Students involved in the TRiO Student Support Services program at Mid-South Community College received an inspiration and motivational message during the recent Ninth Annual End of the Year Recognition Program.Keynote speaker Dr. Trenia Miles, former MSCC Director of Retention Services and Program Coordinator for College Study and Survival Skills, encouraged students to tap into their internal strength.
“Everything you need to be successful is already in you,” said Dr. Miles, who serves as associate director for the Arkansas Department of Career and Adult Education. “You just have to believe and do the hard work it takes to make it happen. People will put limitations on you if you let them.”
“If you want to change your life, you must change your beliefs. Your beliefs become your thoughts. What we think becomes what we say. If I speak it into existence, good or evil, it will be. If you want to be successful in life, you first have to believe that you can be successful.”
Dr. Miles, the first person in her family to go to college, said her childhood didn’t exactly provide all the essentials of success.
“My dad had an eighth-grade education, and mom had a high school degree,” she said. “I was the second of six children and recall periods of my life when we were very poor. I remember us not having indoor plumbing and cooking on a wood stove. We did most of our school shopping at second-hand stores like Goodwill.”
“To escape the realities of poverty, my siblings and I turned to reading. I was able to develop the desire and motivation to want more in life. We might not have been able to control our environment, but we were able to control our minds and therefor our destinies. We developed strong study habits, and as a result, four of us earned academic scholarships to college.”
Miles said her parents taught their children the importance of hard work. “If we were going to make it, it was going to be up to us.”
“For me, it did not matter that I was poor. I knew that I could have more in life if I just applied myself and made good choices. I did not let my environment limit who I would become. Getting knocked down in life is a given; getting up and moving forward is a choice.
“You have an opportunity to mold yourself into something greater. Don’t sell yourself short and settle for less. You are destined for greatness.”
She encouraged the students to reach their full potential, settle for more, and develop positive habits.
“All of us have a story,” she pointed out. “Does your story hinder you from moving forward beyond your present condition or does it help you by motivating you to become great in life? I use my past as a testimony to where I’ve been and how I have overcome. I hope it will inspire you to do the same.”
Dr. Miles’ presentation reflected the overall program theme, “Our words reveal our thoughts; our manners mirror our self-esteem; our actions reflect our character; our habits predicts the future,” a quote from inspirational author William Arthur Ward.
“You cannot allow your environment to dictate your success; the choice is yours,” she said. “Dr. Miles gave us some very valuable points that each of us can take with us and remember. We have what we need inside to overcome any challenge that comes forward.”
MSCC Executive Vice President Dr. Barbara Baxter provided the program welcome and praised students who are candidates for degrees and certificates.
“I am so very proud of you,” she said. “This is really an accomplishment. I think sometimes we forget that the vast majority of the people in this country do not have college degrees, and what an edge you have because you do. All I can say is don’t stop now.”
Hogan noted that 53 students involved in TRiO SSS will be graduating on May 9, a record number for the program. In 2012, 41 TRiO SSS students graduated, which was the record until this year. All of the students completing degrees and certificates received special recognition at the luncheon.
Candidates for graduation include Golda Meir Abram, Melissa LaShawn Baker, Sequoia Sade Barber, Alielean Brown, Sabrina L. Bullins, Manythia Tayana Caldwell, Morgan E. Capps, Robert Michael Carlo, Erica Rashae Chance, Courtney Camile Collins, Angela Cryer, Amy Denise Davis, Dwan Catrice Davis, Naomi Davis, Danialah Nicole Dematti, Sandra Ealy, Kimberly Nichole Echols, Mahogany Rashad Farmer, Amanda Lynn Fesperman, Melissa Renee Flesher, Jasmine La Rose Greer, Linda Levitt Gregory, Samantha Marie Griffin, Tonya Hall, Toya Loretta Hall, James Earl Huff, Ashley Nicole Jones, Chasterdee D. Jones, Shannon Kathleen Jordan, Destiny Denise Knighten, Xiaowei Lin, Jennifer Teres Lucas, Tammie Marie Martin, Shelby Brooke McGriff, Veranda Abrie'l Miller, Andrielle Shanice Mosley, James Arthur Mosley, Patty Sue Natereli, Keanna Lysha Tunson, Shawntella Theresa Vanderhall, Melanie Joyce Walker, Regina Lynn Padilla, Melanie Andrea Perkins, Shironda Marie Rodgers, Pamela Denise Sanders, Rakim A. Smith, Charmaine Taylor, Devin Taylor, Lois Taylor, Tranieka C. Washington, Curtis Lee White, Felishia Ann Williams, and Jessica Lashaun Wilson.
During the program, students Melena Laster sang, James Huff read a poem, and Chloe Hoppe introduced the speaker. MSCC Career Coach Cynthia Quarrels also performed a song.
For more information about student services and/or educational opportunities at the College, please call (870) 733-6728 or visit the campus at 2000 West Broadway in West Memphis. General information about MSCC can also be found at www.midsouthcc.edu.
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