John Wood Community College's 49th annual commencement ceremony was held May 17 in the Student Activity Center. | Photo courtesy of John Wood Community College
QUINCY — John Wood Community College held its 49th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at 6 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on the Quincy ampus at 48th and Harrison.
JWCC conferred 322 associate degrees, 201 certificates and six College for Life certificates. Bryan Renfro, JWCC president, conferred degrees and certificates. Bob Rhea, chair of the JWCC Board of Trustees, accepted candidates as graduates.
As part of the college’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, James A. Rapp received JWCC’s first honorary degree. The degree was conferred in recognition of his longstanding service as JWCC’s legal counsel and his commitment to education and the mission of community colleges.
Grace Meyer of Quincy delivered the invocation. She was a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, Theatre Guild, JWCC cheer team and the Student Government Association. She is active in the Quincy community through Girl Scouts, St. Francis Catholic Church and the Quincy Humane Society. Meyer earned a College for Life certificate and plans to work in a local veterinary clinic.
Luka Bagi of Bedford, England, Kaydence Gregory of Bluffs and Alisha Skwara of Quincy delivered the student address.
Bagi was a member of the men’s soccer team, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Student Government Association. He was a student worker with JWCC’s maintenance and grounds team and also served as JWCC’s mascot, Woody the Trail Blazer. He earned an associate in arts degree with high honors and will transfer to Knox College to study international business and continue his soccer career.
Gregory was a 2022-24 Trail Blazer scholar, served as JWCC’s Student Trustee for the 2022-23 academic year and was a member of Student Government Association and TRiO. She also served as a student worker for JWCC’s Student Life Office. She earned an associate in arts degree and will transfer to Western Illinois University to major in communication with a minor in event planning and management.
Swkara was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and an ambassador for the JWCC nursing program. She earned an associate in applied science degree in nursing with high honors in December 2023. She is working as a nurse focused on dementia and hospice care.
Avery Hayes of Palmyra, Mo., and Brooks Sonethongkham of Quincy delivered closing remarks.
Hayes was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and earned an automation and robotics technician certificate in December 2022. He continued his education and earned an engineering design-SolidWorks certificate and an associate in applied science degree in manufacturing technology in December 2023.
Sonethongkham participated in JWCC’s Smart Start Concurrent Enrollment program and earned his high school diploma from Quincy High School and an associate in science degree with high honors. He is an avid chess player at the Quincy Chess Club, St. Louis Chess Club and QHS Chess Club, which he founded. Sonethongkham will transfer to the University of Missouri to study computer science.
