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CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BUFORT COUNTY
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STRIPES[00:13:02]
OR THES WE WATCHED WERE SO STREAMING AND THE ROCK, THE BOMBS BURST IN AIR GAVE THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS DUE THERE.OH, SAY, DOES THAT THE LAND OF THE FREE AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EACH OF THE GRADUATES THAT WILL WALK ACROSS THIS STAGE.
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE.
FOR IT IS KNOWLEDGE THAT BROADENS OUR WORLD'S HORIZONS BEYOND THAT OF OUR OWN FINITE MINDS.
AND IT IS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE THAT WE CAN LEARN OF YOU AND THE WORLD THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED US TO INHABIT.
WE PRAY THAT EACH PERSON HERE FULLY GRASP
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NOT ONLY THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT THEY HAVE SEE ACHIEVED, BUT ALSO THE IMMENSE BLESSING THAT WE HAVE TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE THE FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE OUR HAPPINESS AND BROADEN OUR HORIZONS THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION.MAY EACH PERSON THAT IS PRESENT LIVE A LIFE OF GRATITUDE, ALWAYS CHASING BETTERMENT, NEVER ACCEPTING DEFEAT, REFUSING TO BECOME COMPLACENT, AND SEEING SETBACKS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN, RESOLVE, AND TO CONTINUE RATHER THAN END THEIR JOURNEY.
PLEASE BLESS ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL AS THE EDUCATORS THAT HAVE GIVEN OF THEMSELVES TO EMPOWER THESE GRADUATES FOR SUCCESS.
IT IS ALL THIS WE ASK IN YOUR MOST PRECIOUS NAME.
BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST, UH, SAY THANK YOU TO, UH, COMMANDER WEST, WHO'S HERE FOR THE TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
BACK REPEAT BY POPULAR DEMAND.
HE'S MY FAVORITE CHAPLAIN IN THE LOW COUNTRY.
AND THEN WE HAVE MR. GIBBS WHO SANG A NATIONAL ANTHEM.
HE'S MY FAVORITE TENOR IN THE LOW COUNTRY.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE WHALE BRANCH JUNIOR, ROTC GROUP WHO DID THE COLORS JUST A MOMENT AGO.
THEY'RE MY FAVORITE MARINE CORPS.
J FAVORITE JUNIOR, ROTC GROUP.
SO IF I CAN GET THIS MIC TO STAY UP, I'M GONNA TALK A MINUTE.
SO, GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
HONORED GUESTS, MEMBERS OF FACULTY AND STAFF, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE GRADUATES CLASS OF 2025.
WELCOME TO THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY.
SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1968, TCL HAS SERVED AS A BEACON OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF BUFORT, COLLETON, HAMPTON, AND JASPER COUNTIES.
WE AIM TO EDUCATE SKILLED PROFESSIONALS, ENGAGED CITIZENS, VISIONARY LEADERS.
OUR GOAL IS TO ELEVATE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION AND FORWARD THINKING TECHNOLOGY.
WE BELIEVE IN ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY, ACADEMIC AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION THAT MEETS THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR REGION.
AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT EX THANK YOU TO OUR EXTRAORDINARY FACULTY WHO ARE SITTING RIGHT HERE.
THEY DO ALL THE WORK AND I GET ALL THE CREDIT.
AND TO OUR STAFF WHO'S ALSO HERE, AND THEY ARE ALSO THE HARDEST WORKING PEOPLE, I THINK, IN THE LOW COUNTRY.
I WANNA THANK OUR AREA COMMISSION, UH, THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT.
SOME OF SOME OF 'EM RIGHT HERE.
UH, BEHIND ME, OUR FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SOME OF 'EM WHICH ARE BEHIND ME HERE ON THE STAGE, OUR LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS.
WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM HERE, UH, DONORS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
YOUR SUPPORT CREATED THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR STUDENTS THRIVE, AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP MAKES THIS WORK POSSIBLE.
SO TOGETHER, WE GATHER HERE IN THE HEART OF BEAUFORT, IN THIS STUNNING WATERFRONT PARK SURROUNDED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE LOW COUNTRY.
IN THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO RAIN, BUT IT DIDN'T.
AND I'M SO THANKFUL IT'S AN HONOR TO STAND HERE.
MY THIRD, MY 11TH YEAR IN A ROW TO DO THIS TO MARK ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN YOUR LIFE.
COMMENCEMENT IS MORE THAN A CEREMONY.
IT CELEBRATES DETERMINATION, RESILIENCE, AND UNSHAKEABLE PURSUIT OF GROWTH AND KNOWLEDGE.
THIS MOMENT REPRESENTS THE COMPLETION OF AN ACADEMIC JOURNEY AT TCL.
AND IT'S YOUR LAUNCHING POINT.
BUT FOR WHAT COMES NEXT, YOUR PATH TO THIS CEREMONY HAS BEEN MARKED BY HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE JUGGLED JOBS, CARED FOR FAMILIES, MET RESPONSIBILITIES, HIT ON AND FOUND THE STRENGTH TO STUDY AND LEARN.
YOU HAVE SHOWN US WHAT PERSEVERANCE LOOKS LIKE.
YOU HAVE SHOWN US WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE.
SO WHETHER YOU STOP, STEP INTO A CAREER RIGHT NOW THAT WILL SHAPE OUR REGION'S WORKFORCE OR CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY AT A FOUR YEAR INSTITUTION, YOU DO SO WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION ROOTED IN KNOWLEDGE, RESILIENCE, AND PURPOSE.
THIS IS NOT THE END OF YOUR JOURNEY.
IT'S A NEW BEGINNING CLASS OF 2025.
YOU'VE ARRIVED AT THIS DAY THROUGH DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, AND RELENTLESS
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PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE AREA COMMISSION.
GOOD EVENING, GRADUATES, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
I'M RANDY DOLNIK, CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY'S GOVERNING BOARD.
ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS MEMBERS AND THE FACULTY AND STAFF AND THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES, I WELCOME YOU TO THIS COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE.
TONIGHT, WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR DIVERSE AND DRIVEN CANDIDATES.
MANY HAVE FACED SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS IN PURSUING THEIR EDUCATION AS STUDENTS, YOU HAVE HAD TO BALANCE STUDIES WITH MANY OTHER DEMANDS ON YOUR TIME.
MANY HAVE JUGGLED FAMILIES ALONG WITH FULL OR PART-TIME JOBS, WHILE FACING THE DAILY CHALLENGES OF LIFE.
ALL ARE COMMENDED FOR YOUR DEDICATION, EFFORT, HARD WORK, AND SACRIFICING YOUR THE PURSUIT OF YOUR CHOSEN FIELD OF STUDY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TONIGHT, YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL, RECEIVE YOUR DEGREE, AND BECOME TCL ALUMNI.
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU DOES NOT END TODAY.
AS ALUMNI, WE HOPE THAT THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE LEARNED WILL CREATE A LASTING IMPACT IN YOUR LIFE.
AND THOSE WHO RELY UPON YOU, WHETHER YOU CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION, BEGIN NEW CAREERS, OR CONTINUE WITH CURRENT, WE OFFER YOU OUR BEST WISHES AND OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
WE APPRECIATE THE FAITH YOU HAVE SHOWN THE COLLEGE, AND WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TCL AS THE COLLEGE CONTINUES TO GROW AND SERVE THE LOW COUNTRY.
WE ASK YOU TO SERVE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY BY EMPLOYING THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED DURING YOUR TIME HERE.
SO TONIGHT, WE CELEBRATE YOU, YOUR ACHIEVEMENT, AND WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS AND DESERVED HAPPINESS, BEST WISHES AND RISE TIDES.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK A MOMENT ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION HONOREE.
THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION RECOGNIZES A CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY LEADER WHO EXHIBITS ENTHUSIASM, INTEGRITY, AND PERSEVERANCE BEYOND THE ORDINARY TO HELP BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.
THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS HELD A LEADERSHIP POSITION, HAS BEEN A CATALYST FOR GROWTH, AND WAS COMMITTED TO EDUCATION AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LEARNING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS YEAR'S HONOREE CHARLES W BILL BOOLE.
HE'S A LONG TIME RESIDENT AND RETIRED BOOTLE HEIR SYSTEMS OWNER AND A FRIEND.
HE'S, HE'S A DECORATED US ARMY VETERAN.
HE'S ALSO BEEN ACTIVE ACROSS MANY CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND IS A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE LOW COUNTRY IN 2028.
IN 20 0 8, HE WAS HONORED AS THE SOUTH CAROLINA AMBASSADOR OF ECONOMIC, UH, DEVELOPMENT.
AS A MEMBER OF THE TCL AREA COMMISSION, REPRESENTING BUFORT COUNTY, BILL SERVED FOR OVER A OR NEARLY A DECADE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE LONGEST TENURES OF ANY COMMISSIONER IN OUR COLLEGE HISTORY.
