Love what you do and do it with character.

Those two points were the center of the message Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples had for Trinity Valley Community College graduates Friday night.

Staples served as the guest speaker for two of the college’s three commencement ceremonies. More than 400 students received degrees and certificates during those ceremonies.

Staples — a Palestine native and TVCC alumnus — touched briefly on the importance of agriculture, but for the most past the advice he imparted was of a more general nature.

“Love what you do and you will never have to work another day in your life,” said Staples. “I get up every morning with excitement because of the opportunities life has given me.”

Being passionate about life leads to success, he noted.

“Some people say success is a destination. I say it’s the journey,” said Staples.

He pointed to some of history’s best success stories – such as Orville and Wilbur Wright and Thomas Edison. Because of their passion and determination, said Staples, they led successful lives and changed the course of history.

Staples’ second piece of advice was not about dealing with life, but about what it takes for each graduate to develop a sense of pride in themselves.

“Make sure the person you look at in the mirror each morning is someone you want to spend some time with,” said Staples.

Make certain, he told the graduates, your name is linked with characteristics such as honesty and integrity. If people believe you are a person of character, you will have better relationships and be able to deal with the challenges of life.

“Remember, wisdom doesn’t necessarily follow age. Sometimes age comes by itself ... There are no directions for life. Life is what you make it,” said Staples.

In addition to Staples, new TVCC president Glendon Forgey spoke briefly to the class.

“We are proud of your success and confident you are well-prepared for whatever the future holds,” said Forgey. “You are my first graduating class as president. You will always be special to me.”

Forgey, in addition to congratulating all graduates, also recognized special grads with the President’s Award. The award is given to students who display exceptional performance, not only in the classroom but around campus and in the community.

This year, the President’s Award was given to four students:

• Khristopher Hobbs of Ferris — Hobbs is a member of the TVCC Student Senate and serves as a Cardinal Ambassador. He was involved with the Drop Everything and Read program — which helps elementary school students with their reading skills. He was also a part of the Collegiate Ministry.

• Katherine Crorey of Bridge City — Crorey has served as the captain of the Cardette Drill Team and the secretary of the TVCC Student Senate. She has been involved in the Drop Everything and Read Program and worked with Labor of Love.

• Scott Ihrig of Austin — Ihrig is the current captain of the Cardinal Cheerleaders and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors fraternity. He is a member of the TVCC Student Senate and has worked with the Henderson County Food Pantry. He will be transferring to Oklahoma State University in the fall.

• Kirsten McCormick of Kaufman — McCormick has worked as a tutor while attending TVCC. The music major has served as an officer of both the Cardinal Singers and the TVCC Music Students Association. She is married with two small children.

Students who received degrees from TVCC during Friday’s ceremonies were (listed alphabetically by hometown):

ATHENS: Kristen A. Adair, AA; Aimee L. Allen, AA; Tonya R. Anderson, AAS; Laryn T. Andrews, CER; Cameron H. Armstrong, AA; Holley R. Atkinson**, AA; Michael E. Brown, AA; Maile Burkhalter**, AA; Jamie L. Cunningham**, AA; Cameron C. Davis, AA; Michael Dunnington, AA; Pamela Dustman, CER; Melissa Fletcher, CER; Jamie M. Frederick, AA; Kaytlyn M. Fugitt, AA; David Goodwin, CER; Nancy E. Graham, AAS; Jessica R. Grammer, AAS; Rebecca A. Hanson, AA; Tyronzila L. Hudson, AA; Erma D. Hurd, CER; Jeana A. Jackson, CER; Patrick J. Jennings, AA; Constance C. Johnson, AAS; Lorna A. Jumper, AAS; Stormi A. Kugle*, AA; Deborah L. Martinez*, AAS; Joshua L. Mcconnell, AAS; Daniel K. Mcwhirter, AA; Nicolas K. Mettetal, CER; Lajaerica L. Moore, CER; Chevonne L. Nash*, AAS; Nicki Noteware, CER; Darla J. Nuckolls, AAS; Susan L. Padgett, AA; Dawn M. Parker, AAS; Amy L. Popejoy*, AA; Randy E. Powell, AAS; Mackenzi Price**, AA; Amy K. Proper, AA; Donna J. Reed, AA; David Skiles, AA; Christina M. Smith, AA; Crystal Smith, CER; Dustin U. Smith, CER; Dee M. Speer, AAS; Davin R. Strom, AA; John D. Talley, AAS; Wendie S. Tatom, AA; Travis Tedford, AA; Irene Torres, AAS; Monyca L. Warren, AA; Amanda Wiley, AA.

