Jewelry program holds graduation, presents awards
Published or Revised December 14, 2012
Paris Junior College’s Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology presented awards in the Stuller Inc. contest. Winners were, from the left (standing): $500 Platinum Award, Gilchan Oh of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea; $100 Bronze Award, Hannah Pickett of Odessa, Texas; $200 Silver Award, Crystal D. Spencer of Lubbock, Texas; and (front) $200 Silver Award, Steven Duncan of Houston, Texas. More TIJT graduation photos via Flickr »
New watchmakers, jewelers and gemologists were introduced at fall semester graduation ceremonies held Thursday by Paris Junior College's Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology in the Ray Karrer Theater. The students received certificates for completing jewelry technology, gemology, fine mechanical watch repair, computer aided jewelry design and casting programs.
After a welcome from PJC division chair Ulla Raus, horology instructor Frank Poye introduced watchmaker Houston Clark of Dallas, a former student of his at PJC in 1996. "You have no idea what wonderful things your students are going to do," said Poye.
In 2011 Clarke attended the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Education program in Neuchatel, Switzerland, to study mechanical chronometers. He has worked with Rolex and Blancpain in Houston and now is self-employed at a business located at deBoulle Jewelers in Dallas.
"You'll make a lot of small decisions," Clarke told the students, "leading up to a big one and you need to keep going. I shot for the moon and landed with Rolex. I was persistent and kept going. The industry has changed so much and you have so much going for you. You can decide where you want to live and what language you want to learn. Just keep going on."
Next came the presentation of the Stuller Awards for Excellence, provided by Stuller, Inc., of Lafayette, La. The company awards credits to aid graduates in obtaining supplies for their new careers; the company sells tools, findings, and materials needed in the industry. The $500 Platinum Award went to Gilchan Oh of South Korea. The $300 Gold Award was given to Crystal Spencer of Lubbock, Texas. The $200 Silver Award was presented to Steven Duncan of Houston, Texas. Hannah Pickett of Odessa, Texas, was awarded the $100 Bronze Award.
Horology Technology graduates are Justin Joseph Wheat of Columbus, Miss., and Gilchan Oh of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A fine mechanical watch repair certificate also went to Wheat.
Gemology graduates include Wheat; Josephine Lynn Pavlica of Earlham, Iowa; Mary Wood of Memphis, Tenn.; Ryan Kathleen Harmon of Dallas, Texas; Kerby Daniel Dewbre of Morton, Texas; Miranda Marie Wiedenfeld of Nederland, Texas; Carl Andrew Barlow of Little Rock, Ark.; Karl Leonard Mitchell of Plano, Texas; and John Bentley Anderson of Yazoo, Miss.
Jewelry Technology graduates are Tu Hoang of Houston, Texas, and Stephanie Dotson and Jesse Melissa Berry, both of Paris.
Computer Aided Jewelry Design certificates were awarded to Kyung Huh of Lewisville, Texas; Haley Hughes of Quitman, Texas; Cole Mark Love of Coleman, Texas; Jessica Suzanne West of Cooper, Texas; and Steven Duncan of Houston, Texas.
Casting certificates were presented to Wood; Wheat; Hoang; and Shanna Porter-Morphew of Paris, Texas.
Grand prizewinner in the Student Association Design Contest was Haley Hughes, who also placed first in CAD/CAM. Winner of beading was Shanna Morphew; Jessica Walla won Finished Pieces. Winner of the CAD/CAM Finished Piece category was Steve Duncan. The Wax Carvings winner was Samantha Lanphier. First Place in Lapidary Arts went to Hannah Pickett. First place in Art Metals went to Kerby Dewbre and in Steam Punk to Jon David Wiley.
A reception for families and friends was held after the ceremony. For information about PJC's Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, call 903-782-0380.
