In particular, three students were recognized for their achievements within the program. Courtnee Colburn (Apache Junction) was selected as the graduating class’ Outstanding Academician, having achieved the class’ highest grade point average at CAC.
Keeley Ramirez (Florence) was awarded the program’s Outstanding Clinician Award, while Megan McClintick (San Manuel) was given the program’s leadership award.
After a warm welcome given by CAC director of nursing Cherrie Evans as well as Interim President Dr. Doris Helmich, the graduates were addressed by Vivian Denson, CAC’s professor of nursing.
“Congratulations!” Denson announced with two thumbs up. “You have arrived at this point, but this is but one stage. With this new stage come new opportunities.”
Next, each of the 32 members of the program’s graduating class received pins signifying the students’ completion of the program. Following the pinning, class speaker Charmaine Jackson (Queen Creek) congratulated her fellow students.
“When I think back to our first class two years ago, it’s hard to believe how much we’ve changed,” Jackson said. “As a class, we all come from different backgrounds; we have a new U.S. citizen, a former flight attendant, and a military veteran. Even though we’re all different, we all started the program with the same goal.”
Lastly, following a candle lighting ceremony, the graduating students took 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, Mich.
Below are the 32 students who received their pins during the convocation and also will receive an associate of applied science degree:
- Kristian Andrade (Casa Grande)
- Matthew Bellerose (Queen Creek)
- Jacob Bergen (Queen Creek)
- Tamera Birdzell (Stanfield)
- Lindsey Brown (Queen Creek)
- Kayla Butler (Queen Creek)
- Lyndie Cherry (Gilbert)
- Christine Cleveland (Queen Creek)
- Courtnee Colburn (Apache Junction)
- Trisha Danielson (Chandler)
- Amber Davis (Coolidge)
- James Flint (Queen Creek)
- Jacquelyn Geller (Casa Grande)
- Crystal Gower (Queen Creek)
- Stacy Gross (Florence)
- Charmaine Jackson (Queen Creek)
- Susan Jones (Casa Grande)
- Ashley Kinser (Casa Grande)
- Daud Koleosho (Casa Grande)
- Charlene Leary (Arizona City)
- Brandi Martin (Florence)
- Jose Martinez (Florence)
- Megan McClintick (San Manuel)
- Elizabeth Milone (Casa Grande)
- Elizabeth Monterde (Casa Grande)
- Jennifer Muhammad (Casa Grande)
- Stephanie Nadler (Gilbert)
- Anna Peralta (Casa Grande)
- Keeley Ramirez (Florence)
- Brisa Silverleaf (Florence)
- Jennifer Walker (Coolidge)
- Karla Yonts (Maricopa)
