December 12, 2024
The Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts was alive with pride and jubilation on December 11 as 47 Pearl River Community College students marked the completion of their Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). Family and friends from far and wide converged to witness this momentous occasion, filling the air with an infectious energy as they celebrated the graduates’ remarkable achievements at the ADN Pinning Ceremony.
Dean of Associate Degree Nursing Education Brandi Linares welcomed everyone to the special evening celebration.
“To the family and friends of our graduates, we are grateful for your presence here today to share in their accomplishments, your love, support and encouragement have played a significant role in their success,” said Linares.
Executive Vice President for Instruction/Provost Dr. Martha Lou Smith welcomed everyone on behalf of the PRCC Administration. She reminisced upon her family’s experience with the nurses caring for her mother dying from cancer, particularly a nurse named Barbara who helped them during the difficult transition.
“You may not be cut out to work on the cancer floor of a hospital,” said Smith. “But wherever you are called to be a nurse, go be somebody’s Barbara.”
The Invocation was given by Nicole Ware. Class President Amy Saucier spoke on behalf of the cohort.
“Now it is our turn to let that goodness run after others through our hands, our hearts, and our commitment to serve,” said Saucier. “Let us be the light in our patient’s life, the reassurance and the fears and the comfort in the pain. Let us remember that nursing is not just a profession, it is a calling, a way of being, and a chance to share the goodness that we have been blessed with.”
Five students were honored with different awards. Linzy Carter was acknowledged as the recipient of the Fall 2024 Mississippi School of Nursing Scholarship. Taylor Lancon (traditional ADN program) and Joshua Borchers (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Academic Excellence. Camryn Welch (traditional ADN program) and Caitlyn Dickinson (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Dedication to Patient Care.
Seven of the graduates were given cords in recognition of their membership in the Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) for one year of service with at least 50 community service credits. Sixteen of the graduates earned a medallion having completed two years of service and a minimum of 100 community service credits.
MOSA is the only state chapter for students in the nation with the PRCC chapter participating in numerous educational, recruitment and community activities. Saucier led the chapter for this cohort after having served as Treasurer and Vice President. Ware served as Treasurer for Spring 2024.
Prior to the presentation of pins, all registered nurses in the audience were invited to join the graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge led by Class Vice President Rykera Peters. Dozens in the audience stood to join the graduates in the recitation.
After each name was read out by Dr. Jennifer Laborde, a recording of the graduate’s dedication card was played with their photo displayed on screens flanking the stage. After their pins were placed, graduates were given a lamp as a symbol of their commitment to nursing. Several of the graduates received their pin from a family member who is also a graduate of the PRCC ADN program.
The evening ended with the lighting of lamps and a recessional of the graduates to the lobby where they could begin their individual celebration.
ALPHA DELTA NU HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING
Earlier in the afternoon, six nursing graduates were inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing. The ceremony was held in Malone Chapel with Linares greeting those in attendance.
Fall 2024 inductees are Alyssa Fleming (President), Undrea Harris, Taylor Lanon, Amy Saucier, Brandi Phillips (Secretary), and Camryn Welch (Vice President.)
Guests attending the induction were given a brief history of the organization and chapter before the Capstone Project presentation. The group elected to focus on the nursing shortage with activities to encourage more to enter the field. They attended career fairs at high schools and organized tours for the program focusing on storytelling, connection and mentorship along with the call to serve others.
Each inductee was presented with a pin and cords by nursing faculty members Mrs. Anna Busby, Mrs. Amy Esslinger, and Mrs. Cindy Skinner.
FALL 2024 ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF NURSING GRADUATES
Essence Barlow** (Hattiesburg), Mia Beasley (Foxworth), Taylor Beech** (Wiggins), Jasmine Booth (Hattiesburg), Joshua Borchers (St. Bernard, LA), Justin Boudreaux (Angie, LA), Transia Brown (Lacombe, LA), Myah Campbell (Slidell, LA), Linzy Carter (Carriere), Breanna Carver (Bay St. Louis), Madison Coleman* (Poplarville), Felicia Deschamp** (Kiln), Caitlyn Dickinson (Mobile, AL), Sade Dillon (Hammond, LA), LaCresha Drake** (Petal), Nathan Dyson (Lumberton), Kassandra Enamorado (Hattiesburg), Alyssa Fleming**+ (Carriere), Preston Freeman** (Franklinton, LA), Takyla Gathright** (Columbia), Kadie Hale (Purvis), Undrea Harris*+ (Hattiesburg), Demetrious Jackson (Tylertown), Aniya Johnson (Foxworth), Zakia Jordan (Poplarville), Cloey Knapp**(Carriere), Taylor Lancon**+ (Picayune), Alexander Lawler (Gretna, LA), Jaidyn Lodrigues* (Poplarville), Abigale Markwica (Picayune), Angela Mason (Hattiesburg), Tiyunna Maxwell* (Macon), Jordan McKenzie**(Hattiesburg), Olivia Najolia (Slidell, LA), Rykera Peters** (Foxworth), Brandi Phillips**+ (Slidell, LA), Christine Pigott*(Lumberton), Gabrielle Rayborn (Columbia), Shaniya Rich (Columbia), Kenya Robinson (Osyka), Amy Saucier**+ (Purvis), Brinley Screws** (Hattiesburg), Britney Slade Simpson (Dixie), Kenya Tassin* (Covington, LA), Nicole Ware** (Poplarville), Camryn Welch**+ (Sumrall), and Tamara Woullard* (Hattiesburg).
* Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) Cord & Medallion: 1- year member with 50+ community service credits
** Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) Cord & Medallion: 2- year member with 100+ community service credits
+ Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Lauren Curtis.