AS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF SEVERAL STRATEGIC COMMITTEES.
HE COMMITTED TIME, INSIGHT, AND LEADERSHIP.
HE HELPED ESTABLISH TCLS HVAC PROGRAM, WHICH IS NOW ONE OF THE COLLEGE'S SIGNATURE PROGRAMS. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FI FOUNDING THE COLLEGE AND CAREER SKILLS CENTER AND HELPED SECURE A $2.3 MILLION TITLE THREE GRANT TO IMPROVE STUDENT PERSISTENCE AND GRADUATION.
HE ALSO CHAMPIONED TCLS DESIGNATION AS A MILITARY FRIENDLY COLLEGE AND THE EXPANSION OF VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER.
THAT'S ACHIEVEMENT THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF, PROUD OF.
HE ALSO HELPED LAUNCH A TECHNICAL CAREER PRO,
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A TECHNICAL CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.NOW A STATEWIDE MODEL, WHICH OFFERS DEBT-FREE COLLEGE CREDIT AND ACCELERATED COMPLETION, COLLEGE COMPLETION FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE LASTING INPUT, PACKED AN UNWAVERING BELIEF IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION.
I'M HONORED TO PRESENT MR. BILL BOOLE WITH A 2025 PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION.
BILL CAN'T BE WITH US HERE TONIGHT.
HE WOULD IF HE COULD, BUT HE'S NOT HERE.
BUT IN HIS ABSENCE, HIS SON ED WILL ACCEPT THIS MEDAL ED.
I'M NOT THE GIFTED SPEAKER THAT MY DAD IS.
I WAS JUST KIND OF GOOD AT MATH.
SO THAT WOULD SERVE MY PURPOSE.
UM, WISH HE COULD BE HERE AND NOT MEET, BUT HE IS LISTENING ALONG WITH MY SON BACK, UH, IN HIS HOME RIGHT NOW.
SO, UM, JUST LIKE TO SAY A LOT OF THINGS, UH, SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY DAD IS HE, A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW US FROM THE COMPANY THAT WE HAD HERE, BUT HE LEFT BEAUFORT AT 17, WAS IN THE MILITARY FOR 30 YEARS, AND HE SERVED ENLISTED AND AS AN OFFICER WAS A DRILL INSTRUCTOR AND AN AVIATION INSTRUCTOR.
BUT HE WAS ALWAYS PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION.
UM, WHEN WE CAME BACK TO BEAUFORT, HE ATTENDED TCL, THEN HE TAUGHT AT TCL, THEN WE STARTED THE BUSINESS.
AND HE WAS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT CONTINUING TO SERVE WITH TCL.
UM, SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FASHIONS AND, UM, YOU KNOW, HE JUST KEPT LEANING INTO IT.
AND HE WOULD STOP PEOPLE AT THE STORE.
IF HE WAS AT LOWE'S OR HE WAS AT PUBLIX OR SOMEWHERE, HE WOULD GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE AND TRY TO GET THEM TO ENROLL IN TCL AND LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.
SO, UM, JUST VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS, FOR HIM.
EACH YEAR THE COLLEGE INVITES GRADUATION CANDIDATES TO COMPETE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS STUDENT SPEAKER AT THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY.
THOSE INTERESTED ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THAT INCLUDES A PERSONAL STATEMENT OF INTEREST, A HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
MS. KAREN ERTA IS A TCL DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENT AND SENIOR AT BATTERY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE IS THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS AND ONE OF FIVE CHILDREN.
SHE WORKS FOUR JOBS AND RUNS HER OWN SMALL BUSINESS.
TODAY SHE IS RECEIVING HER ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE.
IN THE FALL, SHE WILL BE ATTENDING CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TO MAJOR IN PHILOSOPHY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN LAW, LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE.
PLEASE WELCOME MS. KAREN HUERTA.
GOOD EVENING, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FACULTY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MY FELLOW GRADUATES OF CLASS OF 2025.
IT IS AN HONOR BEING ABLE TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ALL TODAY.
CROSSING THE STAGE IS NOT ABOUT A PIECE OF PAPER, BUT IT REPRESENTS NIGHTS WE STAYED UP WHILE OTHERS SLEPT HOURS.
WE WORKED WHILE OTHERS RESTED AND DREAMS WE HELD ONTO EVEN WHEN THEY FELT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WE DID IT.
NOW GRADUATES DO ME A FAVOR AND TAKE A MOMENT AND LOOK AROUND NEXT TO YOU.
NOTICE THE BLACK GOWN ON YOUR BODY, THE CAP ON YOUR HEAD, AND THE CORDS AROUND YOUR NECK.
THESE AREN'T JUST SYMBOLS OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
THEY REPRESENT A HARD EARNED VICTORY, A TESTAMENT TO EVERY CHALLENGE YOU'VE OVERCOME TO REACH THIS DAY.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M GONNA TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK OUR PROFESSORS FOR BELIEVING IN US, CHALLENGING US, AND PREPARING US FOR THE, FOR OUR LIFE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, AND ESPECIALLY FOR ACCEPTING OUR LATE WORK.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MR. KINZIE FOR BEING MY MENTOR TO RECEIVING THIS DEGREE.
AND TO OUR COUNSELORS, ADVISORS, ADMINISTRATORS,
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AND STAFF, THANK YOU FOR GUIDING US, ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS, AND MAKING THIS JOURNEY POSSIBLE.VICTORIOUSLY, COMPLETING MY ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BEFORE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, VICTORIOUSLY, MAINTAINING STRAIGHT A'S WHILE WORKING FOUR JOBS AVERAGING 70 HOURS A WEEK.
I AM, AS OF ALL OF MY FELLOW GRADUATES, ARE A SYMBOL OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE WHEN DETERMINATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY AND WHEN HARD WORK MEETS HOPE.
GWEN STACY FROM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ONCE SAID, WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STRUGGLE IN SILENCE, TO FEEL THE PRESSURE OF EXPECTATIONS, TO CARRY BURDENS THAT OTHERS CAN'T SEE.
AND AS KARA G WISELY SAID, WE CAN REBUILD AND RISE STRONGER TO MY FELLOW GRADUATES.
NEVER FORGET WHAT IT TOOK TO GET HERE, OR WHAT YOU'RE BE OR WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF BECOMING NEXT.
YOUR STORY, YOUR STRUGGLE, YOUR VOICE MATTER.
EVERY SACRIFICE LED YOU TO THIS MOMENT.
AS A PROUD CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS AND A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATE, I'M GONNA DEDICATE THIS LAST PART OF MY SPEECH TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.
MY PARENTS CAME TO THIS, THIS COUNTRY WITH NOTHING.
THEY HAVE MANAGED TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO PROVIDE ME WITH EVERYTHING.
MY DREAM IS TO BECOME A LAWYER.
THEIR DREAM WAS FOR MY DREAMS TO COME TRUE.
THEY CARRIED THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD SO MY SIBLINGS AND I WOULDN'T HAVE TO.
THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED ME TO REMIND ME THAT I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT IN LIFE, AS LONG AS I'M WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK TO ACHIEVE IT.
IT DOES NOT ALLUDE ME FOR A SINGLE SECOND THAT SO MUCH BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE COME FROM SO MUCH SACRIFICE IN THEIRS.
LOS
SO STANDING HERE TODAY MEANS I'M NOT JUST REPRESENTING MYSELF, I'M REPRESENTING THEM TO MY PARENTS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS DIPLOMA BELONGS TO YOU JUST AS MUCH AS IT DOES TO ME.
I'M HONORED TO REPRESENT ALL THE HISPANICS WHO SHARE A STORY LIKE MINE.
NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF NOT ONLY MY PARENTS, BUT MY OLDER SISTER, MY OLDEST BROTHER, AND ABOVE ALL, GOD TO EVERY PARENT, SIBLING, GRANDPARENT, TEACHER AND MENTOR, STANDING HERE, THANK YOU.
YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT EMPOWER THOSE OF US GRADUATING TODAY TO VICTORIOUSLY ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND PUT US ON THE PATH TO FUTURE SUCCESS.
GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND KEEP GROWING INTO THE UNIQUE, AMAZING PERSON YOU ARE.
BE THE PERSON YOU ONCE NEEDED FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS.
AND WHEN YOU FACE DARK MOMENTS, STAND BY YOURSELF AND BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY OF HEALING WITH STRENGTH AND GRACE.
MAKE YOUR INNER CHILD PROUD BY CHASING THE DREAMS AND GOALS YOU ONCE DARED TO IMAGINE.
BECAUSE EVEN BACK THEN, YOU WERE NEVER AFRAID TO DREAM BIG.
STEP FORWARD, VICTORIOUSLY WITH YOUR UNSTOPPABLE SPIRIT.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, KAREN, FOR YOUR INSPIRING WORDS AND FOR REPRESENTING THE VOICE AND SPIRIT OF THE CLASS OF 2025.