Steven Soebbing, JWCC chair and associate professor, fine arts, humanities and education, played processional and recessional selections and led the JWCC choir in performing the National Anthem.
JWCC Graduates
Cameron Z. Lawrence | Alexandria | MO |
Laila M. Beck | Arenzville | IL |
Dennis Ratcliff | Astoria | IL |
BrilynLantz | Augusta | IL |
RustyThurman | Augusta | IL |
FaithStille | Barry | IL |
Shayna Leigh Loutzenhiser | Barry | IL |
RubyFesler | Barry | IL |
Abigail G. Fesler | Barry | IL |
Mason McTucker | Barry | IL |
RebeccaWalston | Barry | IL |
JonathanGrammer | Barry | IL |
RyattJackson | Barry | IL |
KylerTobias | Barry | IL |
SamuelWalch | Barry | IL |
Amy Keeling | Baylis | IL |
Jewel Alizabeth McEvers | Baylis | IL |
Tricia Knous | Beardstown | IL |
Brandon Dobrovolny | Beardstown | IL |
Aspen Nichole Mueller | Bluffs | IL |
MaeleighAlexander | Bluffs | IL |
RemingtonBolton | Bowen | IL |
Kyle O’Neal | Bowen | IL |
ClaytonBollin | Bowen | IL |
James DeCamp | Bowen | IL |
Elizabeth Van Hove | Bowen | IL |
TiffanySmith | Browning | IL |
MaxDittmer | Burnside | IL |
Madelyn Hamilton | Camp Point | IL |
Hayleigh Marlow | Camp Point | IL |
Paige Marlow | Camp Point | IL |
Nicole Olps | Camp Point | IL |
Nicole Suann Utterback | Camp Point | IL |
Daxton R. Wiskirchen | Camp Point | IL |
GaryFifer | Camp Point | IL |
Cydnee Gayle Houston | Camp Point | IL |
Chloe Diane Turner | Camp Point | IL |
Cheyenne McQueen | Camp Point | IL |
Sumer Lois Myers | Canton | MO |
Faith E. J. Rudd | Canton | MO |
Monica N. G. Henke | Canton | MO |
Aubrey Lyn Marie Bliss | Canton | MO |
Jessica Arlis White | Carthage | IL |
DanielWelker | Carthage | IL |
KatelynnBush | Carthage | IL |
Kimberley S. Enzeroth | Carthage | IL |
EthanSchlotterbeck | Carthage | IL |
AidenMoore | Carthage | IL |
TylerYager | Carthage | IL |
Baileigh M. Brann | Chambersburg | IL |
Jessica Manker | Chambersburg | IL |
Jalyn Frevert | Chambersburg | IL |
Peyton Brianne Mast | Clayton | IL |
Taylor B. Kill | Clayton | IL |
Brianna Graham | Coatsburg | IL |
AlexiaJohnson | Coatsburg | IL |
Hunter Kurk | Coatsburg | IL |
Jamie Michael Hawkins | Cobden | IL |
Samantha Maria Biswell | Colchester | IL |
Jennifer L. Heap | Colorado Springs | CO |
Matthew Privia | Concord | IL |
Brian A. Hartmann | Dunlap | IL |
Tyler Farrell | East Peoria | IL |
Jonathan Boyer | Ewing | MO |
Jadin Cheryl Downs | Fowler | IL |
Luke Girardin | Fowler | IL |
Sarah Ann Xiao Fang Shumake | Fowler | IL |
Carter Allen Holt | Fowler | IL |
MeganFessler | Fowler | IL |
Katherine Ludlum | Fowler | IL |
Kaylee Grawe | Fowler | IL |
LakenSmith | Fowler | IL |
Kourtney K. Austin | Frankford | MO |
Brandon Rossmiller | Golden | IL |
Tanner Leedy | Griggsville | IL |
KaylaMcCallister | Griggsville | IL |
Cash Kirk | Griggsville | IL |
NoahStille | Griggsville | IL |
RachelBarnes | Hamilton | IL |
Joseph Sullivan | Hamilton | IL |
AbigailBeck | Hannibal | MO |
Lindsay Noel Mohler | Hannibal | MO |
Laura Dawn Hoots | Hannibal | MO |
