Montgomery County Community College celebrated a graduation event for students in its educational partnerships and student success programs including its Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness (POWER) and ACT 101 Scholars programs. Fifty-nine students, including graduating students and those being recognized for their achievements, were honored at the event held inside the Fine Arts Center on Blue Bell Campus May 12.

“Welcome to all attendees and guests to this important event, our Educational Partnerships Graduation and Student Success event,” said Tiffany Webber, Executive Director of Educational Partnerships. “We are here to celebrate the graduation of our POWER students; the graduation of our ACT 101 students; and KEYS Program students graduates. We also want to acknowledge some of our students who are not yet graduating but their outstanding efforts are to be recognized. We applaud the students for their hard work, resilience, persistence, and perseverance this past year. I encourage all of our current and graduating students to remain diligent and continue to work towards your goals.”

The KEYS program is designed to help support students in their academic endeavors and remove potential roadblocks to help obtain a degree or certificate at the College.

The POWER program helps individuals living in recovery from mental health, substance use and/or trauma disorders, or who participate in services offered by the Montgomery County Office of Health and Human Services gain connections through a success coach to campus life, in order to develop their confidence as student, and discover their educational and career potential.

The ACT 101 program provides free personalized coaching and mentoring, educational planning, tutoring, career planning and outreach to students facing educational, personal and financial challenges. Students work with a success coach to assess their goals, develop strategies and navigate the college experience.

Angela Ferencin, Student Support Programs Manager, congratulated students for their achievements and encouraged them to continue forward.

“Stay strong,” she said. “When each of you talks to us as student speakers, you’re talking to us as adults also, telling us to keep going, telling us to stay strong. Keep inspiring one another, keep inspiring us and let your light shine. Don’t let anyone diminish your light.”

KEYS Program Graduates: Aileen Brooks, Katelyn Durst, Rebekkah Heintz, Chanel Jones, Kmar Teagle, Gabrielle White and Napree Wilson

POWER Program Graduates: Hope Brouwer-Ancher, Jess Greiss, Tristan Heidt, Kenneth Jefferson, Kameron Kulp, Aaron Miller and LaQuan Williamson

ACT 101 Graduates & Recognition Awards Bryan Aguilar, Nazhe Blackwell, Charnae Bly, Caleb Buckley, Abigayle Burton, Omunic Butler, Simone Carver, Amanda Christy, Ajaylah Copeland, Joshua Darden-Brown, Katelyn Durst, Naoual Fritis, Quimei Gao, Kristyna Goodwin, Noha Hafez, Joel Hernandez, Uzoezi Ifagbuyi, Anna Irrizarry, Ishrat Jahan, Nala Johnson, Jennifer Landis, Antionette Lassiter, Tracey Leggett, Abriana Leiseca, Michael Lerro, Nermin Moustafa, Giselle Muraira, Joseph Mwera, Samantha Nanan, Rita Nayo, Anajua Nole, Ali Noori, Olivia Oescher, Hala Ragab, Dalivette Ramirez Vicenty, Nico Rath, Dalaya Richardson, Niem Robinson, Melody Santiago, Sameh Sharoud, Aruja Sheladia, Tina Soloman-Hussein, Alison Weaver, Napree Wilson and Katherine Wince