BEN WHEELER: Rachel R. Huggins, AAS; Kathryn L. Nixon, AAS.

BRIDGE CITY: Katherine Crorey, AA.

BROWNSBORO: Kayla King, AAS; Dustin K. Nichols, AA.

BUFFALO: Brandon L. Glass, CER.

CANTON: Jami L. Andersh, AA; Julie Berry, AAS; Robin M. Booth, AA; Travis R. Eberhart, AA; Todd A. Gamel, AAS; Marissa A. Green, AA; Ashley E. Hartline, AA; Ashlie L. Miller, CER; Julian H. Platter, CER; Stephanie Shortridge, AAS.

CHANDLER: Heather M. Hand, AAT; Jennifer R. Hardin, AAS; Alisha McDowell, CER.

EDGEWOOD: Jennifer D. Crye, AAS; Brandi J. Foster, AAS; Lindsay N. Pickens, CER.

ELKHART: Artisha Harden, CER; Erica N. Montgomery, AA; Jacob Mosley, AA; Rebecca D. Osborne, CER; Gary R. Vanmeter, AAS.

ELMO: Debra King*, AA.

EUSTACE: Cynthia Bass, CER; Amy J. Crance, CER; David S. Floyd, CER; Vickie Goodell***, AA; Christina M. Hampton, AAS; Troy B. Jones, AA; Carrie S. McKinney, AAS; Johnny Roberts, AA; Barbara L. Wiggins, AAS.

FAIRFIELD: Shellie M. Davis, AAS.

FLINT: Rebekah J. Schear, CER; Hillary M. Stephens, CER.

FORNEY: Amy N. Ardis*, AAS; Scott D. Cleveringa, CER; James A. Evans*, AAS; Diane L. Kopfer, AAS; Cynthia C. Leuschner, AAS; Derick N. Nethery, CER; Tanya J. Norton, AAS; Amy M. Patterson*, AAS; Jay Sanders, AAS; Justin P. Thomasson, AA; Katherine Walden, AAS.

GRAND SALINE: Matthew G. Hazel, AAS; Gina D. Holland*, AA.

GRAPELAND: Marcus G. Musick, AA.

GUN BARREL CITY: Amy Anthony, AA; Anastacia M. Armick*, AA; Tonya R. Capley, AA; Lacosta L. Davis, AA; Kristy Horton*, AA; Tamara L. Land, AAS; Adrienne Langley, AA; April Nelson, AA; Jessica L. Odom, CER; Keith W. Wagoner, CER;.Jessica B. White, CER.

HOUSTON: Mary K. Bondurant, AA.

IRVING: Dutchess Garcia, AA; Hedrine M. Nana*, AAS.

JERSEY VILLAGE: Nicole Demontigny*, AA.

KEMP: Dorcus D. Amyx, AAS; Keala D. Bonsal, CER; Erin R. Burchard*, AA; Amanda M. Clamon, CER; Kathleen C. Crowden, AA; Jessica L. Daniels, AAS; Dan B. Davis*, AA; Elizabeth A. Dunn*, AA; Rebecca L. Goodman**, AA; Kayla Kenney, AAT; Rebecca D. Key*, AA; Brandi Litts, AA; Tina M. Lott, AAS; John D. Mason, CER; Erika Moore, AAS; Mona L. Nix**, AAS; Jennifer D. Palmer*, AA; John L. Stephens, AAS; Brent T. Stringer**, AA; Sharon N. Wallis, CER; Jennifer M. Welch**, AAT; James E. Whiteley, CER.

