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SANFORD, N.C. — To earn her Cosmetology diploma, Peyton Burgess completed 1,500 hours of training — and spent more time working with mannequin heads than she had ever imagined. 

“Those 1,500 hours taught me that success does not come easy and it definitely isn’t about getting everything right the first time,” said Burgess, one of the student speakers at ������Ƶ’s recent graduation ceremony. 

������Ƶ proudly recognized its 246 summer graduates during its 69th Commencement Exercises, a joyful event held Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. at the college’s Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

“This is such a special day in our calendar,” ������Ƶ President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said. “We get to celebrate our graduates who have accomplished so much, been so diligent, worked so hard, and represented us so well.” 

At the beginning of the ceremony, graduates marched into the hall to the sound of bagpipes. Family, friends, and faculty cheered them on throughout the graduation, which was also videorecorded and streamed live by 4CNC. 

During her remarks to the graduates, Dr. Chapman asked them to turn and wave to their loved ones. The audience responded to their smiles and waves with full-throated cheers. 

“No matter what your next step is, know that you carry with you the belief that we all — WE ALL — have in you,” she said. 

Ty Stumpf, ������Ƶ’s Dean of Arts and STEM, served as Chief Marshal and Mace Bearer for the event, leading in the faculty and symbolizing the academic tradition and excellence upheld by the institution. Dr. Kristi Short, ������Ƶ’s Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, presented the graduates and Board of Trustees Chairman Julian Philpott conferred the diplomas. 

Yadhiel Cardona, the other student speaker, gave thanks for the faculty, staff, and loved ones who supported him as a Harnett Early College student working to graduate with an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Applied Science in Audio and Video Production Technology from ������Ƶ. 

“While this chapter of our lives is at its end, the foundation we built here wouldn't have been possible without the people standing by us off screen,” said Cardona, who is now starting a new full-time job with Univision. 

Like Cardona, Burgess’ journey at ������Ƶ started before she graduated high school. She enrolled in Cosmetology through dual enrollment, knowing it was the career she wanted to pursue. This decision meant balancing her training with her high school classes. 

“At the time, those days felt long, like they would never end,” she said. “But looking back now, they’re the moments I’m grateful for because they showed me the growth that happens when we choose to keep going.” 

Download photographs from the ceremonies at  ������Ƶ College Photos. Video of the ceremonies can be viewed on demand at .