AS A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION, WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS GIFT, A SMALL GESTURE TO HONOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO TODAY'S CELEBRATION.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING KAREN ONCE MORE FOR HER OUTSTANDING SPEECH.
TURN THAT AROUND SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING DR. GOFF BACK TO THE PODIUM.
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I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT AFTER HEARING KAREN SPEAK, I FEEL LIKE SUCH AN UNDERACHIEVER MAN.SO AT THIS MOMENT, IT'S MY, UH, PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR GUEST SPEAKER TONIGHT.
I HAVE A LITTLE THING TO READ, BUT IT ALMOST SEEMS, UH, INADEQUATE TO READ THIS SCRIPT, WHICH I NEED TO READ BECAUSE YOU NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS.
BUT I'M ABOUT TO INTRODUCE A WOMAN WHO IS SPECIAL, SPECIAL TO ME.
SPECIAL TO THE, THE COLLEGE SPECIAL, TO THE LOW COUNTRY.
I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY IN THE LOW COUNTRY THAT HAS A HEART FOR US, FOR THE LOW COUNTRY AND WHAT WE DO AND OUR HISTORY AS MUCH AS REPRESENTATIVE SHANNON ERICKSON.
IT'S MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR 2025 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, THE HONORABLE SHANNON ERICKSON, A DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVANT COMMUNITY LEADER, AND STEAD PASSED ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION.
REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON HAS SERVED THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITH A DISTINCTION SINCE 20 0 7, REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 1 24 AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.
SHE HAS BEEN A POWERFUL VOICE FOR PROGRESS, LEADING WITH VISION, INTEGRITY, AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
HER LEADERSHIP IS EXTENDED ACROSS SEVERAL, SEVERAL CRITICAL COMMITTEES, INCLUDING WAYS AND MEADS, LABOR COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, MEDICAL, MILITARY, AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
HER WORK CONSISTENTLY REFLECTS HER DEDICATION TO EDUCATION, CHILD WELFARE, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION TO OUR PUBLIC SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ERICKSON BRINGS TO PERSPECTIVE AN EDUCATOR AND AN ENTREPRENEUR IS A FORMER OWNER AND OPERATOR OF MULTIPLE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS HERE IN BUFORT.
SHE UNDERSTANDS THE FOUN, THE FOUNDATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FROM THE EARLIEST YEARS ONWARD.
SHE'S A NATIVE OF FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
SHE EARNED HER BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
HER PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY HAS BEEN DEFINED BY SERVICE TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, THIS REGION, AND THE FUTURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WARMLY MILK WELCOMING OUR 2025 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER REPRESENTATIVE SHANNON ERICKSON.
THAT'S A LOT OF HYPE FOR JUST GETTING OUT THERE AND GETTING THINGS DONE.
AND I'M LOOKING AT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.
GOOD EVENING TO EVERY SINGLE SPECIAL PERSON HERE, GRADUATES.
I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU.
BUT FAMILIES, SUPPORT SYSTEMS, STAFF AND FACULTY AT TCL, THE BOARD, AND QUITE HONESTLY, THE COMMUNITY OF BEAUFORT THAT I KNOW HAS GIVEN MANY OF YOU OPPORTUNITIES TO BE IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN THE WORKFORCE, OUT THERE DOING INTERNSHIPS, HOPEFULLY PARTNERING WITH YOU, AND NOW GONNA EMBRACE YOU IN THE WORKFORCE.
THANK YOU FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE SENATE, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WE TIP OUR HATS AND WE THANK YOU WITH DEEP GRATITUDE.
I DON'T THINK YOU GET ANY MORE PERFECT MOMENT THAN RIGHT HERE.
WE HAPPEN TO BE IN MY HOUSE DISTRICT.
I'M PRETTY PROUD ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR REGION AND YOU ARE READY RIGHT AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR FOR ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE.
WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF THIS AREA AND THE GOOD THINGS.
BUT MOSTLY WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE YOU.
TODAY IS A MILESTONE, A MOMENT THAT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL REMEMBER WITH LOVE.
BUT ALSO DON'T FORGET THE HARD WORK.
DON'T FORGET THE EARLY MORNINGS, THE TIMES YOU SAT TOGETHER LAUGHING AND CRYING.
THE TIMES YOU SAT IN LABS WONDERING WHAT YOU WERE DOING, OR MAYBE WELDING OR FIGURING OUT CODE BUGS OR FINISHING THAT PAPER THAT YOU LEFT TILL THE NIGHT BEFORE.
WHETHER YOU ARE A DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENT LIKE KAREN, CONGRATS.
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THAT'S AMAZING.WHETHER YOU ARE A NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT WHO DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH YOUR LIFE, WHETHER YOU'RE A TRADITIONAL STUDENT, WHETHER YOU'RE NEW TO LOW COUNTRY OR ONE OF OUR BENETS, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU SITTING IN THOSE SEATS.
I KNOW GRADUATION SPEECHES ARE, ARE USUALLY FULL OF CLICHES AND STUFF THAT I'M JUST STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND THAT DIPLOMA.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.
YOU ARE EXACTLY WHAT SOUTH CAROLINA, INDEED THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY NEEDS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN PIECES OF PAPER.
ONLY IF YOU'RE COMING THROUGH THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY, YOU HAVE MORE.
WHILE OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY, IN OUR STATE MIGHT BE POINTING OUT THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG, YOU'RE NOT.
YOU'RE STEPPING UP TO BE FIXERS.
YOU'RE STEPPING UP TO FILL GAPS.
HVAC IS PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROGRAMS. I KNOW BILL BOOLE PERSONALLY CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT PROGRAM GREW FROM A TINY FLEDGLING INTO SOMETHING THE STATE IS SO PROUD OF.
IT MIGHT BE HEALTHCARE, MIGHT BE SOCIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, WHATEVER IT IS.
CYBERSECURITY MARKETING, BUSINESS ACCOUNTING.
YOU HAVE SKILLS, HANDS ON, REAL LIFE, READY TO GO TO WORK SKILLS.
I WANT YOU TO FEEL PROUD ABOUT THAT.
AND HERE'S YOUR FIRST, FIRST PITHY REMINDER.
'CAUSE YOU GOTTA THROW IN SOME OF THESE CLICHES, SORRY, A DEGREE IS GREAT, BUT THE SKILL WILL GET YOU WHERE OTHER PEOPLE CANNOT GO.
AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
SO FOUR YEARS, TWO YEARS, SIX YEARS, THE TIME DOESN'T MATTER.
SOME PEOPLE WILL TAKE A LIFETIME AS LEARNERS.
I BELIEVE IN LIFELONG LEARNING.
WHAT IT TAKES IS A TOOL BELT OR A LAPTOP OR A STETHOSCOPE, MAYBE A SET OF CHEF KNIVES AND A PLAN.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IT TAKES GUTS AND TENACITY.
AND THAT COURAGE, THAT'S PURPOSE AND THAT'S PROGRESS.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS RIGHT NOW,
SO AS YOU STEP INTO THIS NEXT CHAPTER, I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THREE THINGS.
THE FIRST IS, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF SHOWING UP.
BE THE PERSON WHO SHOWS UP EARLY, WORKS LATE, GETS IT DONE, MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
IF YOU CAN DO THAT, IF YOU CAN THINK ABOUT FIXING ENGINES, MANAGING A NETWORK, STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, SHOWING UP RELIABLY WITH INTEGRITY AND PURPOSE PUTS YOU AHEAD OF 80% OF THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD.
EVEN WHEN NOBODY MAKES YOU, YOUR DEGREE ISN'T THE END.
THE WORLD'S MOVING SO FAST, YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP UP.
TECH CHANGES, HEALTHCARE CHANGES, INDUSTRIES CHANGE.
AND THE WINNERS IN THIS WORLD ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ADAPTABLE, BLESSED, OR THEY WHO ARE FLEXIBLE FOR THEY SHALL NOT BREAK.
SO HERE'S YOUR SECOND PITHY LINE.
THE MOST VALUABLE TOOL IN YOUR TOOLBOX IS CURIOSITY.
AS YOU CLIMB, MAYBE ONE DAY YOU'LL OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
MAYBE IT'S AN AUTOMOBILE GARAGE.
MAYBE IT'S A REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
MAYBE YOU'LL RUN A HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT.
UH, MAYBE YOU'LL BE IN IT IT THINK ABOUT HOW IT WAS WHEN YOU WERE WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW AND REACH BACK AND LIFT UP.
GIVE SOMEBODY ELSE THAT LITTLE BIT OF A TUG THAT HOPEFULLY YOU FELT DURING THIS TIME.
YOU ARE WALKING PROOF THAT TECHNICAL EDUCATION WORKS IS MATTERS AND IS RELEVANT IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.
IT'S ABOUT YOU SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT.
SO YOU DON'T NEED A FANCY TITLE TO HAVE THE MEANING OF LIFE.
