July 1, 2025
Family and friends packed Malone Chapel at 91福利 for the Barbering and Cosmetology graduation on Thursday, June 26. The day commemorated nearly a year of dedication to learning their trades and preparing for state boards.
Attendees were welcomed by Cosmetology student Holly Smith, with Barbering student Jonavin Khan providing the Invocation. Dr. Amy Townsend, Dean of Career and Technical Education, greeted the graduates and attendees.
鈥淐ongratulations to each of you,鈥� said Townsend. 鈥淧RCC wishes each of you a successful career as you go and practice the Wildcat Way鈥�pride, respect, class, and character. Always take those values with you into your job and all aspects of your next journey.鈥濃��
Tyrone Gatlin, a 2006 graduate from the barbering program, served as the designated speaker for the graduation ceremony. He owns and operates Teddis Barber in Tylertown while also being an active member of the community, serving as chairperson of the Community Engagement Council, the founder of ., and both an associate and youth minister at Mesa Baptist Church.
Gatlin spoke on the crossroads of life, referring to fundamental truths, including the need to be of good character, being on time, building relationships, and being a person of integrity.
鈥淥n my path at PRCC, I got more than my barbering license; I developed relationships and began to connect with other people, which is what I needed,鈥� said Gaitlin. 鈥淲e need to know the truth of life. You are the new kids on the block, and to make your name known, you must set the standard high. If you become a person of value, success will chase you.鈥�
Career and Technical Education Program Specialist Jennifer Hannah introduced each candidate, including their hometown, immediate career plans, and long-term goals. Certificates were presented by their instructors and Dr. Townsend.鈥��
Five students graduated from the year-long led by Instructor of Barbering Tyrone McLaurin. A mixture of coursework and hands-on instruction is delivered with a focus on shaving and cutting hair.鈥�
Roland Kadera O鈥橞anner of Lumberton is the recipient of the Family and Consumer Science Barbering Award for 2025. After receiving his license, he plans to work at Loft 49 Barbershop in Hattiesburg.
鈥淚 have a lot of family members in the barbering and cosmetology industries, so they鈥檝e always paved the way for me to join it,鈥� said O鈥橞anner. 鈥淒uring my senior year at Belhaven University, where I earned my degree in sports medicine, I was at a barbershop where the barber told me a gift of clippers changed his career path. Later that day, I learned my family had ordered me a set of clippers, and I decided to pursue barbering.鈥�
O鈥橞anner highly recommends the Barbering program at PRCC.
鈥淭o anyone who doesn鈥檛 know what they want to do in their future, it is always good to get a good trade,鈥� said O鈥橞anner. 鈥淭he barbering industry is growing, and it is one that I highly recommend.鈥�
Sixteen students graduated from the eleven-month-long led by Instructor of Cosmetology Michelle Patterson. During that time, students learn the basics of hair, skin, and nails.鈥��
Aven Rodgers of Columbia found every moment of the program worth the blood, sweat, and tears to get to graduation. She wants to do both hair and makeup at a salon to hone her skills further.
鈥淏eing a cosmetologist is something I wanted to do since I was a child,鈥� said Rodgers. 鈥淓ventually, I hope to move out of Mississippi and work in special effects makeup.鈥�
Barbering graduates include Zachary Ja鈥橰ohd Hampton of Columbia, Sunni Saze Harry of Hattiesburg, Amarrion Dontavious Hopkins of Columbia, Jonavin Khan of Gulfport, and Roland Kadera O鈥橞anner of Lumberton.
Cosmetology graduates Brittney Allegmand Brewer of Marrero, Louisiana, Madelyn Diane Brown of Hattiesburg, Shiann Brownell of Perkinston, Cassidy Dungan of Purvis, Samantha Graves of Columbia, Abigail Hobgood of Carriere, Kyleigh Lawler of Purvis, Courtney Lynn Milburn of Kokomo, Kayla Olivia Morris of Slidell, Louisiana, Abbie Brooke Pearson of Poplarville, Aven Rodgers of Columbia, Layla Shockey from Poplarville, Holly Smith of Picayune, Cassidy Lynn Steiner of Kiln, Madelyn Grave Stovall of Hattiesburg, and Aleigha Zarate of Santa Maria, California.
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Article and photography by Laura O’Neill.
