Traditional, MEEP Graduates Receive Traditional Pins
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing program on Thursday held the traditional pinning ceremony for both traditional graduates and MEEP (Traditional and Multiple Entry Exit Program) graduates inside Temple Theater on the AC campus.
A total of 23 new nurses walked the stage to receive their well-earned awards.
AC’s Dean of Health Careers, Dr. Winifred Ferguson Adams, reminded the graduates that the faculty members who helped “pull them through the fire” represent “almost 1,000 years of nursing.”
“We take their success personally,” Adams said of the students. “We think we’re their mothers, fathers, grandmothers, aunts – all that. We have seen them grow so much throughout their time here. Graduates, the future is yours. All you have to do is reach for it.”
Guest speaker Dr. Sandra Brannan reached into her 54 years of nursing experience to share the lifelong rewards earned in the profession.
“I wish for you guys all the good things that come with this profession,” Brannan said. “You’re going to find yourselves in lots of peoples’ lives you’ve never met, and yet you have to administer care for them anyway. It’s a privilege to do that because they will teach a lot about life if you’ll just take the time to listen.”
Graduate Cassandra Sarmiento led the Invocation, while Dr. Susan Adams explained the purpose of the ceremony. The faculty then led the traditional candle lighting ceremony, and Kelley Durr led the new nurses in the “Nightingale Pledge.”
Graduate Allison Beathard finished the ceremony with the benediction.
Graduates of the Class of 2024 include the following:
Traditional program: Carolina Garcia, Cassandra Sarmiento, Alberta Thomas, Isabel Valdez and Sabrina Valka.
MEEP Program: Allison Beathard, Lauren Burns, Jessica Caporali, Esperanza Cuevas, Armani Flemons, Ana Garrido, Desirae Giles, Melany Gomez, Katelyn Hudspeth, Tyler Jackson, Britney Ramirez, Julia McCaa, Lidia Merino, Rodney Robison, Brandin Rodriguez, Isabel Rodriguez, Caitlyn Southwick and Ja’Maya Whitfield.
Faculty members include Dr. Winifred Ferguson Adams, Dean, School of Health Careers; Dr. Sandra Brannan, Director of Nursing; Dr. Susan Adams; Dr. Charlet Blades; Kelley Durr; Alicia Hayden; Vergie Hines; Patricia Hooks; Kathy Jackson; Nancy McClurg; Anna McReynolds; Henrietta Sells; and Bobbie Williams.
Photo captions:
Group: Angelina College Vocational Nursing graduates pose inside Temple Theater before Thursday’s traditional pinning ceremony. The Class of 2024 featured a total of 23 new nurses receiving their awards. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