MitchealHarbison | Hannibal | MO |
AliciaCarlson | Hannibal | MO |
MarisaRiccitelli | Hannibal | MO |
TracyKetsenburg | Hannibal | MO |
Tung Nguyen | Hannibal | MO |
Shyre Abbey | Hannibal | MO |
Matthew Wealer | Hannibal | MO |
CarmenSmith | Hannibal | MO |
Jacob Michael Tallman | Hannibal | MO |
KoleenaVanSickel | Hannibal | MO |
Mikhaela McCune | Hull | IL |
Boston Hall | Hull | IL |
Matthew Martin | Hull | IL |
TaylorCassady | Janesville | WI |
ConnerMack | Kahoka | MO |
Drayson A. Daniels | Kahoka | MO |
Aerith Moreau | Kampsville | IL |
Melissa Juliet Dolter | Keokuk | IA |
Kyle James Bumphrey | Kewanee | IL |
Jedd Abney | Kinderhook | IL |
LukeWeir | Kinderhook | IL |
ThomasDavis | Kirkwood | IL |
Jordan Mackenzie Moore | Knoxville | IL |
Dodge Dare | La Belle | MO |
KaleighBurbridge | La Grange | MO |
Libby Ann Ippensen | La Prairie | IL |
Paige R. Brumbaugh | Lewistown | MO |
Ciera Clevenger | Liberty | IL |
John Isaac Frey | Liberty | IL |
KylaFrizzell | Liberty | IL |
KaiGower | Liberty | IL |
BreitonKlingele | Liberty | IL |
LoganRobbins | Liberty | IL |
Jackson Tenhouse | Liberty | IL |
Shelly Zengel | Liberty | IL |
Robert Clayton Obert | Liberty | IL |
Ava Blankenship | Liberty | IL |
Katlyn M. Zanger | Liberty | IL |
Reese Thomas Knuffman | Liberty | IL |
JadeBlair | Liberty | IL |
WilliamSchoonover | Liberty | IL |
Joseph Jacobs | Liberty | IL |
LucasObert | Liberty | IL |
Jared R. Predmore | Liberty | IL |
Nicole Gravitt | Liberty | IL |
CameronPaszkiet | Liberty | IL |
ChristianPaszkiet | Liberty | IL |
Lakoda S. J. White | Liberty | IL |
Seth Bruenger | Loraine | IL |
Kassondra Blanchett | Loraine | IL |
JorieWhitaker | Loraine | IL |
Athenea Cruz Medina | Louisiana | MO |
Delbert Wells Jr. | Maquon | IL |
PatrickMcLain | Maywood | MO |
Holli M. Fuhrman | Mendon | IL |
Zackary Nevins | Mendon | IL |
AprilShaffer | Mendon | IL |
Natalie Kindle | Mendon | IL |
MadisonGregory | Meredosia | IL |
Emily Whitlock | Milton | IL |
KellyStark | Monroe City | MO |
FabianWalls | Monroe City | MO |
James C. Hager | Monroe City | MO |
AdamMellen | Morton | IL |
Erin R. Barfield | Mt Sterling | IL |
Melissa Jane DeWitt | Mt Sterling | IL |
Robert William Groesch | Mt Sterling | IL |
Ethan Howell | Mt Sterling | IL |
Jacob Laning | Mt Sterling | IL |
Cortni Law | Mt Sterling | IL |
Kaitlyn Brooke Leenerts | Mt Sterling | IL |
Nicole Taylor | Mt Sterling | IL |
JoycelynWelty | Mt Sterling | IL |
Marcus J. Perry | Mt Sterling | IL |
Heidi Marie Miller | Mt Sterling | IL |
KristaTaylor | Mt Sterling | IL |
AydanKoontz | Mt Sterling | IL |
AshleyFearneyhough | Naples | IL |
Addy Michelle Ruble | Nebo | IL |
Breann M. Ruble | Nebo | IL |
Sumer I. Warner | Nebo | IL |
Richard T. Bates | New London | MO |
Philip Jude Plumb | New London | MO |
Alexis Marie Damron | New London | MO |
Baylee Marie Zeiger | New London | MO |
Sadie Stine | New London | MO |
TaraPoor | Palmyra | MO |
McKenna Abbott | Palmyra | MO |
Luke D. Triplett | Palmyra | MO |
AveryHayes | Palmyra | MO |
Abigail Rose Benning | Palmyra | MO |
JaimeTodd | Palmyra | MO |
Victoria Elaine Benjamin | Payson | IL |
