Twelve South Georgia Technical College Practical Nursing Students Receive Nursing Pins
Twelve graduates of the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Practical Nursing program received their nursing pins during a recent ceremony at the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus. Family, friends, administrators, and instructors gathered to support the students as they participated in the traditional pinning ritual.
SGTC President Dr. John Watford welcomed attendees, followed by an invocation from Reverend Duncan. Practical Nursing instructor Jennifer Childs provided a class overview and presented a slideshow featuring the students’ journey through the program.
The event’s featured speaker, Nurse Practitioner and SGTC Practical Nursing program alumna Chasity Searcy, offered words of encouragement to the graduates as they embarked on their nursing careers. “You have faced challenges, overcome obstacles, and made sacrifices all in the pursuit of a noble and vital calling,” Searcy said. “Your dedication and resilience have brought you to this moment, and they will continue to guide you as you step into your professional roles.”
“You are becoming part of a proud tradition of caregivers who make the world a better place, one patient at a time,” she continued. “You have the power to change lives, to bring hope, and to be a source of light in the darkest times.”
After the speech, Jennifer Childs and fellow Practical Nursing instructor Christine Rundle invited each graduate to the stage individually to receive their pin and a rose.
Graduates receiving their pins in the ceremony were: Merari Alexandra Aparicio of Americus, pinned by Marilu Pesina Reyes RN; Shawanda Brown of Americus, pinned by Roxanne Carranza Lopez LPN; Kiauna Duncan of Oglethorpe, pinned by her cousins, Amber Brown Young RN and Chelsi Duncan RN; Hailey Dunford of Americus, pinned by Sherri Bass RN; Jareca French of Reynolds, pinned by her sister, Kerica Searcy RN, and sister-in-law Chasity Searcy NP; Lauren Hughes of Ellaville, pinned by her brother, Lee Hughes FNP; John Mizell of Americus, pinned by SGTC nursing instructor Jennifer Childs; Elizabeth Munene of Woodstock, pinned by her husband, Peter Munene LPN; Veronica Mura of Oglethorpe, pinned by Michelle Chase RN; Amanda Pickle of Americus, pinned by her cousin, Tristee Lee RN; Keisha R. Swanson of Buena Vista, pinned by Shenika Stevens LPN; and Ashley Walker of Montezuma, pinned by her mother, Sharon Williamson LPN.
John Mizell then led the class in the Nurse’s Pledge and the traditional lighting of the lamp. Instructor Christine Rundle delivered closing remarks, followed by a prayer and benediction from graduate Elizabeth Munene.
The Practical Nursing program at SGTC is one of over 200 programs offered by the college, leading to a degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit. Learn more and apply for enrollment at www.southgatech.edu. Fall semester registration is August 13, and classes begin August 15.