Tech Center grads encouraged to conquer fear

In her address to graduates of the Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson, Clarksville educator Katobwa Stallworth pumped the students with confidence while leading them to conquer one small, four-letter word…fear.

“Fear is something you must master to be the great person you are meant to be,” Stallworth said. “Flip the meaning of fear,” she said, “…you’ve got what it takes and it simply takes what you have to succeed.”

Stallworth, the principal of Tabernacle Christian School, said the opposite of fear is faith. “You’ve already done that. You have to believe. You have to have some enthusiasm…be ready, willing, able and eager.

“Fear hates confidence,” she said.

In introducing her, Technology Center Director Mark Powers said Stallworth has a track record of helping others achieve their educational and career goals. She holds a master’s in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. She was formerly with the North Tennessee Private Industry Council at Ft. Campbell where she helped soldiers transition into the civilian workforce. She also served within the Nia Association, a Clarksville non-profit entity helping individuals with developmental needs.

At Tabernacle Christian School, she’s led the school through a tripling of its size, achievement of accreditation, and improved student performance on standardized tests.

In his welcome to students and their families, Powers challenged the graduates to continue learning in their career fields and to mentor someone coming along behind them.

Student Services staff members Angela Davis and Johnnie Little played and sang Lean on Me for the graduates.

Emcee for graduation ceremonies, Student Services Coordinator Gary A. Fouts, recognized several students for accomplishments during their enrollment.

• Inductees into the National Technical Honor Society:

              Tammy Carter, Dental Assisting, Dickson

              Adam Maynard, Diesel Powered Equipment, Thompson Station

              Debra Stringer, Business Systems Technology, Dickson

• Dental Assisting Instructor Vanessa Pilkinton presented Tammy Carter of Dickson with the Student of the Year award for her program.
• The following students were recognized for their administrative assistant internships at the school Green Sustainable Energy campus:

             Debra Stringer, Business Systems Technology, Dickson

             Holly Hooberry Poth, Business Systems Technology, Bon Aqua

• Earl Guillemet, a resident of Hopkinsville, KY, and a graduate of the Clarksville Extension Campus, was recognized for having passed the North American Technician Excellence certification exam. NATE is the nationally recognized certification for the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning industry.
• Michael Vicars, a graduate of the Machine Tool Technology program at the Clarksville Extension Campus, was recognized for having completed some credentials through the National Institute of Metalworking Skills.

Following is the list of graduates who participated in the ceremony, their program and their hometown. Those with an asterisk by their program names were honor graduates (those students with A averages).

Mikie Ash Jr., HVAC/Refrigeration, Clarksville

Wendy Michelle Barfield, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Patsy G. Barton, Cosmetology*, Waverly

Melissa Diane Bell, Business Systems Technology, Dickson

Katie Bragg, Dental Assisting, McEwen

Alicia Michelle Breeden, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Jennifer Lawren Breeland, Business Systems Technology*, Clarksville

Thomas D. Broatch Jr., Solar Photovoltaic, Charlotte

Tammy Carter, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Daniel E. Cavanaugh II, Business Systems Technology, Charlotte

Matthew Chamberlain, Automotive Technology, Dickson

Johanna Diamante, Dental Assisting*, Centerville

Roger James Donovan III, Computer Information Technology, Clarksville

Samantha Felts, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Vickie Grace, Business Systems Technology, Chapmansboro

Earl Guillemet, HVAC/Refrigeration, Hopkinsville

Justin Wayne Hammons, Industrial Maintenance Technology*, Clarksville

Jessica Harsh, Business Systems Technology, Dickson

Brittany Lea Hatfield, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Holly Hooberry Poth, Business Systems Technology*, Bon Aqua

JJ Johnson, Diesel Powered Equipment*, Nunnelly

Rob Jones, Automotive Technology, Clarksville

Ashlee Lentz, Practical Nursing, Murfreesboro

Kyla Licwinko, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Amanda Deloris Lyle, Dental Assisting*, Cumberland City

Gwen Martin, Business Systems Technology, Dickson

Ashley Yvonne Maxwell, Dental Assisting, Parsons

Adam Maynard, Diesel Powered Equipment*, Thompson Station

Jessica Megan McCord, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Anna Melnychenko, Practical Nursing, Spring Hill

Jamie Neblett, Solar Photovoltaic*, Dickson

Eve Ness, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Tawnya Pezzi, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Roy Dale Pigg, Solar Photovoltaic*, Dickson

Jennifer Lynn Pollard, Practical Nursing, McEwen

Melea Paige Pulley, Dental Assisting*, Clarksville

Bethany Elizabeth Ann Purdin, Cosmetology*, Lyles

Lynda Kaye Rychen, Business Systems Technology, Waverly

Kayla N. Sanker, Dental Assisting*, Charlotte

Christine Anne Shackelford, Dental Assisting*, Dickson

Samuel Ethan Smith, Diesel Powered Equipment, Dickson

Kristi Smith-Livengood, Dental Assisting*, Lyles

William A. Spencer, Diesel Powered Equipment*, White Bluff

Keaton V. Staggs, Dental Assisting*Centerville

Angela Lea Story Spears, Cosmetology Instructor*, Burns

Debra Stringer, Business Systems Technology*, Dickson

Leslie Jo Taylor, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Candice Nicole Teitloff, Dental Assisting*, White Bluff

Ahnjayla Renee Trembath, Computer Information Technology, Clarksville

Amanda Vanderyt, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Michael Vicars, Machine Tool Technology*, Indian Mound

Nadja Suzette Welch, Practical Nursing, Springfield