JairynHinthorne | Payson | IL |
Zyanne Mast | Payson | IL |
Kaylee Smith | Payson | IL |
Carley Jean Epperson | Payson | IL |
Kyler Smith | Payson | IL |
AmyHughes | Payson | IL |
CurtisCrim | Payson | IL |
EvanRobinson | Pearl | IL |
Alexander Brody Faulkner | Peoria | IL |
Faith Grace Baker | Pittsfield | IL |
Susan Michele Barnes | Pittsfield | IL |
KarleyBogatzke | Pittsfield | IL |
Wessley Joel Davis | Pittsfield | IL |
JacksonFish | Pittsfield | IL |
BreannaFox | Pittsfield | IL |
Kristi A. Graves | Pittsfield | IL |
Jordan Lamb | Pittsfield | IL |
Bryson Matthew Thometz | Pittsfield | IL |
NicoleCooley | Pittsfield | IL |
Mason Pherigo | Pittsfield | IL |
Morgan R. Deeder | Pittsfield | IL |
Colten Birkbeck | Pittsfield | IL |
Sierra Dawn Grimsley | Pittsfield | IL |
Dana M. Fry | Pittsfield | IL |
JacquelineBaldwin | Pittsfield | IL |
Leif E. Carter | Pittsfield | IL |
KimberMeyer | Pittsfield | IL |
Savannah Nash | Pittsfield | IL |
EthanHuber | Plainville | IL |
Christian J. Klingele | Plainville | IL |
Malina Marie Sunde | Plainville | IL |
Jenna Marie Ngulitel Edwards | Plainville | IL |
Bradley Epley | Plainville | IL |
AshleyMoore | Pleasant Hill | IL |
MarisaAhern | Quincy | IL |
TraytonAnders | Quincy | IL |
LukaBagi | Quincy | IL |
Carson L. Bartlow | Quincy | IL |
Adrian Blattner | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Bockenfeld | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Nicole Butler | Quincy | IL |
HenryCann | Quincy | IL |
KaitlynCoons | Quincy | IL |
Emily Jeanné Cornett | Quincy | IL |
Makenzie Kayann Davis | Quincy | IL |
Kaleb Austin Dieterle | Quincy | IL |
BraylonDiggs | Quincy | IL |
Coulter Fry | Quincy | IL |
Kennedy L. Frye | Quincy | IL |
Blaise Michael Genenbacher | Quincy | IL |
TimothyGoehl | Quincy | IL |
NatalieGoerlich | Quincy | IL |
KatelynGreening | Quincy | IL |
KaydenceGregory | Quincy | IL |
Brianna Rose Hale | Quincy | IL |
CharlesHall | Quincy | IL |
Michael Hall | Quincy | IL |
Gabrielle Julia Harms | Quincy | IL |
Caroline Haxel | Quincy | IL |
EllieHayden | Quincy | IL |
Rylee Ann Hendricks | Quincy | IL |
Hannah Hightower | Quincy | IL |
Samantha Hinds | Quincy | IL |
ReaganHinkamper | Quincy | IL |
CaygeHughes | Quincy | IL |
BryceJanssen | Quincy | IL |
BenKasparie | Quincy | IL |
Bailee Marie Kelty | Quincy | IL |
Jillian Kirkpatrick | Quincy | IL |
RachaelLangworthy | Quincy | IL |
Hayden E. Lankey | Quincy | IL |
Shane LeClair | Quincy | IL |
Corbin Lee | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Leerhoff | Quincy | IL |
Alex Loman | Quincy | IL |
Amanda Leanne Lubbert | Quincy | IL |
KaylaMaguire | Quincy | IL |
Payton Mansfield | Quincy | IL |
Kennedy Mellon | Quincy | IL |
Jocelyn Meyers | Quincy | IL |
CarsonMoreno | Quincy | IL |
Laura Morgason-Oller | Quincy | IL |
Alexander Morningstar | Quincy | IL |
EmmaNye | Quincy | IL |
GracePeters | Quincy | IL |
MackenziePeters | Quincy | IL |
Alexis Christine Pohlman | Quincy | IL |
Savannah Catherine Real | Quincy | IL |
Abbey M. Rhodes | Quincy | IL |
Jayden A. Rice | Quincy | IL |
JacksonRichmiller | Quincy | IL |
Jessica Carol Robbins | Quincy | IL |
