It was a jubilant and sweet morning on Saturday, May 16, as 508 students marched across the stage on the McNeill-Woodward Green at Sandhills Community College for its annual commencement celebration.
The 8:30 a.m. ceremony included students earning Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Fine Arts Transfer Degrees and the 10:30 a.m. ceremony celebrated students earning Associate in Applied Science Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates. Overall, there are 915 graduation applications with degrees, diplomas and certificates to be awarded in late June. Of those, 508 chose to march at the commencement ceremony with support of their family and friends, faculty and staff, who supported their journey and accomplishments.
“Today, we celebrate your accomplishments, your perseverance, and the communities that have helped you reach this moment. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and alumni—congratulations to each and every graduate,” offered President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart in his opening remarks.
He was joined on stage with Board of Trustee members including Chairman Larry Caddell, administrators, Senator Tom McInnis, Representative Neal Jackson. Representative Garland Pierce, Kurt Cook – Moore County Commissioner, John Ritter – Moore County Commissioner, Tom Adams – Moore County Commissioner, Dr. Leslie Neal – Sandhoke Early College Principal, Dr. Stephanie McGrit – Sandhoke Early College Assistant Principal, Colleen Pegram– Hoke High School Principal, and Student Government Association president Nicholas Watts.
Keynote Speaker
SCC Alumna Kayla Renee Lowery, and owner of Kayla Renee Bakery in Raeford, NC, keynote speaker for both ceremonies, shared her advice and wisdom to the graduates and their families packing the campus lawn.
Encouraging the graduates, Lowery shared:
“By the time I was 14, I had already turned my passion into a small business, creating custom cakes from home and earning my own money on weekends. What started as a hobby quickly became something more. I realized early on that this is what I wanted to do,” she said.
As she considered her next steps, Kayla made a decision that would shape her future—she chose to stay close to home in Raeford and attend Sandhills Community College. Through the Baking and Pastry Arts program, she gained not only technical skills, but also a deeper understanding of the business side of the industry. At Sandhills, she learned how to scale production while maintaining quality—something she now considers essential to her success.
At just 23 years old she opened her first store-front, starting with a small 800-square-foot space, her business quickly grew. Within two years, she had outgrown the space and began searching for something bigger. What she found was an old building in downtown Raeford—one that needed nearly a year of renovations before it could open.
Today, Lowery has built a menu that reflects both creativity and accessibility. She has intentionally built a business that brings people together.
As a member of the Lumbee Tribe and someone deeply connected to her family, Lowery always knew she wanted to return home and build something meaningful in her own community. Her advice for others looking to follow a similar path is simple: “You don’t have to start big. Just start.”
President Stewart’s Closing Remarks
Following the conference of degrees, diplomas and certificates, President Stewart concluded:
“I am so proud of you today. Because what Sandhills Community College has done is equip you to go and do, go and learn, and go and serve – with the skills, knowledge, and experiences you’ve gained here. Some of you will pursue another degree. Some of you will step into public safety—as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders. Some of you will repair automobiles, weld metal, wire buildings, fix the plumbing, or maintain advanced manufacturing systems. Some of you will prepare exceptional meals, manage businesses, survey land, build homes, investigate crimes, make music, work in information technology, educate children, or care for the sick, the aging, and the infirm. Whatever path you choose, I hope you choose to walk it in the spirit of service. Serve with the skills you’ve learned here. Serve with the knowledge and experiences you’ve gained. Serve when the call goes out and someone needs you. And sometimes, perhaps most importantly, serve with a kind word and a smile. Because the world needs all of that right now. Graduates, take what you have gained at Sandhills and use it not only to make a living, but to make a difference.”
Graduation Statistics
Moore County High Schools
- Eighteen students from Moore County high schools graduated with an Associate degree
- Two students graduated with a certificate
Hoke High School
- Five Hoke High School students graduated with an Associate degree
- Nine Hoke High students graduated with a Cosmetology certificate
Homeschool Students
- Three Homeschool students graduated with an Associate degree
- Two students graduated with a certificate
Private School Students
- Two Private school students graduated with an Associate degree
Sandhoke Early College High School
- Seventy-three Sandhoke Early College High School students earned associate degrees, prepared to start work or transfer to a four-year university
- AA-Sandhoke: 34 applicants
- AS-Sandhoke: 29 applicants
Honors of the Day
Mary Lumen Meyer Award
Abigail Kirkham of Southern Pines, NC
Presented to the graduate who has contributed most to the life of the college during their two years of study and Sue Williamson Faculty Award (Transfer) Recipient selected by the faculty and presented to the graduate who has demonstrated outstanding character and academic achievement.