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YOU JUST NEED A PURPOSE.SO DON'T WAIT FOR THE WORLD TO HAND YOU SOMETHING.
WALK OUT OF HERE TODAY AND BUILD IT.
AND EVERYBODY WHO GOT YOU HERE, THANK YOU.
YOU'VE GOT THE SMARTS AND THE SPIRIT TO GET THINGS DONE.
AND WE'RE WATCHING SOUTH CAROLINA NEEDS YOU AND WE'RE EXPECTING THE BEST.
HAVE A GREAT CAREER CANDIDATES FOR THE CERTIFICATE.
CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE ACCOUNTING.
PATRICK WILLIAM, BOTH CERTIFICATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
MIA BUSH CERTIFICATE IN ARTS UNIVERSITY TRANSFER NOEL ELIZABETH CHISOLM, CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ALANI CRUZ SANTANA, CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
LESLIE JULISA ESCALANTE CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ARIANA TANISHA FIELDS CERTIFICATE IN ARTS, JOSELLE GARCIA, CERTIFICATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SAMARI.
ZARIA ESSENCE GREEN CERTIFICATE IN ARTS, GENERAL EDUCATION.
CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE MEDICAL OFFICE.
ASSISTANT SHAKA, DEANNA JEFFERSON CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
DANIEL JENKINS, CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
KEVIN DAMONE JENKINS CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
[00:50:01]
EMILY HERRERA.DEBRA AND OLAK CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
LENE MILLS CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
KAMARI ZAN MITCHELL, CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
DIANA RIVER DEERA CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
STACEY, EILEEN SANS FLORES, CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
LILY JOCELYN SANCHEZ, CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ACACIA ALICIA TAYLOR, CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CHRISTIAN XAVIER VASQUEZ, CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
DARION ELSA WATTS, CERTIFICATE IN ARTS.
WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DIPLOMA PLEASE RISE MAGDALENE.
NICOLE BURCHART, DIPLOMA AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
KIM KIMBERLY KING DENISON DIPLOMA AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
CAITLYN FASTENAL DIPLOMA AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
LAUREN TAYLOR HARTLEY, DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ALISON R CAVE DIPLOMA AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
EMILY HAYDEN MOBERLY DIPLOMA AND APPLIED SCIENCE COSMETOLOGY.
ANNA MARIA MURPHY DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
MYSIA MURRAY, DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
COSMETOLOGY JORDAN VACCARO QUINLAN DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
MARIZA ROMERO DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
[00:55:06]
WELL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE PLEASE RISE.TAYLOR R ADAMS, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING FIVE THETA KAPPA ZACHARY ALEXANDER ATKINSON ASSOCIATES IN ARTS.
JORDAN GATSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
JOSEPHINE ABEY CABRINA ARAJ, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
AMANDA LEE ADCOX, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
MAGNA C*M LAUDER, ALANIS AND CISO.
ASSOCIATED APPLIED SCIENCE FIVE THEATER C*M LAUDE.
SHIKA BURON, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
CAITLYN ELIZABETH BIGGINS, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
ALLISON BROWN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
LATRICE CIANNA, BROWN ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
RICARDO BRUNO, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
DYLAN ADAM BOYLES, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
TAYLOR COURTNEY BROWN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
TRINITY BROWN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
EMILY MARIELA GANZA, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
MARK ANTHONY BASKERVILLE, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CHLOE AND JUDITH BELL, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
ANNA BARNARD ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE C*M LAUDE.
CAROL BARRIENTOS, ASSOCIATE AND ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE.
NASSIM JAMIL BOND ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
JSA A**L COX ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE C*M LAUDE.
ANGELA MARVIA CURTIS, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
MELVIN DARNELL CAPERS, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
LINCOLN RAY KANE, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
ALANI JANAE CRAWFORD, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
[01:00:02]
MAYA NICOLE CARTER, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS C*M LAUDE.AIDEN JESUS CAMACHO, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CAITLIN EK KREMER, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE SUMMA CU LAUDE.
BRITTANY NICOLE CUSHMAN, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE BY THETA KAPPA.
KAREN QUAR, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
BETTY RUTH CAPPLEMAN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
APRIL ALICIA COOK, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS S BY THETA KAPPA MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
SABRINA AND CHAVEZ, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
JOHN ALLEN CHENEY, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
CHRISTOPHER J CAPRIO, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
MINA LACHE COUNTS ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE.
RANDY DOYLE, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
MAGNA CU LAUDE RODRIGUEZ IDI, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
FLO SHE JOY ESANTE, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE HOSPITALITY TOURISM MANAGEMENT.
NICOLE CHERIE EVERETT, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS PHI THETA KAPPA SUMMA CU LAUDE.
EMILY ELLEN EGAN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CHANTE ELMORE, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ZOE FARLEY, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
SUZETTE L FIELDS ASSOCIATE IN ARTS CU LAUDE.
JASON ALEXANDER FRAZIER, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE C*M LAUDE.
DORIAN ELIZABETH GARZA, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CU LA JASMINE S GREEN ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
ZACHARY AU ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE PHYSICAL THERAPIST, ASSISTANT ISIS ALEXIS GUERRERO, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.
LILA CAROLINE GAINEY, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE HOSPITALITY TOURISM MANAGEMENT.
AMBER MICHELLE GONZALEZ, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY.
[01:05:01]
MARIANNE HUTA, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.SUMMA CU LA ALEXIS BRIANNA HOUSIE, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE.
FAITH HOWELL ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
NYLA SERENITY HARRIMAN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
MELISSA ANN HOWLING CRANE ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
AMARIA VALENCIA JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CAMERON LORENZO, JUDGE, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE.
DAVID V. JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
ABIGAIL JUSTICE ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
PRECIOUS TAISHA JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
JUSTIN JAMAL JENKINS, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
BRUNSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.
FIVE THETA KAPPA MAGNA CU LAU.
EMMA LYNN QUI ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.
ADAM DANIEL CHROME, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE CYBERSECURITY MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
CHRISTINA MARIA KIM, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE C*M LAUDE.
NATHAN GIBSON KELLY ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY NETWORKING.
DOMINIQUE KAKI, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
ANNA CHRISTINA LABOY, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
SHIRLEY YVETTE LEE, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION COM LAW.
SOPHIA SABINA LOPEZ, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE GENERAL TECHNOLOGY.
JOANNA LYNN, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
FREDDY LAWTON III, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
GISELLE AALIYAH MARTINEZ, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS C*M LAUDE.
JAMES THOMAS MASON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
FIVE THETA KAPPA MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
ADRIAN MCFALL, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE C*M LAUDE.
[01:10:02]
III, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE CYBERSECURITY C*M LAUDE.MAJOR ASSOCIATE IN ARTS PHI THETA KAPPA MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
MITCHELL THOMAS MORIARTY, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE MAGNA C*M LAUDE.
KIMBERLY RENEE MOODY RIBS ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.
BRYSON FATE MOORE ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.
VICTORIA ALEXIS MURPHY, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE BAKING AND PASTRY.
REMY XAVIER POIN ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
CHRISTINE MCLAUGHLIN, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
HANNAH PERRYMAN, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST, ASSISTANT CIARA JOY PHILLIPS ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
NADIA OPHELIA PETERSON, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS C*M LAUDE.
ASEA PELLEGRINO, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
JACOB THOMAS PRESTON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PATHWAY.
CLAUDIO CLAUDIO RODAS, BODNER, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
MARINA ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST, ASSISTANT ESRI CELESTINA RUIZ, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE BY THETA KAPPA BRAYTON ALLEN ROGERS, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE PARALEGAL.
MARIA PAULINA RAMIREZ, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, GENERAL EDUCATION AND BUSINESS.
JAMIE RUSSELL RT, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE PARALEGAL.
OLIVIA RICHARDSON, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.
MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT TRISTAN A ROBERTS ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
FAYE RY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS C*M LAUDE.
CARMELA S RAMIREZ, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
CATHERINE JEAN REYNOLDS, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
[01:15:05]
JASMINE SANCHEZ, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE GENERAL TECHNOLOGY.KATIE NICOLE SPELL ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TECHNOLOGY.
AMANDA RAY SHEERAN, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.
DARIEN SHEPHERD, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.
KIM D STONE ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE GENERAL TECHNOLOGY.
PATRICK S SUTCLIFFE, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
GIANNA KOLTON, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
VALENTINA SERIAL DIAZ ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.
ETTE VALENCIA ELLO SINO, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
IKA STALEY, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
BRYSON AIDEN SANTIAGO, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
SAVANNAH SAMPSON SHAW ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
CORTLAND TAYLOR, ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING BY THETA KAPPA.
A BRIA THOMPSON ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE NURSING.
MONTSERRAT TRUJILLO, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS C*M LAUDE.
DEANA MICHELLE VASQUEZ, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE MAGNA CU LAUDE.
TYLER RICHARD VAN CAMP ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
CHARLOTTE R VANDEN VILLE ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
MARCY DEAN WILLIAMS ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY.
