Snead State Community College Hosts Special Commencement Ceremony for Student-Athletes

They work hard in and out of the classroom. They exemplify discipline and sportsmanship. They support their team on weekends and holidays. When they sign up to be a Parson, they commit to a high level of excellence.

The Snead State Community College student-athletes saw the results of their dedication and commitment during a special Commencement Ceremony held Tuesday, May 6, at Plunkett-Wallace Gymnasium.

Representing the baseball, cheer, women's basketball, men's basketball, men's golf, softball, tennis, and volleyball teams, the 50 graduates crossed the stage to receive their Associate in Science degrees.

Snead State Community College President Dr. Joe Whitmore addressed the student-athletes and guests during the ceremony.

"To be a student-athlete is to live a life of balance, commitment, and sacrifice. You've risen early for practice, stayed up late to study for exams, pushed through injury, and persevered through pressure. Through it all, you've learned something that reaches far beyond the field or court – how to endure, how to overcome, and how to trust God with every part of your journey.

"You're stepping into a world that desperately needs leaders of character, resilience, and compassion. The values have shaped you on the field – teamwork, perseverance, humility, and sacrifice – are the same values that will shape you into leaders in business, education, ministry, medicine, and beyond. Never underestimate the power of a life lived with excellence and integrity," said Dr. Whitmore.

The special Commencement Ceremony for the athletes was first held a few years ago to recognize those on the College's spring sports teams who were unable to attend the formal Commencement ceremony because they were playing in tournaments. This year, graduating athletes from all athletic programs were recognized.

Dr. Whitmore chose the special occasion to remind the students of how their role of athletes will relate to their role as graduates.

"Your identity is not rooted in your wins or your stats or your accomplishments, because those are temporary. Your identity is rooted in Christ. Life beyond college doesn't always come with clear goals or a scoreboard. But remember: God doesn't just prepare you for the spotlight. He prepares you for the struggle. And the same God who carried you through the early mornings, tough losses, and long seasons, will go before you in whatever comes next."

The Class of 2025 student-athlete graduates includes:

Baseball
• Connor Aderholt of Shelby, Associate in Science in General Education
• Tucker Gregory Cagle of Cullman, Associate in Science in Exercise Science
• Joseph "JoJo" Nieto Garrison of Hartselle, Associate in Science in General Education
• Nathan "Nate" Ezekiel Scott Guyse of Madison, Associate in Science in General Education
• Maxwell Edward Hanson of Piedmont, Associate in Science in General Education
• Aaron "Jack" Jackson Hayes of Piedmont, Associate in Science in Business
• William Davis Kilpatrick of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education
• Kurt William Kizer of Trussville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Blake Alexander Moon of Guntersville, Associate in Science in Math Education
• Jackson Wade Ollis of Trussville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Bryn Evan Peacock of Columbus, Ga., Associate in Science in Exercise Science
• Benjamin Nicholas Pearman of Alabaster, Associate in Science in General Education
• Tyler Wyatt Sanderson of Huntsville, Associate in Science in Business
• Tyler Douglas Waley of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education
• Cade Rylan Whorton of Boaz, Associate in Science in Aerospace Engineering

Cheer
• Bailee Kay Battles of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Molly Grace Bayne of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education
• Rebecca Chaffin of Douglas, Associate in Science in English/Language Arts Education
• Aubrie Cornelius of Geraldine, Associate in Science in General Education
• Jayden Ledbetter of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education
• Lexie Ann Lee of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Kathryn Elizabeth Norton of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education

Women's Basketball
• Jaleigh DeVine of Attalla, Associate in Science in Exercise Science
• Emma Garcia of Fairview, Associate in Science in Political Science
• Kaitlyn Hill of Susan Moore, Associate in Science in General Education
• La'Mya Shantayisa Selina McGrue of Oxford, Associate in Science in Computer Science
• Paris Nichole Morgan of Ripley, Miss., Associate in Science in Biology

Men's Basketball
• Jordyn Tymir Turner-Durley of Florence, Associate in Science in General Education
• Josiah Harding of Riverview, Fla., Associate in Science in Pre-Nursing
• Kendarius Lamar Irvin of Pleasant Grove, Associate in Science in General Education

Men's Golf
• Carson Andrew Jones of Boaz, Associate in Science in Exercise Science
• Kane Henderson Standridge of Moulton, Associate in Science in Mechanical Engineering

Softball
• Campbell Adams of Ragland, Associate in Science in General Education
• Sarah Anne Bowling of Hartselle, Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education
• Alexis "Lexi" Taylor Brewer of Henagar, Associate in Science in General Education
• Allie Elizabeth Graydon of Helena, Associate in Science in General Education
• Ella Grace Hood of Collinsville, Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education
• Jayda Michelle Lacks of Boaz, Associate in Science in General Education
• Sophie Ellen Latta of Oneonta, Associate in Science in General Education
• Leigha Kaylan Martin of Oneonta, Associate in Science in General Education
• Victoria Elizabeth Mauterer of Helena, Associate in Science in Social Studies Education
• Armoni Sharay Perry of Piedmont, Associate in Science in General Education
• Leah Madalyn Swafford of Cropwell, Associate in Science in Family and Consumer Sciences

Tennis
• Mary Elizabeth Adams of Albertville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Lauren Alea Chaffin of Douglas, Associate in Science in Elementary Education

Volleyball
• Alena Lanea Godwin of Harvest, Associate in Science in General Education
• Cadence Liles of Rainsville, Associate in Science in General Education
• Gracie Rena Manley of Addison, Associate in Science in Industrial Engineering
• Chloe Lizabeth Stephens of Sand Rock, Associate in Science in Special Education
• Jacey Kendal Stephens of Sand Rock, Associate in Science in Elementary Education