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��«Ӱҵ’s Utica Campus will graduate 84 students in a ceremony that begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14.

Addressing their classmates and guests are students Hannah Bonner of Brandon and Jacksonian Joseph Anthony. Both students have perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

Hannah Bonner, who studied fashion design, chose ��«Ӱҵ because of an ACT scholarship and the sign language interpreting program. Bonner says she has enjoyed her time here at ��«Ӱҵ and is grateful for everything the college has done to help her get to this point.

“��«Ӱҵ has been absolutely incredible to my journey, more than I could have ever imagined. I had been home-schooled and came to ��«Ӱҵ five years after I had finished high school. I was unsure how I would do, but I was able to thrive here because of the instructors and small class sizes,” she said.

“The dance program, Honors Institute, and the clothing and fashion design program have changed me for the better, helping me to learn more about myself, reach for my goals, and believe that I would achieve them. I would not be here without them,” she said.

Bonner said some of her best memories from ��«Ӱҵ include studying abroad in Europe with the Honors Institute and performing at the Carnegie Hall in New York with Montage. She plans to use her Fashion Design Degree to create designs for her other passion, dancing.

“I plan on using my clothing and fashion degree to create figure skating and dancewear. I also fix up old formal dresses and rent them out for a low price for those who would not be able to afford to dress up nicely for events such as prom or homecoming,” Bonner said.

Anthony became a ��«Ӱҵ student when he was in the high school dual credit program. He said he really felt at home when he became an on-campus student.

“The teachers have been very patient with me. There were plenty of time I was lost and just asked for help and they were there. I remember during my tour (��«Ӱҵ recruiter) Mr. Donny Epting told me it’s like a family here. I didn’t realize how true that was until I enrolled and started classes down here full time,” Anthony said.

Anthony, who studied mathematics, plans to attend Alcorn University and major in elementary education. He said when he was younger he struggled with math and decided to become a teacher to help other students who may be struggling.

“I found my love for math once I got to eighth grade. I have always wanted to be that teacher that I didn’t have at first growing up. I want to be the starting foundation for someone else before they reach middle school and high school,” he said.

Bonner and Anthony will walk across the stage with their fellow class of 2022 on the Utica campus Saturday, May 14 at 9 a.m. in the J. D. Boyd Gymnasium.

��«Ӱҵ is graduating more than 1,300 students in one of four graduation ceremonies over two days May 11 and 12 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus and a fifth Saturday, May 14 ceremony at J.D. Boyd Gymnasium on the Utica Campus. ��«Ӱҵ is awarding 1,671 certificates and degrees, with some students receiving more than one credential.

Of those graduating, 252 are graduating cum laude with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59; 199 are graduating magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.99, and 209 are graduating summa cum laude with a grade point average of 4.0.