Jalessa Blackshear was a single mom working three jobs at the Jersey Shore when she decided it was time to make a change. So she and her daughter Gia, now 4, moved to St. Petersburg, where she has lots of family. She started looking around at colleges and settled on St. Petersburg College, setting her sights on an Associate in Arts degree. On Saturday, Dec. 8, Blackshear walked across the stage to receive her diploma at the college’s 138th commencement.
SPC awarded degrees, certificates and workforce certifications to more than 2,400 students this semester with approximately 900 attending the ceremony at Tropicana Field. The youngest Fall 2018 graduate was 18, and the oldest was 76 years old. Eight of them, including SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams, were also celebrating their birthdays. She praised all of the graduates in her address.
“You inspire us with your determination,” she said. “Our students are far from ordinary – they are extraordinary.”
This graduation marked 174,637 certificates and degrees awarded by SPC opened its doors in 1927.
After a processional of faculty and administrators entered to the tunes of the St. Petersburg College Band, directed by Acting Academic Department Chair Nathan Muehl, Williams welcomed the large crowd of graduates, friends and families. The Rev. Andy Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church offered the invocation. SPC student Hannah White sang the National Anthem and later the Alma Mater. Williams thanked the faculty for their work in educating SPC students.
“You teach, nurture and guide our students on a daily basis,” she said. “Thank you for lifting them up.”
Survivor stories
SPC Graduate Ronelia Bailey
Two students offered inspiration, encouragement and gratitude to their fellow graduates and those who helped them reach their goals.
Ronelia Bailey, who received her Associate in Arts degree in Business, spoke about her health challenges and thanked many of her instructors for their support and encouragement.
“I am a kidney failure survivor,” she said, before thanking her anonymous kidney donor. “I am a Lupus survivor. I am a kidney transplant survivor. I was able to get through because of the love of my family, friends, and faculty and staff at SPC. Grads, I implore you to thank those who helped you along the way.”
Alexander Fisher captured the audience with his story of how, eight years ago, he was homeless and completely dispirited with life. He was encouraged by someone to do the work it took to make things different, and he took that advice and started taking steps to make changes and shake off the fear that had prevented him from moving forward for so long. He encouraged his fellow graduates and their family and friends to forget any fears that might be holding them back.
“Strive for the life you want,” Fisher told them. “Work hard, and your dreams will come to fruition. You are all good enough – you just have to believe in yourselves.” he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Management & Organizational Leadership.
SPC Graduate Alexander Fisher with SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams
Setting an example
With her degree in hand, Blackshear is passionate about what she can achieve in her future. She will pursue a bachelor’s degree and would like to initiate education reform and help communities reach their full potentials. She admits that, at times, it was a struggle to work two jobs, be a mom, volunteer in her community and succeed academically. She is thankful for the support services offered at SPC.
“I spent 20 hours a week at the Downtown campus with tutors. It was the only way I was going to pass,” she said.
And pass she did, because Gia and her family cheered her on as she received her diploma.
“I wasn’t going to walk,” Blackshear said. “But then I thought about my daughter and how it would be good for her to see me do this. I walked for her.”
See more photos from the event on the college’s Facebook page.
