The Robert T. White School of Practical Nursing at Alliance Career Center recently celebrated the graduation of 26 students.
\r\nDonning the traditional white scrubs, the students lined the stage at Alliance High School, waiting to receive the pins and certificates they have worked so hard to earn.\r\n
\r\nFollowing months of hard work in the full-time practical nursing program, the students graduated prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing. Upon passing the NCLEX-PN, they will begin their careers in the medical field as LPNs.
\r\n“Tonight marks the culmination of the class’ educational experience,” said Gregory Gemberling, director of the Alliance Career Center. “With us, they worked diligently to obtain the certification, and some have earned special awards, that will be bestowed upon them this evening. We have a lot to celebrate and many people to acknowledge.”
Gemberling welcomed the audience and thanked the staff of Robert T. White School of Practical Nursing, especially RTW Director Bonnie Newton, for all the hard work they have put into preparing the students to become LPNs.
\r\nFollowing Gemberling, Salutatorian Gina Arbogast addressed her peers and the audience during her speech at the graduation.
\r\n“Every person who stands behind me has their own reason for wanting to become a nurse,” she said. “But I would like to take a second to share with you mine.”
\r\nArbogast explained how she grew seeing how challenging and rewarding the healthcare industry can be. Her mother is a registered nurse, and she always dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps by becoming a nurse herself. She expressed her gratitude for the practical nursing program at ACC and what it has helped her to achieve.
“Before this program, I had a dream of becoming a nurse,” Arbogast said. “And this program made my dream a reality. This program has given me the skills, the knowledge and the confidence needed to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse.”
\r\nMadison Taylor was the valedictorian for the 2018-2019 graduating class. While she hadn’t visualized herself as a nurse when she was younger, she couldn’t imagine pursuing any other career.
\r\n“You must be caring, compassionate, driven, capable, adaptable, willing to sacrifice, kind, knowledgeable and so many other things not on this list,” Taylor explained in her speech what makes a good nurse.
\r\nShe thanked her classmates and the staff of RTW for helping her to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse.
Following the speeches by Arbogast and Taylor, LPN instructor, Emily Deack, presented the special awards. The awards were presented as follows:
\r\nThe Academic Excellence Award was presented to Madison Taylor.
\r\nThe Perfect Attendance Award was presented to Gina Arbogast and Constance Tenney.
\r\nThe Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Renee Vacha.
\r\nThe Jane Moncrief Spirit of Nursing Award was presented to Kayla Leeson.
\r\nThe Jack and Madge Peters Award was presented to Carissa Keister and Ashley Knoch.
\r\nFollowing the awards presentation, the graduates received their long awaited for pins and certificates.
The graduates are as follows: Gina Arbogast, Ikeia Bankhead, Emerald Belopotosky, Mariah Blevins, Amy Carlile, Taylor Carver, Mandy Eckard, Geneva Grindley, Jennifer Jackson, Angelina Kaltenbaugh, Carissa Keister, Lucia Kirksey, Ashley Knoch, Amanda Lare, Kayla Leeson, Theresa Peer, Zachary Rigby, Brianna Soto, Deborah Stanich, Katie Stevens, Dawn Stout, Madison Taylor, Constance Tenney, Renee Vacha, Nichole Wagmiller and Sophia Wasson.
\r\nThe graduates are preparing to take the NCLEX-PN soon and hope to be the third class from RTW to receive a one-hundred percent passage rate from first time test takers. A few students have already received job offers.
\r\nWe would like to wish all the students luck as they take the NCLEX-PN and enter into their new careers! Congratulations, graduates!