The second class of Piedmont Community College (PCC) Practical Nursing (PN) graduates were celebrated at a memorable pinning ceremony on December 17 held at the Kirby Theater and Cultural Arts Center.
Twenty-four graduates were pinned in a heartfelt moment of recognition for their dedication and success, shared with proud family members, friends, faculty and staff.
Addressing her fellow classmates, Makayla Woods gave the graduate speech and thanked family, friends and faculty for supporting the graduates through their journey.
“Tonight is more than a ceremony; It is a testament to perseverance, faithfulness and the power of teamwork,” Makayla Woods said. “We worked extremely hard to be here. Through all the tests, skill check offs, clinical rotations and preceptorships, we excelled on the journey of becoming a nurse.”
Dr. Darrick Woods, Dean/Director, Nursing Programs, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the graduates.
“Tonight is not just a ceremony; it’s a promise,” Darrick Woods said. “A promise you’ll make to your patients, your profession and most importantly, yourselves. As the second cohort in our Practical Nursing program, you chose the path that would require courage, consistency and grit.”
Darrick Woods presented the following graduates with Outstanding Student Awards along with scholarships:
- Deseray Albright – Nightingale Scholarship
- Jessica Carver – Student Nurses’ Association cord
- Erin Russell – Nursing Values and Integrity Scholarship, sponsored by Janine Wall, retired PCC nursing faculty member, SNA cord for service
- Sha’Torria Torian – Nightingale Scholarship, Student Nurses’ Association cord
- Karizma Williamson – Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
- Makayla Woods – Nursing Values and Integrity Scholarship, sponsored by Janine Wall, retired PCC nursing faculty member, Student Nurses’ Association cord
Each graduate was presented with a nursing pin, a symbol of their entry into the nursing profession. The pins were affixed to their white nursing uniforms by family members or faculty members in attendance. After receiving their pins they were presented with lamps, a symbol of the nursing heroine, Florence Nightingale. Once the lamps were lit the graduates recited the nursing pledge in unison led by nursing instructor Angel Rogers.
The PN graduates are as follows: Deseray Albright, Audryanna Allen, Keyla Cabrera, Jessica Carver, Marktika Dupree, Kiyah Graves, Amanda Moore, Nadege Morton, Megan Moss, Latisha Rodgers, Erin Russell, Evelyn Shanklin, Ivy Shumaker, Tamera Thompson, Saecia Torain, Sha’Torria Torian, James Totten, Nicole Turner, Cheyenne Turpin, Kimberly Warren, Quashaneshia Waters, Amber Williams, Karizma Williamson, Makayla Woods
The graduates will now have the opportunity to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which is the final step for them to become licensed practical nurses.
PCC’s PN program began January 2024 and a new cohort begins each January. Visit piedmontcc.edu/practical-nursing for more information about PCC’s PN program.
The 2025 Practical Nursing pinning ceremony can be viewed on PCC’s YouTube channel.
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