57th Class of Nursing Graduates Recognized During Central Arizona College Nursing Pinning Ceremony
By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
Twenty Central Arizona College students were recognized for completing the college’s nursing program during the 57th Nursing Division Pinning Ceremony recently held at the Signal Peak Campus.
The pinning ceremony, a time-honored tradition of nursing schools across the country, signifies a student’s completion of one of the most challenging curricula offered in higher education.
CAC President, Dr. Jackie Elliott provided a warm welcome and Amy O’Neil-Calloway, Nursing Faculty, addressed the graduates.
Ms. Calloway provided words of encouragement to graduates, “I want each & every one of you to keep going & never stop… make a difference!”
Once the graduates received their pins, class speaker Kendall Austin thanked the nursing faculty for their leadership, role modeling and support. He stated, “When we began the program, Professor Bass let us know that nurses must improvise, adapt, & overcome, & we learned that… but we had each other. Continue to grow & improve & be the best nurse you can be. It has been an uplifting thing to be here. Thank you!”
Alexis Mejia received the Academician Award and Melissa Mendivil earned the program’s Clinician Award.
Rebekah Sorter was recognized for her service in NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) club and Julio Pina, Director of Membership and Stefanie Maddix, Treasurer received accolades for their involvement in the CAC Nursing Club (CASNA).
Al Chew, CAC retiree, received an outstanding service award for supporting the Nursing Division and Robin Harris, Nursing Lab Specialist, was acknowledged on her retirement.
The evening concluded with a candle lighting ceremony and the graduates taking the Florence Nightingale Pledge. The pledge, an adaption of the physician’s Hippocratic Oath, was written in 1893 by Mrs. Lystra E. Gretter and the Farrand Training School for Nurses in Detroit.
The following students received their pins during the ceremony and will receive an associate of applied science degree:
Kendall Austin
Nicole Bloom
Haley Bylkov
Phillip Cantrell
Claudia Chacon
Stefanie Maddix
Alexis Mejia
Melissa Mendivil*
Kyra Quinones
Rebecca Metcalf
Brittney Moreno
Ufuoma Nisonger
Matilda Otang Eyong epse Ebaietaka*
Julio Pina
Cierra Shultz
Brianna Smith
Rebekah Sorter
Eryn Stockett
Rozita Vaghari
Marisabel Velasquez
* NAU/CEP Student