POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Ethel Holden Brownstone Center was full of emotion Wednesday night as Pearl River Community College celebrated the 41 students participating in the Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony.
Mary Beth Rawls of Petal is a two-year member of the Mississippi Organization for Students of Associate Degree Nursing with 100-plus community service credits and a member of the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing. She spoke before the ceremony about her experience in PRCC’s ADN program.
“I could not have asked for better instructors,” Rawls said. “They have not only been an inspiration but have stood with me through some of the darkest times I’ve had in my life. Each semester I have just been impressed with the high quality of instructors we have here.”
Rawls also delivered a thank you during the ceremony from herself and the rest of the graduating nursing students.
“To our instructors, our staff and our advisors your investment in us has not gone unnoticed,” Rawls said. “We have seen you help us individually with a subject we may be struggling with. We have watched as you have graded hundreds of pages of care plans and studied over your lectures. We have observed the hours that you have taken us under your wings in clinicals teaching us how to save a life. From a new born baby’s first cry to an old man’s dying breath, you have poured your heart and your soul into each of us standing here today and we would not be the competent nurses starting out on our new journey with you guiding and molding us.
“We thank you for being the light that has show us the path and cheered us on each and every day that we have walked the halls of PRCC. And finally, to each of the students standing here today thank you for not just becoming friends but becoming family.”
As each student crossed the stage an instructor read aloud a thank you note from the student. Many thanked those who supported them through the long nights of studying and missed social events. While most of the students were pinned by their instructors a few were met on stage by family members who are also nurses. Many previously graduated from Pearl River’s nursing program.
Jack Dilmore of Lumberton was pinned by his grandmother, Beverly Dilmore.
“It was extremely special,” he said. “It’s family. That’s my own blood giving me this reward for all of this hard work. To have the family aspect of it makes it just that much more important.”
The graduates are: Erin Amacker, Kiln; Hannah Askew, Diamondhead; Mason Audibert, Pearl River, LA; Brenda Brooks, Purvis; Ashley Brossette, Carriere; Laura Burkley, Green Cove Springs, FL; Ashley Christmas, Picayune; Rachel Henderson, Hattiesburg; Deshannon Dew, Hattiesburg; Jack Dilmore, Lumberton; Sophie Dilmore, Purvis; Kayla Gentry, Poplarville; Tyler Hodge, Poplarville; Miranda Hutson, Sumrall; Brittney LaFontine, Waveland; Faith Lee, Purivs; Meghan Lee, Covington, LA; Terri McCanless, Gulfport; Anna-Maria Medrano, Bogalusa, LA; Selena Morgan, Foxworth; Jocelyn Morris, Columbia; Haley Newman, Franklinton, LA; Andrea O’Dom-reed, Sumrall; Caroline Olvera, Picayune; Jessica Parker, Franklinton, LA; Laken Patrick, Foxworth; Corrie Penton, Carriere; Breanne Ramshur, Columbia; Logan Ratkowiak, Sumrall; Mary Rawls, Petal; Jennifer Rockhold, Mandeville, LA; India Shealey, Slidell, LA; Ethan Smith, Picayune; Chantel Standfuss, Bay Saint Louis; Clinton Stouner, Franklinton, LA; Samantha Sullivan, Lumberton; John Tolar, Hattiesburg; Skye Von Robke, Carriere; Jordan William, Picayune; Donovan Young, Hattiesburg.
PRCC Nursing graduates will now take the NCLEX exam before entering the workforce. Graduates from Pearl River’s program have an employment rate of 94 percent.
To learn more about Pearl River’s Associate Degree Nursing program including how to apply, entrance exams, application deadlines and qualifications visit https://prcc.edu/academics/plans/health-nursing/adn
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
–
Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