COLIN MICHAEL WILSON, ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY C*M LAUDE.
LAUREN WOOD ASSOCIATE AND APPLIED SCIENCE BAKING AND PEG STREET C*M LAUDE.
[01:20:02]
ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, GENERAL EDUCATION AND BUSINESS C*M LAUDE.ALANA SKY, WASHINGTON ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, GENERAL EDUCATION AND BUSINESS.
KIRSTEN M WILDE, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS.
JOCELYN MARIE YOUNG ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY.
WELL THE CANDIDATES FOR CERTIFICATE PLEASE RISE.
THESE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED ALL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FACULTY.
I AM HAPPY TO PRESENT THEM TO YOU AT THIS TIME IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT PREFER UPON THEM THE CERTIFICATE.
WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DIPLOMA PLEASE RISE? PRESIDENT GOFF.
THESE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED ALL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FACULTY.
I AM HAPPY TO PRESENT THEM TO YOU AT THIS TIME IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT CONFER UPON THEM THE DIPLOMA.
PLEASE SIT FOR WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE.
THESE STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED ALL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FACULTY.
I AM HAPPY TO PRESENT THEM TO YOU AT THIS TIME IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT CONFER UPON THEM THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE.
WILL ALL GRADUATES PLEASE RISE? THANK YOU.
THE FACULTY OF THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY HAS RECOMMENDED THAT EACH OF YOU SHALL RECEIVE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE, A DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE IN YOUR MAJOR FIELD.
BY THE VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, I CONFER UPON EACH OF YOU THE AWARD FOR WHICH YOU QUALIFY ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES, HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITIES, WHICH BELONG TO THE HOLDERS OF THESE AWARDS.
SO JUST TO MAKE IT ALL OFFICIAL, WILL YOU ALL PLEASE TAKE THAT TASSEL AND MOVE IT FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.
UH, IF YOU'LL JUST TAKE A SEAT FOR ONE MORE MINUTE.
I'M GONNA ASK MR. SCOTT GIBBS TO COME UP AND SING THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOW COUNTRY ALMA MATER.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN IN WITH HIM.
MR. GIBBS, SHOULD WE STAND FOR THIS? I, I DUNNO.
[01:27:41]
CONGRATULATIONS.I KNOW Y'ALL ARE READY TO GET OUT OF HERE AND GO CELEBRATE WITH ALL RIGHT.
IN SCRIPTURE, THE BLESSING WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF A NEW SEGMENT OF A PERSON'S LIFE.
SO TONIGHT FOR THE BENEDICTION, I WOULD LIKE TO PRONOUNCE A BLESSING UPON ALL THE GRADUATES HERE TONIGHT.
MAY THE PATH YOU WALK LEAD TO SUCCESS AND THE ROADS YOU TRAVEL BE FILLED WITH EXPERIENCES LEAD TO GROWTH.
MAY YOUR ENDEAVORS BE PROSPEROUS AND YOUR EFFORTS REWARDED WITH FULFILLMENT.
MAY YOUR SAYERS BE FEW, BUT RATHER YOUR LIES FILLED WITH THE LOVED ONES WHO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE YOUR BEST.
AND MAY THE LORD OF HOSTS HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND UNTIL THE DAY WE SHALL MEET AGAIN.
[01:32:04]
C FORT FREMONT CLOSES OUT A 350 YEAR LEGACY OF COASTAL FORTIFICATIONS IN PORT ROYAL SOUND BEGINNING IN THE MID 16TH CENTURY.
IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE CLOSING CHAPTER OF AMERICA'S COASTAL DEFENSE SYSTEM BEFORE THE DAWN OF AIR POWER.
PORT FREMONT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE MOST ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY OF ITS TIME.
IT WOULD PARALLEL THE B 17 AND AIRCRAFT CARRIER OF WORLD WAR II, THE F 35 OF TODAY.
FORT FREMONT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BEAUFORT CULTURE, VERY SIMILAR TO PARIS ISLAND AND THE MARINE CORPS AIR BASE.
TODAY IN 1525, THE SPANIARDS NAMED THIS SOUND AND THIS HARBOR, SANTA ELENA, THEY CALLED THE NAVIGATIONAL POINT, LA PUNTE DE SANTA ELENA, THE POINT OF SANTA ELENA.
AND WHAT THE SPANISH EXPLORERS DISCOVERED IS THAT PORT ROYAL SOUND IS A UNIQUE PIECE OF GEOGRAPHY.
IT'S THE DEEPEST NATURAL HARBOR SOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, POSSIBLY SOUTH OF NEW YORK, THE CHANNEL INTO PORT ROYAL SOUND.
THIS I FIND A REMARKABLE GEOLOGICAL FACT.
THE CHANNEL, UH, HAS NOT CHANGED FOR 500 YEARS.
THERE'S NO INLET ON THE SOUTHERN COAST THAT HASN'T SHIFTED ENTIRELY IN 500 YEARS EXCEPT PORT ROYAL SOUTH.
THERE'S SOMETHING GEOLOGICALLY DIFFERENT, OR ONE MIGHT SAY MAGICAL ABOUT PORT ROYAL SOUTH.
SO SPANISH SAILORS BEING THE BEST IN THE WORLD IN THEIR TIME, FOUND THIS PLACE VERY EARLY, KNEW THAT FOR THE SPANISH EXPLORATIONS, THE AMERICAN SOUTHEAST, THIS WOULD BE THE ENTRATA, THE ENTRANCE.
AND SO THEY BUILT A CITY ACROSS THE RIVER, UH, ACROSS THE SOUND FROM WHERE WE ARE ON PARIS ISLAND THAT BECAME THE FIRST CAPITAL OF FLORIDA.
AND THEY EXPLORED THE BACK COUNTRY FROM THIS LOCATION FOR, UH, MORE THAN A CENTURY WITH THE OBJECT OF BUILDING A HIGHWAY FROM THIS MAGNIFICENT HARBOR TO MEXICO CITY.
SO THE SOUND WAS KNOWN TO THE SPANIARDS, IT WAS KNOWN TO THE FRENCH WHO ACTUALLY GOT HERE FIRST AND FOLLOWED AND CREATED THE FIRST PROTESTANT COLONY IN THE NEW WORLD ON PARIS ISLAND OVER MY SHOULDER.
UM, AND THAT COLONY WAS A FAILURE.
IT WAS PART OF SPANISH, FLORIDA WHEN THE ENGLISH ARRIVED 150 YEARS LATER.
AND THIS WAS BECAME, AS A CONSEQUENCE, A BATTLEGROUND IN THE 18TH CENTURY BETWEEN SPANISH INTERESTS
[01:35:01]
IN FLORIDA AND ST.AUGUSTINE AND THE ENGLISH COLONY IN CAROLINA AND IN CHARLESTON AND BACK AND FORTH.
THESE WARS WENT, MANY OF THEM NAVAL WARS, MANY OF THEM EMPLOYING AS ALL THE SAILORS KNEW BY THEN THE MAGIC OF PORT ROYAL SOUND.
WHEN THE CIVIL WAR CAME, CONFEDERATES DEFENDED THE, UH, HARBOR, BUT IT WAS BASICALLY INDEFENSIBLE AGAINST, UH, LARGE NAVAL FORCES.
SO THE US NAVY MADE IT THEIR PRINCIPLE TARGET DURING THE BE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR AND SENT THE LARGEST FLOTILLA OF SHIPS, UM, ASSEMBLED BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN THE 19TH CENTURY INTO PORT ROYAL SOUND.
ON NOVEMBER, NOVEMBER 7TH, 1861.
IN A FOUR HOUR CANNON AID, WHICH WOULD'VE BEEN DEAFENING FROM WHERE WE'RE SITTING, WAS HEARD FROM MILES FROM SAVANNAH, NEARLY TO CHARLESTON.
IT WAS CALLED THE DAY OF THE BIG GUN SHOOT.
DURING THE CIVIL WAR, THIS HARBOR THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WAS FILLED WITH SHIPS.
THERE WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF SHIPS IN THIS HARBOR.
THERE WAS A THOUSAND FOOT, UH, DOCK WITH A RAILROAD ON TOP OFF OF HILTON HEAD.
UM, THE MILITARY INSTALLATION WAS MAMMOTH.
THERE WERE 13,000 US SOLDIERS ON HILTON HEAD, WHICH WE'RE LOOKING AT THE LARGEST POPULATION ON HILTON HEAD UNTIL 1974.
SO THIS WAS A MAJOR US GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH.
IT WAS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE US ARMY DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WAS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.
SO THE BIGGEST SHIPS IN THE NAVY WERE HERE.
AND, UM, SO IT, IT BECAME, AND AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE STORY OF FREIGHT.
FORT FREMONT STARTS WITH THAT HUGE CIVIL WAR MILITARY, UH, OPERATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS, UM, ON HILTON HEAD, ON ST.