LARUE: Linda G. Wilkey, AAS.

LOG CABIN: Steven S. Sutton, AAS.

MABANK: Susan M. Anderson, CER; Tiffany A. Blaase, AA; Lindsey D. Brignac, AAS; Tiffany F. Chambers, AA; Eugene J. Chessher, AA; Amanda M. Davenport, AAS; John J. Dawdy, AA; Amanda K. Duncan, AA; Paula Followwell, CER; John M. French, CER; Karen S. Godby, AA; Elizabeth A. Gonzalez, CER; Jessica S. Griffith, CER; Karla Harrell, CER; Donna M. Hopson, CER; Marilea D. Kellar, CER; Diana N. Kennedy, AAS; Kashion B. Lewis, AAS; Jessica Mixon**, AA; Thelma J. Moser, AA; Brenda L. Palmer, AAS; Lauren H. Roberts, AA; Karen F. Smith*, AA; Deedra K. Williams, AA; Amanda C. Winn, AA; Carrie L. Winn, CER; Robert D. Young, CER.

MALAKOFF: Jason R. Hairl, AA; Latasha Hopkins, AA; Kimberly McCloud, AAS; Jeri K. Moore, AAS; Miranda N. Pelligra, AAT; Deborah Rankin, CER; Bonnie L. Smith, CER; Melissa J. Weaks**, AA.

MONTALBA: Jaime Caceres*, AA; Jeremy B. Mcrae, AA.

MURCHISON: Autumn Bragdon, AA; Drew M. Flowers, AAS; Chris Sawyer, CER; Christy Templin, CER.

NEVEDA: Tamara L. Barr, AAS.

PALESTINE: Mickey L. Bailey, AA; Andrea K. Blagg*, AA; Patricia H. Brewer, AAS; Annie M. Calhoun, AA; Theresa E. Calloway, AA; Jordan V. Crabill, AA; Nicholous L. Curry, AA; James W. Danheim, AA; Siti R. Davis, CER; Chemerlee N. Donnell, AA; Marcia A. Edwards, AAS; Michael J. Foley, AA; Rege H. Harrison, CER; Megan L. Hasty, AA; Felicia S. Hickerson, AA; Trisha R. Howell*, AA; Kathryn M. Johnson, AA; Rachael Kirchenwitz, AAS; Haley B. Kirkpatrick, CER; Beatris Ledesma, AA; Julie D. Lively**, AA; Maria G. Lopez, AA; Adrean C. Magee, AA; Claudia Marquez, CER; Joshua Minter, AA; Pedro Ontiveros, AA; Courtney B. Powers, AA; Gwen E. Raymond, AA; Elizabeth A. Richmon, CER; Tammy L. Robeson, AA; Amberly D. Rohne, AA; Sabrina L. Simmons, CER; Tanis M. Singleton, AAS; Rebekah N. Stevens, AA; Catherine Streetman, AA; K L. Westbrook**, AA; Rachael C. Wodecki, AA; Timothy E. Young**, AA.

QUINLAN: Kristy C. Driver*, AA; Anne C. Smith, CER; Lauren E. Tatsch*, AA.

ROSSER: Lacy Burkes, AAS; Jayme E. Burley, AA.

SCURRY: Thelma D. Black, AAS; Carolyn V. Hall, AAS; Chad Hughes**, AA; Brittney Lathem, AAS; Silke N. Sterling*, AA; Gary N. Vann, AAS.

SEVEN POINTS: Cynthia Ledezma, AA.

TENN COLONY: Pamela K. Dean, AAS.

TOOL: Tina J. Copeland, AAS.

TRINIDAD: Kimberly D. Allen, CER; Marilyn J. Quinn, CER; Tiffanye A. Sellers, AA; Candice M. Tapley, CER.

AA – Associate of Arts

AAS – Associate of Applied Science

CER – Certificate

* Denotes honors graduate

** Denotes high honors graduate

*** Denotes highest honors graduate