Jessica Kristen Hayes graduated from UNC-Pembroke Dec. 13. She was a double major, with a Bachelor of Science in Birth through Kindergarten Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Hayes is active in the Pi Lambda Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, where she held the office of the secretary for two years.

She also received the honors of being named Eastern Region’s Undergraduate Zeta of the Year in 2008 and Zeta of the Year in her home chapter.

Hayes graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 2003.

She is the daughter of Kathy Lewis and Jamie Rivers of Bennettsville, S.C., and the late Timothy Hayes of Conway, S.C. She is the granddaughter of Vada Lizotte of Hallsboro.

Her future plans are to begin teaching kindergarten at Saint Paul’s Elementary School in Robeson County.