HELENA ISLAND, ON PARIS ISLAND.
AND IN BEAUTIFUL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, WE'RE GONNA SEE A MASSIVE CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGY THAT'S GONNA REVOLUTIONIZE THE MILITARY.
DURING THE CIVIL WAR, WE HAD IRONCLAD SHIPS, WE HAD RIFLE CANNONS, BUT THEY WERE ALL MADE OUT OF IRON AND THEY WERE NOT TERRIBLY EFFECTIVE.
BUT ITS TECHNOLOGY'S GONNA CHANGE.
AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, WE'RE GONNA SEE STEEL PRODUCED, AND STEEL IS MUCH HARDER.
SO NOW WE HAVE A NEW MATERIAL TO MAKE ARMOR OUT OF FOR SHIPS.
SO WE CAN HAVE THESE ARMORED SHIPS MADE WITH STEEL IN A MUCH MORE RESISTANCE TO SHOT.
AND BECAUSE I HAVE STEEL, I CAN MAKE, UH, STRONGER BARRELS FOR MY GUNS.
UH, I CAN RIFLE AND MACHINE THESE MUCH BETTER.
AND THE RIFLING IS THE SPIRALS THAT ARE CUT IN THE BARREL THAT ALLOWS IT TO SHOOT FURTHER WITH MORE ACCURACY.
AND WE CAN ALSO NOW HAVE BREACH LOADING GUNS THAT CAN LOCK FROM BEHIND.
SO I CAN LOAD MY GUN FROM BEHIND.
I DON'T HAVE TO GO HAVE THE OLD BLACK POWDER MUZZLE LOADING CANNON I HAD BEFORE.
NOW I CAN FIRE MUCH MORE RAPIDLY.
IF I COMPARE THE GUN OF, UH, 1890 TO THE GUNS OF 1860, UH, FOR THE SAME CALIBER, THE SAME DIAMETER GUN, UH, THE 1890 GUN WILL BE ABLE TO FIRE PROJECTILE AS FOUR TIMES HEAVIER, CAN SHOOT IT THREE TIMES FURTHER, CAN PUT IT IN WITH GREATER PRECISION, AND CAN PUT IT THROUGH MUCH MORE ARMOR THAN ANYTHING WE HAD IN 1860S.
A MILITARY HISTORIAN, ER LEWIS WOULD SAY THAT THE CHANGE BETWEEN THE CIVIL WAR IN 1890 AND ARTILLERY TECHNOLOGY WAS THE GREATEST THAT WOULD BE SEEN SINCE INVENTION OF ARTILLERY IN THE 14TH CENTURY TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NUCLEAR PROJECTILE IN THE 1950S.
SO THERE'S BEEN A HUGE CHANGE IN GUN TECHNOLOGY AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S NOT JUST THE STEEL, BUT ALSO THE POWDER THAT FIRES THESE GUNS IS DIFFERENT.
WE'RE HAVING NEW CHEMICAL MAKEUP AND SORT OF LIKE CORDITE IS INVENTED NOW, AND IT'S STILL A WIDELY USED MILITARY EXPLOSIVE.
SMOKELESS POWDER IS INVENTED DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME.
AND IT'S NOT JUST CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, BUT IT'S THE DETAILS OF HOW YOU MAKE THE GRAIN, HOW FAST THEY BURN.
SO MUCH LIKE THE SKILL OF FIRING A SOLID ROCKET, UM, SOLID FUEL, UM, ROCKET.
IT'S THAT SAME KIND OF TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THESE, UH, GUNPOWDER, IN THIS NEW POWDER.
SO OUR WEAPONS OF THIS DAY ARE, ARE MUCH, MUCH GREATER.
UM, THEY WOULD BE THE GREAT KILLING MACHINES IN WORLD WAR I.
MOST OF THE CASUALTIES ON THE BATTLEFIELDS WORLD WAR I WOULD COME FROM ARTILLERY.
SO THE WORLD HAS SEEN A HUGE CHANGE IN ARTILLERY, AND THAT'S TIED INTO CHANGES IN SHIPS.
WE NOW HAVE STEEL ARMORED SHIPS.
THEY'RE ALL, UH, STEAM POWERED.
THEY ARE NOW EQUIPPED WITH THESE FINE LONG RANGE GUNS, AND THEY NOW BECOME THE DOMINANT THREAT OF THE LATE 19TH, EARLY 20TH CENTURY.
THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WOULD BOMBARD CITIES LIKE CAIRO AND REDUCE THEM TO RUBBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DEFEND THEM.
SO THIS IS HOW THE WORLD WAS SEEING THE THREAT FROM THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY.
BIG BATTLESHIPS ARE THE THREAT OF THE ERA, AND NEW GUNS AND FORTIFICATIONS ON, UH, THE GROUND ARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO DEFEND AGAINST THEM.
[01:40:04]
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND FIRST THINGS THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR IS THEY BUILT A RAILROAD TO PORT ROYAL SOUND, WHICH DIDN'T EXIST.IT WAS THE FIRST CONNECTION OF THE SEA ISLANDS TO THE MAINLAND.
THE ADVANTAGE OF THAT RAILROAD IS IT BROUGHT COAL TO PORT, ROYAL SOUND.
SO WHEN THE COAL WAS DELIVERED, THE NAVY FOLLOW IN 1872, ROBERT SMALLS WAS IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE AND HE PUSHED THROUGH A RESOLUTION TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR CALLING FOR THEM TO PUT A NAVY STATION ON PARIS ISLAND.
AND EVENTUALLY HE WOULD GO ON TO CONGRESS WHERE HE WOULD CONTINUE HIS SUPPORT FOR A NAVY STATION HERE IN THE BEAUFORT PORT OIL AREA.
THEY EVENTUALLY OPENED A NAVY STATION HERE AND A COALING STATION THEY CREATED IN THE 1890S ON PARAS ISLAND, THE LARGEST DRY DOCK IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS IS THE PERIOD WHEN THE US NAVY WAS SWITCHING FROM SAIL TO STEAM.
ALL THE NAVIES OF THE WORLD NEED COALING STATION.
THIS WAS THE PRINCIPLE COALING STATION BECAUSE THE RAILROAD FOR THE CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN US FLEETS, THIS WOULD BE THE BIGGEST DRY DOCK SOUTH OF NORFOLK.
IN FACT, IT IS THE ONLY DRY DOCK SOUTH OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA THAT'S CAPABLE OF TAKING THESE NEW MODERN BATTLESHIPS AND THESE NEW MODERN ARMORED CRUISERS.
SO THIS BECOMES, AT THIS POINT, A STRATEGIC NAVY BASIN THAT IT PROVIDES COAL AND IT PROVIDES, UH, TOP LINE SUPPORT TO THE SHIPS AND THEY CAN REPAIR THE HULLS OF EVEN THE BIGGEST SHIPS IN THE US NAVY.
FOLLOWING THE CIVIL WAR, NATIONAL STRATEGY AND EMPHASIS IN THE UNITED STATES SHIFTED FROM TO RECOVERY FROM WAR, AND ALL OF OUR COASTAL FORTIFICATIONS WENT INTO NEGLECT.
THE MILITARY WAS BUSY TAMING THE WEST, AND COASTAL DEFENSES, UH, BECAME SOMETHING THAT WAS NO LONGER IMPORTANT.
AND THE REST OF THE WORLD, TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING FORWARD AND THEY'RE DEVELOPING THESE BATTLESHIPS.
THEY'RE DEVELOPING NEW, UH, HIGH QUALITY ARTILLERY.
AND THIS IS GOING ON WORLDWIDE.
AND IN 1885, PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND APPOINTED ENDICOTT BOARD, THIS WAS SEC HEADED BY SECRETARY WAR ENDICOTT, WILLIAM ENDICOTT.
AND THE BOARD WOULD MEET AND ISSUE A REPORT IN 1886.
AND THEY SAID THE CONDITIONS OF OUR COASTAL DEFENSES WERE JUST UNBEARABLE.
IT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY LIKE THAT.
AND THEY MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FORTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENTS.
IDENTIFIED 29 PLACES THAT NEEDED FORTIFICATIONS, AND 11 OF WHICH WERE CRITICAL IN THAT LIST OF 29.
SAVANNAH AND CHARLESTON ARE ON THE LIST, BUT BEAUFORT IS NOT ON THE LIST.
IT'LL TAKE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS TO BRING BEAUFORT INTO THE PLAY OF, OF MODERN FORT TECHNOLOGY.
SO THE USS MAINE WAS HERE ON PATROL AND IN THE HARBOR, AND WHILE THEY WERE IN THE HARBOR, SEVERAL TIMES THEY ENTERTAINED THE LOCAL POPULATION.
SO THE MERCHANTS AND THE SOCIAL LEADERS AND THE POLITICAL LEADERS OF BEAUFORT WERE INVITED TO COME HAVE LUNCH WITH THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP.