“Abigail has truly contributed to the life of Sandhills Community College in a way that goes well beyond expectations. She has made a deliberate choice to fully engage in her time at SCC before transferring to her dream school, NC State, where she plans to major in Psychology. That intention shows up in everything she does. As a Student Ambassador, Abigail consistently brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a strong knowledge of the college to every campus tour and interaction with prospective students. She doesn’t just fulfill her role—she elevates it. She is someone who steps forward rather than waits to be asked, volunteering for every opportunity to serve and represent SCC. Abigail also demonstrates leadership through her role as President of the Natural Resource Management and Conservation Club (NRMCC), where she leads a group of students who share a passion for conservation and environmental stewardship. Her ability to bring people together around a common purpose speaks to her character and initiative. Academically, Abigail is equally impressive, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while remaining actively involved across campus. She represents Sandhills Community College with excellence both inside and outside the classroom, making a lasting impact on the college community. She is also a member of the Civic and Community Engagement Club, Circle K Club, Student Senator – serves on Academic Affairs Committee, and Student Wellness Committee, Student Ambassador, Student Tutor and Note Taker. Served on the Student Panel during the North Carolina Teaching and Learning Association’s Fall 2025. Her impact on the Sandhills community during her time as a Flyer will live on even after she transfers to NC State in the fall. Abby’s influence is felt deeply now and long-term,” nominator.
Sue Williamson Faculty Award (AAS)
Cyrenia Twigg of Robbins, NC
Recipient selected by the faculty and presented to the graduate who has demonstrated outstanding character and academic achievement.
“Cyrenia exemplifies outstanding character, resilience, and academic excellence. As a full-time working mother and healthcare professional, she has demonstrated remarkable dedication to her education, consistently completing her coursework to an exceptionally high standard, often achieving near-perfect results. Her ability to balance demanding professional responsibilities with academic success is truly exceptional. Cyrenia is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology – Computer Programming and Development, and has already earned recognition such as the President’s List and a Computer Programming Award. She has developed foundational skills in programming languages including C#, C++, Python, Swift, HTML, and PHP, along with experience in database concepts and computer systems. Her strong critical thinking skills and enthusiasm for problem-solving are evident in both her coursework and class participation. In addition to her academic achievements, Cyrenia brings valuable real-world experience from her work in healthcare, where she has demonstrated compassion, teamwork, and the ability to perform effectively in high-responsibility environments. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to support others make her a role model among her peers. She plans to continue her education at East Carolina University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Industrial Management, further demonstrating her commitment to growth and lifelong learning. Cyrenia’s achievements reflect not only academic excellence but also integrity, perseverance, and leadership. Cyrenia works full-time in the IT department at First Health, is a full-time mother of two and manages a full-time course load at SCC. She has proven both to herself and her classmates that she strives for excellence in all of her endeavors. She is an outstanding student that fully embraces our core values of Integrity, Helpfulness, Excellence, Respect, and Opportunity,” nominator.
President’s Award
Elizabeth Durtschi, of Aberdeen, NC
Presented to the graduate who has achieved the highest academic average with the most hours earned at Sandhills Community College. She obtained an Associate in Applied Science – Business Administration.
The award is sponsored by the Caddell family in honor of Lisa Caddell.
Elizabeth has attended Sandhills Community College since her junior year of high school in 2021 and has had the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines throughout her academic journey. She said she is grateful for the support and guidance of the many professors who have positively impacted her education and is passionate about healthcare and plans to pursue a career in nursing in the future. In the meantime, she plans to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained while working with her grandparents at their small business.
She is graduate of Pinecrest High School, earned an Associate in Arts spring 2023, and earned Business Administration AAS spring 2026. She resides in Spokane Valley, WA.
To see candid photos from both ceremonies, please visit the Sandhills Community College Flickr page.