July 30, 2025
The Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts was packed with family members and friends supporting their loved ones as Pearl River Community College recognized 76 Practical Nursing graduates at a pinning ceremony held on Monday, July 28. The event was filled with celebration for all while recognizing the hard work each of the students put in during the past year.
Graduates were greeted by PRCC Executive Vice President for Instruction/Provost, Dr. Martha Smith, with words of congratulation for their accomplishments and encouragement on the hard days on behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees. She spoke of encountering people during their nursing journey that are all going through their own struggles and joys.
“I challenge you to see each of those individuals the same way that you want to be seen,” Smith said. “When they are scared and uncertain, be reassuring and caring. When they are distant and unfriendly, give them the space they need to process their feelings. When they are tired and perhaps unseen, be their cheerleaders. I daresay that in the last year, many of you were likely scared, uncertain, distant, and tired. Each person you encounter is on their own journey.
“Thank you for choosing to be the light in someone else’s journey.”
During the pinning ceremony, each student had their dedication card read aloud. Through these, they were able to express their gratitude to those that helped them reach the finish line.
The Invocation was led by Forrest County Campus student Kenley Payne. Poplarville Campus student Bailey McDyer led the newly pinned students in reciting the Practical Nurse’s Pledge. Forrest County Campus student Thomas Varnado did the closing Benediction.
Practical Nursing students are listed by campus with hometown in parentheses.
Poplarville Campus: Rebecca Barber (Franklinton, LA), Margaret Blanton (Franklinton, LA), Deloris Brown (Hattiesburg), Breauna Chapman (Hattiesburg), VaLisa Dixon (Summit), Lindsay Genuise (Carriere), Nicholas Gibson (Picayune), Kloe Gibson (Purvis), Shania Hester (Southaven), Tanya Jones (Collins), Kadazia Keys (Laurel), Bailey Mcdyer (Bay St. Louis), Laquinckia Murphy (Prentiss), Measha Page (Mount Olive), Shanika Picart (Sandy Hook), Shalonda Preston (Collins), Ashleigh Skattum (Whidbey Island, WS), Kayla Spiers (Poplarville), Ashley Vargas (Foxworth), Charlrez Warren (Wanesboro), Madison Watson (Hattiesburg), Lora Weir (Picayune.)
Forrest County Campus: Alexis Allseitz (Hattiesburg), Christie Arrington (Collins), Lentoria Ashford (Hattiesburg), Monesha Barlow (Sumrall), Thomasina Barnes (Carson), Kaytlin Baxter (McComb), Rhianda Bolton (Beaumont), Kristen Boyd (Sumrall), Raven Breland (Hattiesburg), Kathryn Brewer (Mendenhall), Skyla Brodnax (Hattiesburg), Ashton Carney (Sumrall), Jakera Cooke (Hattiesburg), Brook Cromwell (Moselle), Alexis Drummond (Prentiss), Cynthia Dye (Hattiesburg), Chynna Eads (Sumrall), Lydia Ellis (Ellisville), Blair Fleming (New Orleans), Roderick Graves (Hattiesburg), Star Green (Waynesburg), Alyssa Harvey (Tylertown), Samantha Hollingsworth (Hattiesburg), Melissa Houston (Laurel), Darrionna Jackson (Gulfport), Kembreanna Jefferson (Tylertown), Brooklyn Lee (Leakesville), Jefrenique Levi (Hazlehurst), Dalisha Lewis (Beaumont), Kenyatta Lewis (Heidelberg), Tyrondra Lewis (Natchez), Daneishia Mack (Magee), Dangela McInnis (Collins), Lamonica McNair (Magee), Modesty Mcknight (McComb), Gracen Minor (Hattiesburg), Mykell Patton (Waynesburg), Kenley Payne (Hattiesburg), Madison Pipkins (Lucedale), Kaitlynn Roberts (Hattiesburg), Emily Short (Hesperia, California), Kayla Smith (Prentiss), JaVonnah Suggs (Gulfport), Shaterrica Taylor (Prentiss), Secily Thomas (Laurel), Keiwanna Thompson (Hattiesburg), Trenton Tate (McComb), Jennifer Tobias (McComb), Thomas Varnado (Sumrall), Rehema Weems (Magee), Christopher West (Magee), Camaryn White (Collins), Ania Williams (Gulfport), Brittany Womack (Mendenhall)
LPN Program Options and How to Apply
The Practical Nursing program is available for full-time students during the day at the Forrest County and Poplarville Campuses. An evening/weekend option is available at all three campuses (Forrest County, Hancock, and Poplarville.) Full-time students complete the program in 3 semesters (one year) while part-time students take five semesters to finish.
Prospective students must first meet all PRCC admission requirements before completing thePractical Nursing application. Applicants must also take the TEAS Test completed through ATI Testing. The deadline to apply to ANY option is March 1.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Alexx Kennedy. Photography by Patrick Peerboom and River Roderick.