AND THE OFFICERS GOT TO KNOW THE PEOPLE.
THE PEOPLE GOT TO KNOW THE OFFICERS, THE CREW WHICH WAS LARGE, WOULD GO ASHORE ON PAYDAY AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH EVERYBODY IN TOWN.
SO IT WAS A VERY SOCIAL, UM, ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNS, PORT ROYAL AND BEAUFORT AND THE SHIP.
SO THE MAIN LEFT HERE, IT WENT AND REPROVISION, IT REFUELED IN KEY WEST AND THEN WENT TO 90 MILES ACROSS TO HAVANA INTO THE HARBOR AND BLEW UP THIS INFLAMED.
THE ALREADY, UH, HOT PASSIONS BOTH IN CUBA AND HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AT THAT POINT, SOMEBODY IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT REALIZED THAT WE HAD THIS BIG DRY DOCK, THE ONLY DRY DOCK IN THE SOUTH THAT COULD TAKE ON AND REPAIR THESE BIG CAPITAL SHIPS THAT WERE IN OUR NAVY.
WE WERE GOING TO START OPERATIONS AGAINST A POWER IN THE CARIBBEAN.
AND THIS FORT WAS TOTALLY UNDEFENDED, AND THAT'S WHAT PUT FORT FREMONT ON THE MAP.
WE HAD TO HAVE A FORT HERE TO DEFEND THE COALING STATION, AND ESPECIALLY THIS BIG DRY DOCK, AS WELL AS THIS FINE HARBOR THAT'S HERE.
AND OF COURSE, THAT EVENT, WHICH KILLED 300 OR MORE SAILORS ON THE SHIP, UM, WAS VERY MUCH FOLLOWED BY THE LOCAL NEWS MEDIA AND VERY MUCH LAMENTED BY THE MANY FRIENDS THAT THE CREW HAD MADE HERE.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE USS MAINE WAS A PERSONAL MATTER TO BEAUFORT AND TO PORT ROYAL SOUND.
UM, AND OF COURSE IT WAS THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR AND THE ATTEMPT TO DEFEND THIS HARBOR AGAIN, WHICH LED TO THE, THE CREATION OF FORT FREMONT.
THE UNITED STATES DECLARED WAR ON SPAIN IN, IN APRIL, 1898.
AND BY EARLY MAY, WE HAD TEMPORARY BATTERIES IN PLACE HERE, SUBMARINE MINES
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WERE IN PLACE, AND IN THE SUMMER, THEY WOULD ACTUALLY PLACE THE MINES ACROSS THE BEAUFORT RIVER.THE TEMPORARY BATTERIES WERE A TEMPORARY EXPEDIENT.
THEY WERE LOCATED TO MY LEFT ABOUT A THOUSAND YARDS.
THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN CONSTRUCTION OF WHAT WOULD BECOME FORT FREMONT.
THE LARGE BATTERIES WOULD HOUSE A LARGE GUNS BATTERY FOR N THE RAPID FIRE GUNS.
THE SMALLER BATTERY WAS COMPLETED BY JUNE OF 1898.
IN THE 1898, EVERYBODY IN TOWN WENT TO WAR.
UM, THEY HAD A NAVAL MILITIA UNIT, SOUTH CAROLINA NAVAL MILITIA UNIT, AND THEY WERE ABSORBED BY THE NAVY.
UH, MANY OF THEM RAN TUGBOATS FROM HERE TO NEW YORK TO KEY WEST, WHICH WAS THE PRINCIPAL SUPPORT BASE, TAMPA AND KEY WEST FOR THE US ARMY OPERATIONS IN CUBA.
PEACE WAS DECLARED BY THE END OF 1898 AND THE, UH, REMAINDER OF FORT FREMONT WOULD NOT BE FINISHED UNTIL EARLY 1899, AND THE FIRST SOLDIERS WOULD ARRIVE FROM THE REGULAR ARMY AT THAT POINT IN MARCH, 1899.
WELL, FORT FREMONT WAS NAMED FOR, UH, MAJOR GENERAL JOHN FREMONT.
UH, HE WAS ACTUALLY A LOCAL BOY, SO TO SPEAK.
UH, HE WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN, UH, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, JUST, UH, SOUTH OF US.
AND, UH, WENT TO, UH, COLLEGE IN THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, UH, UP JUST NORTH OF US IN CHARLESTON.
HE SERVED IN THE ARMY AND, UH, PRIMARILY INITIALLY AS A, UH, EXPLORER, AS ARMY FORTS WERE GENERALLY NAMED FOR ARMY OFFICERS.
UH, AND HE WAS, UH, CONNECTED LOCALLY.
UH, THIS WAS, UH, MORE THAN LIKELY WHY THE FORT WAS NAMED FOR HIM.
THE FORT WAS CONSTRUCTED ON A SITE, UH, DIRECTLY ACROSS THE RIVER FROM, UH, THE PARIS ISLAND, UH, UH, NAVAL STATION.
AND THE SITE SELECTED WAS 170 ACRES, WHICH INCLUDED THE TWO, UH, ARTILLERY, UH, BATTERIES.
UH, FORT UH, FREMONT, OF COURSE HAD BATTERY FOREIGNNESS AND BATTERY JESSUP.
UH, BUT THEN ADJACENT TO THE BATTERY SITE WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE QUADRANGLE, A VERY TYPICAL MILITARY TYPE, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE SQUARE.
UH, WE ARE SITTING IN THE NUMBER THREE GUN POSITION OF A THREE GUN BATTERY BATTERY JESSUP, WHICH HAD THREE 10 INCH DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE, LARGE CALIBER GUNS BREACH LOADING GUNS.
THEIR PURPOSE WAS TO, UH, ENGAGE THE WARSHIPS THAT MIGHT, UH, BE ENTERING THE HARBOR, UH, AND PORT ROYAL SOUND.
WE'RE HERE NOW AT THE SECOND BATTERY, UH, THAT WAS PART OF FORT FREMONT.
THIS IS BATTERY FOR NANCE, UH, WAS NAMED FOR, UH, ARMY OFFICER, UH, THAT WAS ACTUALLY KILLED DURING THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR.
UH, DURING THE BATTLE OF SAN JUAN HILL, UH, BATTERY FOR MOUNTED TWO, UH, BRITISH MADE 4.72 INCH ARMSTRONG QUICKFIRE GUNS.
UH, THEY WERE CALLED QUICKFIRE BECAUSE THEY LOADED, UH, WERE LOADED WITH A COMPLETE CARTRIDGE AND IT, UH, IN TIME OF ACTION, THEY COULD FIRE FOUR TO SIX ROUNDS PER MINUTE.
THE PURPOSE OF BATTERY FOR NANCE WAS TO DEFEND THE MINE FIELD, WHICH WAS THE OTHER COMPONENT OF THE ENDICOTT COAST ARTILLERY OR OR COAST DEFENSE SYSTEM.
UH, A MINEFIELD, UH, WITH CONTROLLED MINES.
CONTROLLED MEANING THAT THEY WERE CONNECTED ELECTRICALLY TO SHORE AND COULD BE FIRED ON COMMAND FROM SHORE.
THAT, UH, CONTROL STATION WOULD'VE BEEN, UH, PROBABLY SHARED WITH THE PLOTTING ROOM.
AND IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE MINE FIELD, OBVIOUSLY AN ENEMY WOULD WANT TO INTERFERE WITH THAT.
MIGHT SEND VESSELS, UH, SMALL SHIPS IN HERE AT NIGHT TO TRY TO INTERFERE.
AND THIS BATTERY WOULD TAKE THOSE VESSELS UNDER FIRE IF THERE WAS SOME, UH, THERE WAS SUSPECTED THAT, UH, UH, THEY WERE DOING SOMETHING TO INTERFERE WITH THE MINES, SUCH AS, UH, PULLING UP THE CABLES AND CUTTING THOSE.
THE INDIGO ERA FORT WAS A FORMIDABLE TECHNOLOGY.
IT REPRESENTED STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY, DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY OF ITS TIME AGAINST THE STATE OF THE ART THREAT, WHICH WOULD BE THE BATTLESHIP.
THE LIFE FOR THE SOLDIERS AT FORT FREMONT WAS DISCIPLINED AND REGIMENTED.
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SPECIFIED LENGTHS OF TIME, 15 MINUTES FOR LUNCH, 15 MINUTES AT BREAKFAST, 20 MINUTES AT SUPPER.THEY HAD TO PRACTICE THEIR SKILLS.
THEY WERE TRAINING AND DOING MAINTENANCE CONSTANTLY, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH THESE BIG GUNS.
THEY HAD TO HAVE SKILLS IN, IN PRACTICE SKILLS, IN ARTILLERY MIND, LAYING SIGNALING, WHICH INVOLVED IN OUR CASE AT FORT FREMONT, THE USE OF THE FIRE CONTROL TOWER, WHICH WAS A PRETTY SOPHISTICATED AND, UM, ADVANCED SIGNALING TECHNIQUE.
