Jewelry program graduation ceremonies held

Published or Revised May 11, 2012

Paris Junior College's Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology held spring semester graduation ceremonies Thursday in the Ray Karrer Theater for students completing jewelry technology, gemology, fine mechanical watch repair, computer aided jewelry design and casting. Ulla Raus, division chair, introduced Bridget Byrne as keynote speaker. Byrne is a 2005 TIJT gemology graduate who has had a phenomenal career. During Byrne's TIJT class field trip a visit was made to an American Gem Society retail store and manufacturing facility. During the visit Byrne introduced herself to the owner, Pieter Andries, and soon after gained employment with his company. In just four years Byrne worked her way up from doing clerical work to managing the appraisal, marketing, and production departments and in 2010 was promoted to Vice President of Operations for Pieter Andries Creators of Fine Jewelry. She works directly with the owner innovating new procedures and strategies to ensure continued growth. Byrne advised the graduates to "commit yourselves to be the best." "If you have a passion, remain excited and do what you love, the money will follow." She shared that her firm presently employs four former TIJT graduates which exemplifies the quality of training the students receive in all the TIJT programs that are offered at Paris Junior College. Two horology students have received scholarships. Nate Alan Bartush of Laramie, Wyo., received a scholarship from The Harold J. and Marie Borneman Greenwood Memorial Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. This fund was established to assist students of Horology. Gilchan Oh, of South Korea, has been awarded a scholarship from The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. The Stuller Awards for Excellence given by Stuller Inc., of Lafayette, La., provides company credits to aid graduates in obtaining needed supplies. Stuller, Inc. is a company supplying tools, findings, and materials needed in the industry. The $500 Platinum Award went to Patrick Featherman of London, Canada. The $300 Gold Award was given to Forrest Aaron Meharg of Benbrook. The $200 Silver Award was presented to Cassidy Jo Swanson of Adel, La. Harlan Wayne Skarphol of Fort Collins, Colo. was awarded the $100 Bronze Award. Horology Technology graduates are Buckley Hal Gooding of Hugo, Okla.; Ra Sao of Dallas; Nikolaus Libby of Newcastle; Nate Alan Bartush of Laramie, Wyo.; and Brandon Edgar Murrieta of Yuma, Ariz. Gemology graduates include Robert C. Robertson and Jonathan E. Vernon of Paris; Rachel A. Williams of McKinney; Haley E. Hughes of Quitman; Cole Mark Love of Talpa; Ty Hoang of Houston; Jacob K. Walker of Victoria; and Colin G. Wanshura of Red Wing, Minn. Jewelry Technology graduates and their hometowns are: Victoria McGuire of Pecan Gap; Forrest Meharg of Benbrook; Ashley Robert Spurlock of Longview; Kyung Huh of Lewisville; Logan Paul Kelly of North Richland Hills; Cassidy Swanson of Adel, La.; Harlan Skarphol and Kaylee Jo Wilson of Fort Collins, Colo.; McKenna Rachelle Hanks of Great Bend, Kans.; Dylan Kaber of Livonia, Mich.; and Patrick Featherman of London, Canada. Receiving Computer Aided Jewelry Design certificates are Donald Lynn Conklin of Paris; Scott Edward Bradford of Canyon; Brandall Harris of Houston; T. Paul Unger of Huntsville; Mary Wood of Memphis, Tenn.; and Diana Falla, Bogota, Colombia. Casting certificates were presented to Stephanie M. Dotson of Paris; Paul Unger, Jacob Walker, Brandall Harris, Scott Bradford, and Forrest Meharg. The overall winner in the Student Association Design Contest was Jacob Walker. Walker also won 1st place in the CAD/CAM Finished Piece category. The Wax Carving winner was Mary Wood. Paul Unger won first place in Lapidary Arts and Finished Piece categories. First place in Art Metals was Donald Conklin. Kaylee Wilson was the 1st place winner in CAD/ CAM. Brandall Harris won 1st place in Beading. Scott Bradford was the winner in the CAD/CAM class contest. Following ceremonies the graduates joined family and friends for a reception.