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Holmes Community College honored 17 paramedic students during a graduation ceremony Monday, Aug. 4, at 3 p.m. in the McGowan Workforce Training Center on the Ridgeland Campus.
Family, friends and faculty gathered to celebrate the graduates, who completed the rigorous program designed to prepare them for state certification and careers in emergency medical services. The program is led by EMS Program Director Mark Galtelli, along with instructors Yancy Brewer and Sandra Hultz.
The 2025 paramedic graduates include Walter Beamon of Vicksburg, Michael Campbell of Pearl, Mark Greenwood of Vaughan, Peyton Grewe of Flora, Recardo Johnson of Brandon, Vincent McRaven of Vicksburg, Shanta McNair of Columbus, Marlin Nickson of Vicksburg, Jonathan Phillips of Mendenhall, Kimberly Phillips of Amory, Joseph South of Canton, Nicholas Stump of Vicksburg, Quinyia Taylor of Canton, Alysha Thrasher of Canton, Jessica Tucker of Meridian, Daniel Weeks of Utica and Jermaine Winston of Madison.
Nicholas Stump was named Paramedic Student of the Year, an award recognizing the student who excels academically and clinically while demonstrating exceptional character through respect for and encouragement of others. Brewer presented the award to Stump during the ceremony.
During his remarks, Galtelli praised the graduates for their perseverance through an intense program.
“I want to congratulate you guys on the work that you have done,” Galtelli said. “It is nothing short of a feat, the amount of effort it takes to get through a paramedic program. A year might seem like a long time, but in the blink of an eye, it’s gone.
“You will be exhausted, mentally fatigued and ready to quit just about every day, but when you look back after your accomplishments, you will appreciate the last year. Hopefully you’ve made friendships and acquaintances that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your career.
“Our program is nearing its 25th year and has graduated over 470 students, many of whom now serve across Mississippi and beyond, providing outstanding care. You’ve got big shoes to fill, and I know you can do it. What you’ve done doesn’t stop today—this is a field that grows every day, and your success depends on what you put into it.”
Following his address, Galtelli presented certificates to the graduates.
For more information about the paramedic program or upcoming classes, visit https://holmescc.edu/career-technical/emergency-medical-sciences/.
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IN THIS PHOTO: Pictured are the Holmes Community College Ridgeland Campus Paramedic graduates. They are (front row, left to right) Jermaine Winston, Jessica Tucker, Nicholas Stump, Michael Campbell, Walter Beamon, (middle row, left to right) Recardo Johnson, Quinyia Taylor, Kimberly Phillips, Shanta McNair, Marlin Nickson, (back row, left to right) Jonathan Phillips, Joseph South, Mark Greenwood, Vincent McRaven and Peyton Grewe.
