Bryan Hayes knows the value of perseverance. After leaving high school in the ninth grade, he faced many of the challenges common to adult learners—work responsibilities, family commitments, and life circumstances that made returning to school difficult. But despite the obstacles, Bryan never gave up on his goal of completing his education. That determination led […]
When Bryanna Veliz signed up for Cleveland Community College’s Careers Electric Summer Electrical Academy, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. She knew she wanted to challenge herself and explore a possible career path. Just a few weeks later, she’s found something much bigger: confidence, purpose and a clear vision for her future. The rising […]
Lillianna Scott’s Career and College Promise Experience Lillianna Scott is an intelligent, poised and well-spoken young woman whose college journey began as a high school student. Encouraged by friends who spoke highly of the Career and College Promise (CCP) program, Lillianna saw an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “I wanted to further my education for […]
By Briley Mellon, Marketing Intern Brandy Licona-Tello is a senior at Cleveland Early College High School, where she’s working toward receiving her high school diploma, Associate in Arts, and Criminal Justice Certificate simultaneously. She has dreamed of helping others since she was little and has done her due diligence in community service and anything law […]
Kayla Williamson, a senior at Kings Mountain High School and a Career and College Promise (CCP) student at Cleveland Community College, stays busy, like most high school seniors. However, Kayla’s version of busy is a little different than most. Whether she’s preparing for a future in healthcare, styling clients’ hair, or cheering her team to […]
Cleveland Community College student Chad Pinyan started down the path into cybersecurity with a simple goal: to help people. After spending more than a decade at home caring for his disabled mother and raising his daughter, Chad decided it was time to pursue a new career. Once his daughter went off to college, he was […]
Written by Briley Mellon, ECHS Senior and CCC Marketing Intern When Faith Houser graduated from CCC in 2020, she had no idea she would be back five years later, serving as SGA (Student Government Association) president once again. Back then, Faith earned her Associate in Arts and Associate in General Education degrees. This year, she […]
Returning to school as an adult wasn’t easy, but it changed everything. After more than a decade away from school, Miranda Parks made the life-changing decision to earn her GED. What pushed her forward wasn’t just the dream of a better future; it was her son. She wanted to show him, by example, that it’s […]
Overcoming Life’s Challenges to Finish High School Makenzie’s high school journey was interrupted in 10th grade, right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. At 16 years old, she worked 60-hour weeks while caring for her sick grandmother. With overwhelming responsibilities, school had to be put on hold. After her grandmother passed away, Makenzie—then just 17—found herself […]
Evie Lewis Finds Her Path to Helping Others At just 19 years old, Evie Lewis has already lived a story full of courage, perseverance, and hope. Now, as she prepares to transfer to Western Carolina University and begin a new chapter, she reflects on the journey that brought her here—and the people who helped along […]
Maycie Norman, a senior at Crest High and a CCC cosmetology student, is taking her talent for design from Shelby to the national stage—with hopes of heading to FIT in New York.
For Taejauna “Tae” Spearman, the road to a career in surgical technology wasn’t straight—it was a winding path filled with challenges, determination, and self-discovery. Now in the final stretch of Cleveland Community College’s Surgical Technology program, Tae is preparing to graduate in May with an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology and an Associate […]
