Monday, December 16, 2002
PRCC School of Nursing graduation pins 17 

POPLARVILLE - Pearl River Community College's Department of Associate
Degree Nursing recently held its mid-year graduation and pinning
ceremony with 17 graduates receiving formal recognition.

ADN Director Peggy Dease told the families and guests of students that
"Although this group may seem small, they are mighty in determination
and ability.  These graduates had a dream and that dream is now being
realized."

Graduate Leslie Skipper of Picayune served as the official speaker for
the class.  "We would like thank the faculty and staff who have held us
to the high standards that this school is known for," said Skipper. 
"Thank you for not compromising yourselves and ultimately not
compromising us.  You have always been there to lend a shoulder to cry
on, to encourage, and to listen to our problems, even when they had
nothing to do with school.  Now we have a responsibility to hold
ourselves to the standards we have been held to here."

PRCC President William Lewis told graduates the pinning ceremony was a
special time in their lives.  "I want to congratulate each of you for
this accomplishment," said Dr. Lewis. "You leave us with the knowledge
and skills to enter a challenging world."

Class members Connie Cathledge of McHenry gave the invocation, Cassie
Malley of Poplarville presented the class gift, Ceyrelia Ladner of
Perkinston led the Nightingale Pledge, and Gabriel David of Lumberton
gave the benediction.

The December graduates include:
Carriere - Shelly Restivo.
Columbia - Vincent Johnson, Angela Smith. 
Hattiesburg - Kimberly Dunn, Don Lofton, Jennifer Hollingsworth.
Lumberton - Gabriel David. 
McHenry - Connie Cathledge.
Perkinston - Ceyrelia Ladner. 
Picayune - Jamie Finn, Melissa Mitchell, Bridget Shaw-Merwin, Leslie
Skipper. 
Poplarville - Laurence Crisostomo, Cassie Malley.
Prentiss - Donna Jones. 
Sandy Hook - Amberly Langston. 

PHOTO:  The Pearl River Community College's Department of Associate
Degree Nursing held its mid-year Graduation and Pinning Ceremony
recently with 17 graduates receiving formal recognition.  The graduates
are (front row, from left) Leslie Skipper of Picayune, Jennifer
Hollingsworth of Hattiesburg, Cassie Malley of Poplarville, (middle row)
Gabriel David of Lumberton, Connie Cathledge of McHenry, Bridget
Shaw-Merwin of Picayune, Shelley Restivo of Carriere, Jamie Finn of
Picayune, Angela Smith of Columbia, (back row) Vincent Johnson of
Columbia, Laurence Crisostomo of Poplarville, Kimberly Dunn of
Hattiesburg, Donna Jones of Prentiss, Amberly Langston of Sandy Hook,
Ceyrelia Ladner of Perkinston, Melissa Mitchell of Picayune, and Don
Lofton of Hattiesburg.