Three students of the graduating class of 2022 will join the faculty and staff in leading commencement ceremonies to be held Friday, May 13 in the Joseph P. Johnson, Jr., Grand Hall of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on the VHCC campus.
Nearly 500 graduates will be honored for earning an unprecedented 780 certificates, diplomas and degrees. “We have so much to celebrate this year,” VHCC President Dr. Adam Hutchison said. ”Not only will we be physically together for commencement for the first time in two years, but we’ve had to add a third ceremony for the first time in our history because we have so many graduates to honor.”
Three outstanding students – Maddie Moore, Christian Gonzalez, and Amy Greer – will challenge this year’s record-breaking graduating class at ceremonies to take place at 2:30, 5:30, and 7:30 PM.
“These students were selected by faculty members for their exemplary leadership and representation of the values that define Virginia Highlands Community College,” VHCC Vice President of Instruction and Student Services said. The three students were nominated by faculty based on the demonstration of “outstanding scholarship and a strong academic work ethic” and a “strong potential for future achievement.”
The 2:30 p.m. ceremony will honor college transfer graduates. Also honored at this ceremony will be approximately 70 area high school students who have been designated as Governor’s Scholars for earning college credentials through the Dual Enrollment Program. This group includes students who will be awarded a Certificate in General Education, which is equivalent to the first year of a four-year degree.
The 5:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates earning credentials in the professional & technical studies areas. And, the 7:30 ceremony will celebrate the accomplishments of students graduating in nursing and allied health.
“We are extremely proud to celebrate the hard work and achievements of all VHCC students,” said Hutchison. ”In particular, we recognize the special contributions of our three student speakers, who so clearly exemplify the talents and work ethic needed for the next generation of leaders in the communities we serve.”
Maddie Moore – Associates of Arts and Science in Education
A deep love of the outdoors and living things has served as the foundation for Maddie Moore’s passion for agriculture. A native of Meadowview and a 2020 graduate of Holston High School, Moore began her formal involvement in the agricultural community in middle school, and culminated with recently serving as the State Vice President for Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA).
“I traveled all over the state to teach middle and high school students about leadership, career and technical opportunities, agriculture, and FFA,” Moore said.
Moore enjoys volunteering, serving at her church, drawing and painting, and working several part-time jobs including one in child care. Moore plans to transfer to Virginia Tech to pursue an advanced degree in agriculture sciences to pursue a career as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Moore says she hopes this will allow her to “help connect individuals with the importance of food and where it comes from, and how central agriculture is to life.”
Moore’s advice and encouragement to fellow graduates is: “Your education is one of the most important things in your life…so you choose the route you want to go, the time you need for the journey, and the people you travel it alongside.”
Christian Gonzalez – Associates of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and Energy Technology
Education and opportunity has always been a priority of Christian Gonzalez of Saltville. While attending Northwood High School, he secured enough college credits to earn both a high school diploma and his first college degree from Virginia Highlands upon graduation from Northwood in 2019. Gonzalez was raised in a culturally rich household – a blend of American and Mexican influences – and credits his background for his development and advancement in both education and personal values.
“I attend church regularly and try to help my church family to the best of my abilities,” Gonzalez said of his commitment to serving his family and community.
When not on campus, Gonzalez may be found enjoying some of his favorite hobbies including baseball and slow-pitch softball, cycling, fishing, side-by-side riding, and trying new foods. An entrepreneur at heart, Gonzalez enjoys mowing and landscaping through his growing lawn care business, and plans to pursue his journeyman license this summer to expand his business offerings.
Gonzalez’s message for his fellow 2022 graduates is: “Never give up, always ask questions, don’t be afraid of failing, and always take advantage of opportunities because you may never get them again.”
Amy Greer – Associates of Applied Science in Nursing
Amy Greer of Glade Spring is dedicated to the nursing profession that she will join upon graduation from Virginia Highlands. Greer is a 2005 graduate of Chilhowie High School and a passionate advocate for cancer awareness, research, and patient care through her service with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life program.
In 2015, however, Greer’s advocacy gained a personal motivation when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven. The Greer family spent many months at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee where her daughter received treatment.
“She was cared for by the highest caliber of health care providers, and is the drive behind my desire to make even the smallest difference in the lives of the patients I will soon serve,” Greer said.
As Greer looks forward to graduation from nursing school, she joyfully recounts that her daughter is now a healthy teenager. Greer plans to continue her education, with a long-term goal of becoming a family nurse practitioner.
As words of reflection for the class of 2022, Greer says: “Our first impressions have evolved into lasting memories, strangers have become family, and we are in a unique situation to be trail blazers for the future.”
