PirateQ 
One of the biggest and most important celebrations at Pensacola State College is graduation, which happens twice a year, and this fall brings some very special and unique stories as graduates of all ages and walks of life proudly cross the stage to receive the official documentation that signifies the hard work and determination to bring dreams to life. Thank you to those of you who shared your special stories and photographs with us to share with readers. We celebrate each and every PSC graduate this fall and wish you the very best of luck!
Layana Alsallak
“I am a senior at PSC, studying Accounting Technology. I am 34 and a mother of two children: a 13-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. I graduated high school in 2008 at 18 and initially attended university for two years; however, I had to postpone my studies due to marriage and moving to another country. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented me from completing my education until I came to the United States. Here, I finally had the opportunity to pursue my passion, and I am proud to say that I graduated with an associate degree. I remain ambitious and committed to achieving my dreams. I am very thankful to my family, my husband, and my children, who have always supported me to achieve what I am today.”
Lecia Bradley
“This graduation date will be about thirty years since I graduated with my associate degree from Pensacola Junior College, at the time. I was dual enrolled briefly when I attended Woodham High School. As an employee, I didn’t begin to take classes right away. I’d been at the college just over 13 years before I began. The time it took for me to earn my B.A.S. degree was about five years, taking one to two classes a semester. I am the first in my family to earn a degree, so it means a lot to my mother, my brother and my sister. We lost my father when I was just a child, leaving my mother to raise three children, so the journey has really been worth it. I have learned a lot about myself in the process, and I am better for it. The benefit of being an employee of PSC has also made my experience a very sweet one. I am grateful.”
Edward and T-Ashia Grandison
Husband and wife Edward and T-Ashia Grandison’s love story began right here, at PSC. Meeting in a math class in 2016, they often casually chatted while they walked to class together, but the turning point was when they ended up working at Wendy’s at the same time. They got to know each other and went on their first date on January 16, 2017. As things progressed, it was time to meet each other’s families. Edward said he was nervous at first and said, “She assured me there was nothing to worry about. After a series of questions, it turned out that her father and I like the same football team, and that sealed the deal. On the other end, when my mom met T-Ashia, and I saw how well they got along, that sealed the deal for me.”
The couple has experienced highs and lows together; however, the love for and support of one another is a constant. “Our appreciation for each other continues to grow, and the respect for each other deepens. There is something magical about having someone close who brings out the best version of you, who instinctively and selflessly becomes a cheerleader, a leaning-post, and even a compass when it is needed,” shared Edward. The couple has been together for eight years and married for one, now, and look forward to a beautiful lifetime of building on the foundation that started here at Pensacola State College.
Tyrone McMillan
Ms. Elana Garvin came into Tyrone McMillan’s life when he was seven years old. He and his four siblings were raised by their grandmother, and Ms. Elana was his younger sister’s Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. “After Tyrone was assigned to several Big Brothers who either moved or dropped out of the program, I asked for him to be assigned to me,” she said. “I enrolled him in football, basketball and Sea Cadets to have positive male influences.”
Tyrone got in some trouble in middle school, was suspended, and went to Camelot Academy, an alternative school. He wanted to attend West Florida Technical High School, an A-rated high school in Escambia County. Elana said, “Everyone said it was impossible, as no student from Camelot had ever been accepted [there], but he was accepted into the Criminal Justice Academy and was the first in his family to graduate from high school.”
While there, McMillan made varsity football, and many colleges started looking at him; however, he suffered a devastating injury, requiring surgery and leaving him unable to play his senior year. Despite that, Tyrone earned a partial scholarship to Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois the following year. The COVID pandemic hit that spring, suspending sports and in-person classes, so he returned to Pensacola and took a break from school for a few years.
When Tyrone returned to college and came to PSC, he got a wonderful counselor who helped him qualify for numerous scholarships. Here, he has excelled: he is on the Dean’s List, a member of the Honors International Phi Theta Kappa Society (Vice President of Leadership) and of the Robinson Honors Program (Vice President of Campus Outreach). He will graduate with his A.A. degree in December and plans to complete a Certificate of Accounting Technology Operations in the spring. He has been accepted at the University of Florida for the fall 2025 semester to work towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Rheanna Martinez
“I am 27 years old, graduating with my associate degree at PSC after being gone for five years to get married and have my son. My success story started after leaving an institution that was not for me and coming to PSC to finish my degree with the hopes of one day becoming a hospice nurse. After working very hard for a year and-a-half, my hard work has paid off: I am now graduating, and I have been accepted into the Spring 2025 nursing program here. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”
Riley Perantoni
“My story is one of youth. I have a lot of people tell me I look and act older than I am: I’m eighteen, and I’m graduating with my A.A. [in Criminal Justice]. I didn’t really fit in in the normal high school pathway: I wanted to get in early, get things done and get into the world as soon as possible. Rather than being a hindrance and telling me I needed to go through four years [of high school] and then go through college, PSC has given me the ability to do both, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
Isaac and Israel Railings
When twin brothers Israel and Isaac Railing began taking classical guitar lessons at PSC at the age of 13, little did they know they would be graduating four years later at the age of 16 with Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Cybersecurity. These remarkable young men finished A.A. degrees in 2022 (age 14) and A.S. degrees the next year (age 15), all in cybersecurity. “Between classical guitar and piano courses, our schedules at PSC were filled,” explained Isaac. “We also started taking general education courses through the University of West Florida.”
Israel added, “The decision to major in cybersecurity came as a result of Covid. With businesses shut down, masking, and vaccination mandates, a career in cybersecurity seemed to offer flexibility in employment.” Finding meaningful employment at the age of 16 even while possessing a bachelor’s degree has proven to be a challenge. “We’ve decided to use this next year as kind of a gap year with the goal of gaining more skills and experiences. Our next steps include EMT training in Alabama and taking part in the Holley-Navarre Fire Cadet program,” said Isaac.
“Academics is just one small facet of our lives. We are definitely not the ‘bookworm types’. We have a lot of other hobbies and interests. Finishing school early just means there is more time for fishing and surfing,” Israel grinned.
Audrey Tedesco
“I am graduating from the medical assisting program. I finished the class at 7 1/2 months pregnant and would like to dedicate my success and hard work (graduating with honors) to my daughter Julia Rose, born this past September, and to my husband and family for their unconditional support and love.”
PSC’s 2024 Fall Graduation is Friday, December 13, 5 p.m., at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The ceremony will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/PensacolaStateCollege.