PRESS RELEASE: DECEMBER 18, 2025

SJR State celebrates fall graduates

Graduation scenes

Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook

Since she was a child, Margaret Gall loved helping people, tending to the occasional bumps and scrapes, bandaging friends and family with care. But when she witnessed the level of care and compassion given to her grandfather during his illness, “It deepened my desire to help others even more,” she said.

Once her youngest child enrolled in school, she began her nursing education with the LPN program. Today she graduates with her Associate in Science degree in Nursing and is the recipient of the Florence Nightingale Award – given for demonstrating outstanding compassion toward others, leadership in class, and devotion to clients and their families. According to Instructor Brittany Jackson, Gall also maintained an “A” average throughout the program. “She's always professional and holds her fellow classmates up to that kind of standard as well, yet is so kind and willing to encourage and just simply be there for them,” Jackson said.

Gall is among the 660+ graduating this fall and the 217 who participated in Thursday’s ceremony on the Orange Park Campus.

Also among the graduates was Major Clayton Silva, Director of Corrections with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Silva returned to SJR State to continue his education with the Florida Law Enforcement Officer Academy, earning his career certificate.

“The field of law enforcement is constantly evolving with new best practices and standards emerging regularly,” Silva said. “Continuing my education ensures that I stay current with these changes and am equipped with the most up-to-date training. This ultimately allows me to provide the highest level of service to the citizens I serve.”

Silva’s future plans include professional growth opportunities with SJR State’s associate and bachelor degree programs.

A portion of the ceremony was dedicated to the Paul “Dee” Causey President’s Award. Each year, the award honors the memory of an SJR State alumnus whom Pickens described as not only his mentor, but a fearless athlete, dedicated family man and successful businessman. “Dee Causey loved the underdog, and he loved nothing more than helping the underdog succeed,” Pickens said.

This year, Pickens presented the award to Marina McCain of Middleburg. Diagnosed with an autonomic nervous system disorder, speech instructor Chad Collins said McCain exemplifies the core of what the award represents.

“While McCain’s academic career has been punctuated with considerable challenges, she used her platform in class to spread awareness and involve her peers in better understanding what a PoTS diagnosis (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) entails and how to remain mindful of ADA accessibility and invisible illnesses in their own lives,” he said. McCain received her Associate in Arts degree and plans to work in education as a paraprofessional/teacher’s assistant.

Also among the graduates was nursing student Jesse Madrigal, who never lost sight of her dream of becoming a nurse despite a complicated pregnancy and a delivery that nearly cost her life. According to her instructor Victoria Nemecek, her recovery was long and difficult, requiring her to temporarily step away from the program.

“When she returned, she did so while caring for her infant--whose own medical complications required numerous appointments, careful monitoring, and constant attention,” Nemecek said. “Despite these overwhelming responsibilities, she approached her coursework, clinical responsibilities, and skill development with focus and determination. Her ability to balance the demands of new motherhood with the rigor of nursing school was admirable on its own.”

Her journey reflects not only her strong character but also the qualities that make an exceptional nurse: empathy, grit, and the ability to overcome adversity for the sake of others.

Xynacious "Xy" Ware’s journey is one of second chances. In an instant, the BAS Organizational Management student’s academic and life trajectory was shattered when a car accident left her with devastating injuries.

Six surgeries later, she came to see this experience as her "second chance," said her professor, Dr. Daniel Ray. “It was a moment that could have ended her story, but instead, became the starting point for a new one.”

During her capstone presentation, Ware stated how her journey took a lot of hard work and sacrifice as a full-time student, full-time employee, and a full-time mom. “Trying to juggle all of that was not easy at all. There were many moments when I second guessed my decision to continue my education, and honestly, there were times I wanted to give up,” Ware stated. “But every time I felt like quitting, I looked at my daughter. She was my main motivation through this entire journey.”

According to Ray, Ware never asked for special consideration. “She did not disclose her accident as a reason for missed work. She did not request reduced expectations. She simply showed up in my class like everyone else, turned in her assignments, asked thoughtful questions, and did the work,” Ray said. “She balanced intensive rehabilitation, family responsibilities, and full-time academic work without once asking to be treated differently or using her circumstances as an excuse.”

“Xy spoke about how her experiences deepened her empathy and shaped her desire to work in the healthcare field--not simply as a job, but as a calling,” Ray said.

During the ceremony, London Metcalf, 18, of St. Johns County, was presented with the Valedictorian Award. The award is given based on grade point average and difficulty of courses. Metcalf will transfer to the University of Central Florida to study civil engineering.

The commencement speaker was Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook. The Clay County native began serving as Sheriff in 2020. She previously served as the Chief of Police for the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida. Her extensive career also includes 26-years at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, where she retired as a 3-star director and third in command. She and her husband Don have 6 children, 4 of whom were adopted out of the local foster care system.

Photos from graduation can be found on the SJR State flickr page.