Ten graduates of the South Georgia Technical College Licensed Practical Nursing program received their nursing pins in a recent ceremony in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus. A crowd of family, friends, administrators, and instructors attended the event to show their support as the students participated in the traditional pinning ritual.
Receiving their pins were Meghan Cannady of Oglethorpe, Ahteanna Clark of Americus, Jayla Collins of Americus, Deaondra Hudson of Oglethorpe, Daphne Lumpkin of Americus, Adrianna Majoros of Columbus, Courtney Nutt of Ellaville, Macy Nutt of Americus, Courtney Surface of Plains, and Anna Young of Vienna.
The class speaker chosen for the ceremony was Courtney Surface of Plains. In an emotional address, she highlighted each of her classmates and thanked instructors, friends and family for their support and encouragement on behalf of the entire class. “I want to thank all of the people who have helped us along this journey,” she said. “You have no idea how much that helped us so we could be successful in this program and in our future.”
SGTC Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Vanessa Wall welcomed those in attendance on behalf of SGTC President Dr. John Watford, and LPN graduate Jayla Collins gave the invocation. LPN instructor Jennifer Childs provided a class overview and presented a slideshow of the students featuring the students over the course of their studies in the LPN program.
Following the slideshow, Childs and fellow practical nursing instructor Christine Rundle presented the pins to the class. “The pin you are about to receive represents your school,” Childs told the graduates, “and it also symbolizes a welcome into the nursing profession.” After the pinning, LPN graduate Adrianna Majoros led the class in the Nurse’s Pledge and the lighting of the lamp. Instructor Christine Rundle gave closing remarks followed by a prayer and benediction by graduate Daphne Lumpkin.