TIJT holds Spring 2011 graduation ceremonies

Published or Revised May 13, 2011

Paris Junior College's Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology held spring graduation ceremonies Thursday in the Ray Karrer Theater for students completing jewelry technology, gemology, horology, bench technician, fine mechanical watch repair, computer aided jewelry design and casting programs. Appraiser and brokerage firm owner Patti Geolat, GG, FGA, ASA, ARM, CIOP, was the speaker. The founder and CEO of Geolat and Associates Inc. of Dallas, which handles jewelry, fine art and antiques, challenged the students to apply a "three G approach" to their pursuits as they enter a profession that is very tradition bound and allergic to change. "Respect the tradition, but be the much needed agents of change. Get involved, give back, and grab a mentor," she said. The Stuller Awards for Excellence are given by Stuller Inc., of Lafayette, La. Stuller Inc. is a company supplying tools, findings, and anything needed in the industry. The awards are company credits to aid graduates in obtaining needed supplies. The $500 Platinum Award went to Michael Paul Burback of White Bear Lake, Minn. The $300 Gold Award was given to Mariah Therese Bennett of Huntsville, Ala. The $200 Silver Award was presented to Katrina Lynn Broyles of Farmington, Ark. Stephanie Kristine Budde of Geneseo, Ill. was awarded the $100 Bronze Award. Receiving certificates for Horology are Joshua Thomas Durham of Carlisle, Pa., and Robert Frank Loper of Scottsdale, Ariz. Michael A. Smith of Oroville, Calif. received the Fine Mechanical Watch Repair certificate. Students receiving Bench Technician certificates include Joshua Durham, of Carlisle, Pa., and Mark Hatley of Cave City, Ark. Jewelry Technology graduates are Mariah Therese Bennett of Huntsville, Ala.; Katrina Lynn Broyles of Farmington, Ark.; Michael Paul Burback of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Christine A. Cattani of Flower Mound, Texas; Franklin Dean Johnson of Albuquerque, N.M.; Jacqueline Monterrosa of Houston; Sarah O'Hearn of Carlisle, Pa.; Julianna Elizabeth Schaepe of Fort Worth; Dana E. Smith of Greenville, N.C.; and Stephanie Kristine Budde of Geneseo, Ill. Budde, Cattani, and Johnson also received Casting certificates. Gemology graduates are Dustin Keith Adair of Clarksville, Tenn.; Danielle Lynn Berrett of Cooper, Texas; Scott Edward Bradford of Canyon, Texas; Emma DeHaven of Crested Butte, Colo.; Harry Ginger of El Dorado, Ark.; Marvin Sierra of Piscataway, N.J.; Amanda Tilger of Rowlett, Texas; Kara Lynne Whitaker, Dallas; and Benjamin David George of Austin. George also received a Casting certificate. Receiving CAD/CAM certificates are Bethany E. Schaudies of Corpus Christi; Paige Elizabeth Duncan of New Boston, Texas; Justin S. Harwell of Mart, Texas; and Timothy W. Madigan of Huntley, Ill.; and Daniel Coffey of Queen City, Texas. Coffey and Schaudies also received Casting certificates. Casting certificates were also presented to Leah Danielle Allred of Paris, Texas; Deborah Ann Comer, of Queen City, Texas; David Wilbur of Climax, Texas; and Martin Joe DeRemus of Olathe, Kansas. The overall winner in the Student Association design contest was Dean Johnson, of Albuquerque, N.M., for his Celtic ring. Johnson also won first place for Finished Pieces and the CAD/CAM Design category. The Computer Aided Design class winner was Paige Duncan of New Boston, Texas, for her Mommas Ring. Stephani Dodson of Paris, Texas was top winner in Beads. Shanna Morphew of Paris was the winner in the Rendering category. Lapidary Arts winner was Mary Wood of Memphis, Tenn. Art Metals winner was Martin DeRemus of Olathe, Kan. The Wax Carving winner was Harlan Skarphol of Fort Collins, Colo.