Bradyn Robertson | Quincy | IL |
Nicole Rokusek | Quincy | IL |
Logan Schlueter | Quincy | IL |
Connor Schwindeler | Quincy | IL |
Jose David Serrada Pena | Quincy | IL |
Taelor Lynn Sheets | Quincy | IL |
Natalya C. Sorensen | Quincy | IL |
EthanSparrow | Quincy | IL |
AndrewSrebroski IV | Quincy | IL |
AdenStapleton | Quincy | IL |
AbigailStegeman | Quincy | IL |
Andrew Steinkoenig | Quincy | IL |
Joshua Stevens | Quincy | IL |
AndreaStupavsky | Quincy | IL |
JoshuaTalton | Quincy | IL |
Josiah Talton | Quincy | IL |
Emme R. Tournear | Quincy | IL |
Deedria Waldrop | Quincy | IL |
AmayaWebb | Quincy | IL |
AaronWeber | Quincy | IL |
Mason Joseph Wells | Quincy | IL |
KeyounaWest | Quincy | IL |
Barrett M. Whitfield | Quincy | IL |
AlexcisWittler | Quincy | IL |
Luke Gabriel Wittler | Quincy | IL |
EthanWoods | Quincy | IL |
Camila Zbynski | Quincy | IL |
Gabbriella R. Kearns | Quincy | IL |
Clancy Katherine Crawford | Quincy | IL |
Garrett Max Meyer | Quincy | IL |
John Albert Anderson | Quincy | IL |
Adonya S. Archibald | Quincy | IL |
David Eduardo Castro Larrache | Quincy | IL |
Elizabeth JoAnn Chandler | Quincy | IL |
AubreyDallmier | Quincy | IL |
Mackenzie Grace Davison | Quincy | IL |
Mykaela Elliott | Quincy | IL |
Ava Jaclyn Marie Fischer | Quincy | IL |
Addie Belle Force | Quincy | IL |
Sara Lynn Garland | Quincy | IL |
MichaeliaGoodwin | Quincy | IL |
AveryGrawe | Quincy | IL |
CameronHolford | Quincy | IL |
Mason Horman | Quincy | IL |
Spencer R. Jenkins | Quincy | IL |
AshleyJuette | Quincy | IL |
KierenLeMaster | Quincy | IL |
Krista Michele Rittenhouse | Quincy | IL |
AndrewRudd | Quincy | IL |
Eden Olivia Scheuermann | Quincy | IL |
ClaireSly | Quincy | IL |
Brooks Rodhoum Sonethongkham | Quincy | IL |
KeilaStapleton | Quincy | IL |
GraysonTedrow | Quincy | IL |
Landon Parker Wallace | Quincy | IL |
LucasWiegand | Quincy | IL |
Cheyenne Elaine Wiley | Quincy | IL |
ReeseWilliams | Quincy | IL |
ThomasYouden | Quincy | IL |
Megan Dora-Ann McDowell | Quincy | IL |
Isabella Douglas | Quincy | IL |
Morgan Black | Quincy | IL |
MorganPettyjohn | Quincy | IL |
Quinton Parker Hankins | Quincy | IL |
Nathaniel R. Pabisiak | Quincy | IL |
Benet Eversden-Duesterhaus | Quincy | IL |
Aaron D. Wittler | Quincy | IL |
Ty Ryan Routh | Quincy | IL |
Connor Matthew Brown | Quincy | IL |
Thomas W. Muse | Quincy | IL |
JesusRamirez | Quincy | IL |
BelindaAbbey | Quincy | IL |
Marlee Jane Asher | Quincy | IL |
Gesi Danell Baker | Quincy | IL |
HaylieDanker | Quincy | IL |
JuliannaEden | Quincy | IL |
Audrey Caitlyn Evans | Quincy | IL |
Erika Fee | Quincy | IL |
Jamie Renee Ferguson | Quincy | IL |
Morgan Christine Goehl | Quincy | IL |
Tawnya Haws | Quincy | IL |
NickKelley | Quincy | IL |
AveryKriegermeier | Quincy | IL |
Kaitlyn Marie LaTour | Quincy | IL |
LaceyLewis | Quincy | IL |
Aideen Orr | Quincy | IL |
Alaina K. Pylican | Quincy | IL |
Lexi Nicole Schaffer | Quincy | IL |
Alisha Skwara | Quincy | IL |
ErikaWhittaker | Quincy | IL |
Kobe Williams | Quincy | IL |
Sarah Mason | Quincy | IL |
Heather A. Frankel | Quincy | IL |
Haley Catherine Grenell | Quincy | IL |
