As a preface to their official graduation ceremony May 9, thirteen paralegal students at North Central State College were honored last Wednesday during a special luncheon for their successful completion of the paralegal program.
The honorees were Jennifer Beaver, Aubray Burrage, Sarah Carpenter, Bobbi Everly, Linsay Grennell, Kimberly Hargis, Justin Higgins, Jolene Isaac, Zach Moyer, Angela Noe, Roxanne Purviance, Rebecca Schuster, and Katie Steiner.
Sarah Carpenter and Justin Higgins also received an award in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement.
Government officials, including the county commissioners and members of the local judiciary, were in attendance to show their support.
Commissioner Gary Utt read a proclamation that declared April 16, 2014 as “Paralegal Day.”
“Paralegals have distinguished themselves and their profession such that it is fitting that the citizens of Richland County recognize the contribution and achievements of the dedicated professionals toward the betterment of society,” said Utt while reading the proclamation.
Judith Sturgill, head of the paralegal program at NCSC, praised the students for their scholastic success. “They’ve done a tremendous job and I’m very proud of them,” she said.
Her students returned words of praise. Jazmyn Ross, first-year paralegal student, said, “Judith goes above and beyond to help us…When times would get hard, Judith never gave up on us.”
Some of the graduates intend to stay within the area and work at local paralegal offices, including Katie Steiner, who will be working at the Heck Law Offices with Attorney Jeff Heck in Mansfield.
Sarah Carpenter plans on pursuing two more years of education to get a bachelor’s in legal studies. Not only will she be graduating from NCSC this spring, but she will also be graduating from Shelby High School. She took classes in the paralegal program as a post-secondary student.
Justin Higgins, who hopes to stick around Mansfield after graduation, said of his experience in the paralegal program, “It’s been fun and interesting…never a dull moment.”
“Paralegals have distinguished themselves and their profession such that it is fitting that the citizens of Richland County recognize the contribution and achievements of the dedicated professionals toward the betterment of society,” said Commissioner Gary Utt.
