‘Thank You for Persevering’

ORANGE PARK – St. Johns River State College celebrated its spring commencement Friday, honoring students who earned their associate and bachelor’s degrees or college certificates. 

More than 300 of the 700+ graduates participated in the ceremonies held at the Thrasher-Horne Center at the SJR State Orange Park campus.

The spring graduation was presented in three ceremonies to accommodate graduates and their guests with proper social distancing. During his first address to more than 100 high school seniors who earned their associate degrees, SJR State President Joe Pickens told graduates they were among one of the most significant audiences over which he had ever presided. 

“You’re making history for many reasons,” Pickens said. “This is, I believe, the first college graduation ceremony in the history of the state of Florida that is exclusively consisting of dual enrollment and collegiate high school students. … You would not be here today graduating without the partnership that we share and appreciate with our (K-12) partners in Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties. 

“All of you have overcome things you never imagined. What do you say to a group that has overcome what you have overcome? No one had a pandemic in their plans.”

Pickens shared how he asked the attending school superintendents Putnam County, Rick Surrency, and Clay County, David Broskie, to choose one word to describe the graduating class. The word was “perseverance.” 

“Thank you,” Pickens told the graduates. “Thank you for persevering.” 

Each graduate this spring has his or her own story of personal growth, perseverance or career changes to share. In total, the graduating class included students ranging in age from 17 to 50 and beyond, 192 dual enrollment and collegiate high school graduates, as well as EMT, nursing and radiologic technology graduates. 

Many, including Mary Givens, 48, of Palatka, were the first in their family to graduate from college. Givens admits that her academic journey as a nontraditional student was difficult at first, juggling coursework, family responsibilities and her job as a certified nursing assistant. 

Givens said it was always her goal as a single mother to raise her children and work hard to provide for their needs, but after her last child graduated from high school, it seemed like the perfect time to continue her education. 

“I decided it was time for me to do something for myself,” Givens said. “My very first semester, I had a lot of doubts about going back to school. I saw all these young students, and I was like, ‘this was the wrong decision.’” 

But after scoring well on her first quiz – and outscoring some of the younger students – she began to realize her age was not a factor. 

“You’re never too old to achieve a goal. You just have to put your mind to it,” she said.

With her associate degree completed, Givens plans to begin SJR State’s nursing program this fall and work toward her long-term goal of owning a child care facility and assisting children with special needs. 

Courtney Hoffman, 26, of Interlachen, was presented with the Valedictorian Award, which is given based on grade point average and difficulty of courses. Hoffman hopes to transfer her associate degree to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this fall to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering after she completes NASA’s Community College Aerospace Scholars summer program.

Hoffman said her ultimate goal is to reduce scarcity. Growing up in a low-income family and postponing her own college while working as an auto mechanic and waitress, she understands firsthand the burden of financial stress.

“My look on the world is that people suffer because there is scarcity in the world. … People struggle to get their fair share in life, and I think as a whole, we can all do better if we can learn to harness what’s out there and learn to mine asteroids and branch out and get humanity on another planet,” Hoffman said. “I want to do the most I can for humanity.”

Also among the graduates was Abby Cathlino. When SJR State introduced a collegiate high school program to Interlachen High School students in 2018, Cathlino first thought the opportunity was too good to be true. 

But with encouragement from her mother and big brother, she enrolled in the program as a high school freshman and spent the next four years working toward her high school diploma and her associate degree.

Cathlino, who once described herself as “the quiet kid who stayed in the corner,” said she often struggled with self-doubt, feeling that she did not measure up to her classmates. But as she completed each semester, Cathlino said her confidence grew.

“I was the kind of person who would put myself down and thought everyone around me was smarter,” she said. “... I’ve been able to grow into a young woman and find value in my accomplishments,” Cathlino said.

Cathlino said she is grateful for the jumpstart in her collegiate journey and plans to study cosmetology before returning to SJR State to earn a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. After years of struggling with self-doubt, Cathlino said her dream job will allow her to help others feel good about themselves. 

“In 10 years, I see myself running my own salon,” she said. 

Palatka resident Lillian Maxwell is a home-school, dual enrollment student who is committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Maxwell plans to transfer her associate degree to the University of Florida this summer, where she will double major in microbiology and conservation/wildlife ecology.

Maxwell said that growing up in Florida gave her a unique opportunity to experience the importance of conservation.

“I spent almost every hour of my weekends outdoors,” she said. “Kayaking, hiking, swimming, and camping allowed me to experience the relationship between people and the environment. It became evident that I wanted to work in research after I took Biology II.”

Maxwell is also one of three SJR State students to be named to the Florida College System’s 2021 All-Florida Academic Team for her academic achievement, leadership and community service. 

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