THEN THEY ALSO HAD TO, UM, PRACTICE THE TYPICAL MILITARY SKILLS, MARCHING AND DRILLING, SMALL ARMS, FIRE, FIRST AID, AND SO FORTH.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY ALSO, UM, HAD PARTICIPATED IN ATHLETICS.
THEY HAD PHYSICAL TRAINING, PT, AND THEY ALSO HAD SPORTS TEAMS. SO THIS WAS TO KEEP THEM PHYSICALLY FIT SO THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE THEIR, THEIR DUTIES BECAUSE THEY WERE, IT WAS PRETTY RIGOROUS AT FORT FREMONT.
WHEN EVENTUALLY THE DECISION WAS MADE TO MOVE A DRY DOCK AND THE COALING STATION AND THE NAVY STATION UP TO CHARLESTON, THEN THIS FORT NO LONGER BECAME SIGNIFICANT.
THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT HERE THAT WAS TO BE PROTECTED.
AND AT THAT POINT, 1911, THE LAST TROOPS WERE TRANSFERRED OUT.
AND FORT WAS CLOSED IN 1901, THE MAYOR OF CHARLESTON AND THE UNITED STATES SENATOR PITCHFORK, BEN TILLMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, WANTED THIS TO MOVE FROM BEAUFORT COUNTY TO CHARLESTON COUNTY 'CAUSE THERE ARE MORE VOTES IN CHARLESTON COUNTY.
AND THE MAYOR WANTED THE US CORPS OF ENGINEERS THAN IN THE NAVY TO DREDGE THE HARBOR IN CHARLESTON.
'CAUSE BATTLESHIPS IN THOSE DAYS REQUIRED 26 FEET OF WATER.
CHARLESTON'S NATURAL HARBOR IS 15 FEET OF WATER.
PORT ROYAL IS 30 FEET OF WATER.
IN ORDER FOR CHARLESTON TO SUSTAIN ITS PORT, ITS COMMERCIAL PORT, IT HAD TO DREDGE THE HARBOR.
WELL, IF THEY COULD GET THE NAVY UP THERE, THEY GET THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO DRUDGE THE HARBOR.
AND THE, UH, THE PLAY FOR PITCHFORK, BEN TILLMAN, THE US SENATOR IN 1900 WAS THAT HE'D GET A WHOLE LOT MORE VOTES FROM VOTES FROM THE LARGEST CITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
SO IT WAS A POLITICAL COMMERCIAL OPERATION, AND THEY MOVED THE NATION AND IT WAS DONE, BOOM, LIKE THAT.
THE FORT DID ITS JOB, A DETERRENT FOR ANYBODY THAT WISHED TO ATTACK THESE.
IN FACT, THE WHOLE INDICO SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH NEVER CHALLENGED IN, UH, THIS ERA HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, PROVIDED SOME 300 MAJOR GUNS, COASTAL GUNS, TO PRO, UH, PROTECT MAJOR AREAS AND LEFT THE UNITED STATES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY WITH AS WELL DEFENDED, UH, COASTLINE AS ANY PLACE IN, IN THE WORLD.
BUT I, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S A MAGNIFICENT ARTIFACT OF AN ERA, AND IT'S AN ERA THAT HAS BEEN NEGLECTED, UH, THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY, UM, THE NAVAL STATION ACROSS THE RIVER HERE.
AND, UM, SO IT'S A, IT'S A PIECE OF HISTORY THAT'S DISAPPEARING AND THE FRIENDS OF FORT FREMONT AND BEAUFORT COUNTY HAVE PRESERVED IT BEFORE THE USE OF THE PUBLIC.
AND, UH, AS A MEMORIAL TO THAT MOMENT IN HISTORY, FORT FREMONT CLOSES A 350 YEAR STORY OF HOMELAND SECURITY ADDRESSING EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM IN THE 19TH CENTURY.
IT'S A TALE OF HOW GEOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, AND NATIONAL SECURITY CREATES A TRANSITION FOR AMERICA TO BECOME A GLOBAL POWER.
IT'S ALSO A WONDERFUL SNAPSHOT OF AMERICA.
IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THE FRIENDS OF FORT FREMONT AND BEAUFORT COUNTY HAVE A VALUED PARTNERSHIP WORKING IN TANDEM TO PRESERVE THE FORT'S INTEGRITY AND PROMOTE THE HISTORICAL, NATURAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE FORT.
MOST IMPORTANT, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.
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MAY 24TH, 1995, ALONG COTTON HALL ROAD IN YEE, THE BODY OF A WOMAN WAS FOUND IN A DITCH WEARING NOTHING BUT A PAIR OF PANTIES.AN AUTOPSY REVEALED THE WOMAN HAD BEEN DEAD FOR A DAY OR TWO, THE CAUSE OF DEATH.
STRANGULATION INVESTIGATORS KNEW COTTON HALL ROAD WASN'T WHERE SHE WAS MURDERED, BUT DUMPED TO LIKELY NEVER BE FOUND WITH LITTLE EVIDENCE.
THE UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN'S PHOTO TAKEN DURING AN AUTOPSY WAS DISTRIBUTED IN HOPES OF LEARNING HER NAME.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER, SHERIFF PJ TANNER TASKS AN INVESTIGATOR BOB BROMAGE WITH LOOKING INTO THE AGENCY'S COLD CASES.
THIS CASE, UH, CLEARLY WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO IDENTIFY HER.
SO WE, WE TRIED NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS JUST OUTSIDE THE BOX, IDEAS AND, YOU KNOW, USING INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA, UM, LOOKING THROUGH DATABASES OF, OF MISSING PERSONS.
BUT WE NEVER FOUND HER AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED.
THE UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN'S DNA WAS ENTERED INTO VARIOUS DATABASES WITH THE HOPES OF A MATCH.
IN 2020, IT WAS SENT TO PARABON NANOLABS, A COMPANY LEVERAGING THE POWER OF DNA FORENSICS AND GENETIC GENEALOGY.
PARABON HAD SOME SUCCESS NATIONALLY WHEN THE GOLDEN STATE KILLER WAS CAUGHT THROUGH GENEALOGY RESEARCH THAT WAS INCREDIBLE.
IT'S ANOTHER TOOL AND IT'S ANOTHER NEWER TECHNOLOGY, AND WE DECIDED TO GIVE IT A SHOT.
THE MATCH WAS BETTER THAN 99%.
SHE WAS IDENTIFIED AS MARIA TEIS GONZALEZ.
SHE WAS 36 YEARS OLD, A MOTHER OF THREE, A WIFE.
SHE HAD DISAPPEARED FROM A KISSIE FLORIDA HOME IN MAY OF 1995, BUT NEVER REPORTED MISSING.
INVESTIGATORS TRAVELED TO FLORIDA INTERVIEWING MARIA'S HUSBAND, CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
DURING THE INTERVIEWS, IT WAS LEARNED THAT MARIA HAD RETURNED FROM PUERTO RICO FROM VISITING HER FAMILY.
ON THE NIGHT BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED, SHE CAME BACK WITH A SUITCASE, STAYED THE NIGHT AT THE FAMILY HOME, WAS PRESENT IN THE HOME WITH THE HUSBAND.
WHEN THE CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOL, ALL THREE CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOL THAT DAY.
THE MOTHER WAS THERE, THE FATHER WAS THERE.
THEY RETURNED FROM SCHOOL, SHE WAS GONE.
AND THE SUITCASE, HER VEHICLE WAS STILL THERE.
IT'S CLEAR THAT SHE WAS NOT MURDERED IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AND PROBABLY OCCURRED IN FLORIDA.
INVESTIGATORS ALSO LEARNED OF TWO PEOPLE CLOSE TO MARIA AT THE TIME OF HER DISAPPEARANCE.
HER BEST FRIEND, WHOSE NAME MAY BE PATTY OR PATRICIA, AND A MAN MARIA, HAD BEEN HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH INVESTIGATORS, WANT TO SPEAK TO THEM AND NEED HELP IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING THEM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S DISBELIEF BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DECADES OF, YOU KNOW, PROMISING LEADS THAT JUST TURN INTO NOTHING.
YOU KNOW, WE CONTACTED INTERPOL.
I MEAN, I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT I'D HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH INTERPOL, RIGHT? CONTACTED INTERPOL.
THEY, THEY ISSUED A BLACK NOTICE, WHICH IS UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS TO ALL THESE COOPERATING COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
SO THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU FIND HOPE AND IT'S LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE ALMOST THERE.
THE WOMAN WHO REMAINED UNIDENTIFIED FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS NOW HAS A NAME MARIA TELLIS GONZALEZ.
NEVER REPORTED MISSING AND LEFT ON A RURAL COUNTY ROAD TO NEVER BE FOUND.
THE BIG QUESTION IS NOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO WHO MURDERED MARIA.
AND WE LOOK TO BRING THAT PERSON TO JUSTICE.