Northland Pioneer College honored its 46th graduating class in a virtual format this spring, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing. This year 747 students have applied for 841 associate degrees, certificates of applied science and certificates of proficiency. Seventy-six students graduated with transfer degrees. Among the graduates are five students receiving associate of business degrees, 13 earning associate of general studies degrees, 118 receiving associate of applied science degrees, 58 earning associate of arts degrees and 500 gaining certificates of proficiency. Actual degrees and certificates will be conferred upon verification of final grades and credits. Four outstanding graduates are being recognized for their top grade-point averages and overall scholastic achievement. They include Floy “Shaw” Michaela Carr, of Winslow, who is the top cosmetology graduate; Jeffrey Scott Hamilton of Overgaard, who is the honored business graduate; Samantha Lynn Roberts of Show Low, is the top associate of arts graduate; and Jackson Lee Tregaskes of Show Low is the top among the associate of science graduates. Carr has experienced amazing life events in each of her two years at NPC. Last year, she won the SkillsUSA state championship in cosmetology competition and then finished eighth in the national competition in Louisville. The trip to Kentucky marked the first time she had flown in a plane and the first time she’d traveled outside of Arizona. This year, she’s been balancing her studies with pregnancy; her son is due to be born in late May. The honors graduate award “means the world to me,” Carr says. “To accomplish something I didn’t think I could do encourages me to set higher goals. The SkillsUSA competition was challenging and it pushed me to my limits. My biggest challenge this year has been to juggle school and the pregnancy of my first child.” The success Carr has enjoyed in cosmetology is a reflection of her favorite quote. Alfred Mercier, a 19th century physician and writer, said, “What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” A member of PTK, Carr Shaw will take a couple more classes at NPC and then transfer to NAU to major in chemistry. Hamilton is shooting high in his career, very high. He’s been inspired by the late Norman Vincent Peale, a pastor known for his books on positive thinking. Hamilton stated, “Peale said, ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’ ” Preparing to transfer to NAU this fall, Hamilton will major in accounting and pursue that field as his career choice. “I wasn’t actually trying for the honors graduate award, but winning it surprised me and made me very happy,” Hamilton said. Northland Pioneer College serves the residents of Navajo and Apache counties through four regional campuses and five centers with a variety of educational options for academic, career and technical and personal enrichment. NPC supports each student’s educational goals through affordable tuition, small class sizes and caring, professional instructors. For more information about NPC programs and services, visit www.npc.edu or call (800) 266-7845.
