2014 Combined

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Bailey encourages fellow ECCC graduates Speclal to The Star family and friends.

"... to the Class of 2014, congratulations for making it here today. Thank you for your hard work and determination. I hope that each of you will continue on this path. Know that walking across this stage does not make you successful. Your true success is determined by how you live your life and who you are living itfor. I pray that you will always seek wisdom from the word of God rather than the words ofman. James 1:5 states, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives gener· ously to all without findi°ng fault, and it will be given to him.'" Bailey reminded her fellow classmates that fol· lowing graduation, they will all once again, be faced with those same life questions and feelings of being lost as they have in the past when beginning a new chapter of their lives. "But I know that there will always be something else to do, somewhere else to go, someone new to meet. There is beauty in not knowing what is going to happen next. It gives me a hope for my future and a reassurance that I have God to rely on to take care of each and every step because He's alway~ one step ahead - • " 12~1 sa ,.. e ..... ~-~ ne .. ~." There.tore I 'Ill.ill boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecu tions, in difficulties. For

Addressing her fellow graduates at East Central Community College's 85th Commencement held Saturday at the Neshoba County Coli· seum in Philadelphia, Mary Margaret Bailey of Philadelphia said she learned the true value of community at ECCC and how important it is. "Searching for answers (at ECCC) led me to find my greatest asset I could have ever imagined. I found a com· munity. I found people who I could relate to, people who truly cared." Bailey began her remarks by reminding her fellow graduates and commencement cere· mony attendees to "rejoice always not just when things seem to be going your way." "'Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice.' Paul states this in Philippians 4:4. This verse means to rejoice while staying up too late and driving to Waffle House. It means to rejoice while studying numerous hours on end. It means to rejoice in times of worry and anx iety that we college kids tend to face on a daily basis. It means to rejoice over your good grade'.'> and the bad It means to

Special to Th• Star

Mary Margaret Balley addresses her fellow graduates at East Central Community College's 85th Commence ment held Saturday at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia.

when I am weak, then I am strong.' Therefore, the more struggles I face, the more glory He receives.'' She concluded her remarks with the fol· lowing thoughts on her journey at ECCC. "Through my feelings learned that I have to be patient because answers require searching and lis· tening and waiting. I learned that I need to have faith in God and to seek His wisdom in every a pect of my life. I le4rced • 'e to the .. 1tuatlon.. at hand but not compromi e my values. I learned that I will not always krtow the answer and I am glad because if I did, I would not know anything about faith or trust or hope. I learned that I always of being lost, I have learned so much. I

have an opportunity to tell someone about the love of Christ and that I must never cease to tell others about His grace and mercy. I have learned that it is okay to be a little lost because I know that I am never alone and I must rely on the Lord to help me make it through life's mys teries. I have learned to always rejoice.'' In addition to Bailey, those participating in the program include gradu ating sophomores Matthew Evans of Forest. who ga-.·e the invocation; ~" Chelsea Carpbe.ll f

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re101ce m ume of uncer· taint)· when we feel like we are not sure what may happen next." Bailey, an ECCC Hall • : of Fame member, con· tinued by commending S = her fellow classmates and thanking them and her E

College President Dr. Billy W. Stewart awarded degrees and certificates to more than 450 gradu· ates. Dr. Teresa Houston, Vice President for Instruction, presented candidates.