyia Symone Hines |
| Alande Lambert | Kaleb Dalton Lassiter | Juell Amonte Leach |
| Amanda Lopez-Gonzalez | Briana LaShawn McClendon | Summer Scarlett McCloud |
| Rashon Donnelle McLaurin | Candice Danielle Modica | Khalia Zi Moore |
| Samir Nahjay Morgan | Ja’son Tyquez Patterson | Madison Elizabeth Patterson |
| Kevin David Perez Mejia | Paola Nicole Silva Diaz | Laurene Helen-Marie Travis |
| David Luis Vegas |
High School Equivalency Graduates
| TPCC Graduates | TPCC Graduates | TPCC Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley Elizabeth Adams | Donisha Savannah Ajala Armstrong | Caleb Dominique Benjamin |
| Christopher Allen Bolling | Ciara Martie Borja | Ayden Pitt Braswell |
| Devion Brown | Nicole Janay Bryant-Alvarado | Thelma Bryant-Alvarado |
| Nicholas Paul Cameron | Carina Campos | John Larry Carlisle |
| Samuel Chavez | Chrishanda Abrianna Chestnutt | Evan Michael Cooper |
| Jonathan Kyle Courtney | John Cox | Keona Dawson |
| Jeffrey Chance Eaker | Justin G. Enswasher | Jacob Elliott Errante |
| Luke Farley | Kadin Mathison Farmer-White | Brandon Christopher Figueroa |
| Altadaelle Saika Francois | James Garcia-Morales | Keiana Hankins |
| Tariq Hankins | Hanna Viola Harper | Eric Daniel Howard |
| Araceli Huerta | Sean David Jones | Edmund King |
| Katie Lynn Kostelecky | Terrill Leach | Brian Keith Lewis |
| Dashun E’sai McKinnon | Maleak Roshod McLaurin | Frank Mecimore |
| Phoenix Miller | Braxton Miller | William Hunter Minyard |
| Jamar Armal Moye | Jessica Blaine Moye | Jessie Allen Nelson |
| Jasma Yanik Outlaw | Presley Peterson | Amya Lashay Pope |
| Kassidy Purnell | Cody Lance Ritch | Tomas Rivera Mercado |
| Angel Manuel Rodriguez | Jesus Romero | Candice Ann Rose |
| Rosario Edith Ruiz Piñon | Hannah Salyards | Candi Samuda Blackwood |
| Kameron Scott Sauls | Steve Shifflett | Marcellus Carlyle Sinclair |
| Kasey Lee Starr | Cody Forest Stewart | Hunter Lamar Stewart |
| Christopher Larry Strickland | Matthew Ray Tetteron | Perla Yocelyn Villa-Proa |
| Justin Cesar Villeda | Richard Andrew Westbrook | Chaiquria Imani Williams |
| Zachary Dean Williams | Zachary Houston Winebarger | Bryson Blaire Woodell |
| Alexia Leigh Yelvington |