Ashley Marie Schmidt | Quincy | IL |
Payton Renee Baker | Quincy | IL |
MarandaMize | Quincy | IL |
JustyceStephenson | Quincy | IL |
Jack Deno Crickard | Quincy | IL |
Mathew James Juette | Quincy | IL |
Grace Bernadette Marie Meyer | Quincy | IL |
LakenAidich | Quincy | IL |
Gabriela G. Escamilla | Quincy | IL |
BobbiCrystina Monzo | Quincy | IL |
AlexisRoberts | Quincy | IL |
Debbi Sloup | Quincy | IL |
Pi-TumbasaPuli | Quincy | IL |
WendyWhite | Quincy | IL |
Allison Barthel | Quincy | IL |
JacquelineBuckner | Quincy | IL |
AlyssiaComley | Quincy | IL |
SonyaTurner | Quincy | IL |
DustinSchroeder | Quincy | IL |
BrendenBlattner | Quincy | IL |
Jaden Nicole Crawford | Quincy | IL |
SethHaugh | Quincy | IL |
Alex Logan | Quincy | IL |
Alan Pacheco | Quincy | IL |
Jack Pales | Quincy | IL |
MaxParrino | Quincy | IL |
BradenSheffield | Quincy | IL |
Shane Stotts | Quincy | IL |
Austin Durst | Quincy | IL |
Ryan Wand | Quincy | IL |
JacobThomas | Quincy | IL |
Jakob Griggs | Quincy | IL |
DevonMcBride | Quincy | IL |
Brendan Wand | Quincy | IL |
HunterLeindecker | Quincy | IL |
William Jo Norton | Quincy | IL |
JadenMcPherson | Quincy | IL |
AngelDenton | Quincy | IL |
TaylorHiland | Quincy | IL |
IndiaJohnson | Quincy | IL |
BrittanySmith | Quincy | IL |
JodiWinfield | Quincy | IL |
AmyWright | Quincy | IL |
Kaitlin Griffin | Quincy | IL |
JusticeTaylor | Quincy | IL |
BlakeWagy | Quincy | IL |
Jordan Borovay | Quincy | IL |
Tiesha Burk | Quincy | IL |
Amy D. Burton | Quincy | IL |
Joshua J. Clay-Culver | Quincy | IL |
Christina Feltman | Quincy | IL |
Racaia Finley | Quincy | IL |
Tierra LeDonne Gallaher | Quincy | IL |
Amber Hoener | Quincy | IL |
Alexandria Keck | Quincy | IL |
Samantha Lambert | Quincy | IL |
Timothy C. Legemet | Quincy | IL |
Milagros LorraineMendoza | Quincy | IL |
JordanMeyer | Quincy | IL |
VenessaRankin | Quincy | IL |
Alaina N. Shoopman | Quincy | IL |
AmandaSill | Quincy | IL |
MattieTjaden | Quincy | IL |
Kristin Wagner | Quincy | IL |
Alyssa Ann Weech | Quincy | IL |
NathanHall | Quincy | IL |
Bryce T. Genenbacher | Quincy | IL |
Cooper Lee | Quincy | IL |
Wilbert Maas | Quincy | IL |
JustenNash | Quincy | IL |
WendyMiracle | Quincy | IL |
Freedom Journey | Riverton | IL |
Zoey Marie Myers | Rockport | IL |
KaciRiddle | Rockport | IL |
ColtonSexton | Roodhouse | IL |
Heather Lyons | Rushville | IL |
Jena N. Smith | Rushville | IL |
TylerTrone | Rushville | IL |
Rachel Hackworth | Rushville | IL |
Tracey Heatherly | Summer Hill | IL |
Lisa Weeks | Sutter | IL |
Justice Spencer | Table Grove | IL |
Drake Houser | Timewell | IL |
KristenGrenlund | Timewell | IL |
Joshua Ehrich Humke | Ursa | IL |
Taylor M. Payne | Ursa | IL |
Madalynn Morrison | Ursa | IL |
AmberCasley | Ursa | IL |
VanessaWalker | Ursa | IL |
Kaci Elizabeth McKeon | Versailles | IL |
Brisyn Analeigh Hohenbery | Versailles | IL |
Shaun Manning | Washington | IL |
RileyBozarth | West Point | IL |
Ramsey Fry | West Point | IL |
Kelton James Rice | West Point | IL |
Kaylene Dale Brunenn | West Point | IL |
Preston J. Hubbard | West Point | IL |
Lindsay Rivera | Winchester | IL |