May 9, 2024
Fifty-seven Pearl River Community College students were honored at a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, May 8, for completing the Associate Degree of Nursing program. Echoes of celebration resonated through the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts, where graduates were celebrated and cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.
Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for Forrest County Campus, Allied Health, and Nursing Programs, spoke on behalf of the PRCC Administration. She thanked those in attendance for supporting the students during the rigorous program. Additionally, she spoke of the challenges faced by this class, the rigor of the program, and the dedication of the faculty and staff.
“Each day, you have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your patients, their families, and your community.,” said Causey. “The future of healthcare is in your hands, and I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenge.”
Five students were honored with different awards. Deniece Hinton received the Spring 2024 Mississippi School of Nursing Scholarship. Chloe Slocum (traditional ADN program) and Courtney Osby (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Academic Excellence. Anna Bailey (traditional ADN program) and Hinton (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Dedication to Patient Care. Mary-Catherine Galloway was presented with the Hannah Laborde Memorial Scholarship.
Class President Mary-Catherine Galloway spoke on behalf of the cohort. She thanked classmates, family members, and faculty for their support throughout their time in nursing school. She then spoke to her classmates, encouraging them to go forth and make a difference.
“Never forget the bonds that we have formed and the memories that we have created during our time together,” said Galloway “This graduation is not just an end but a new beginning. We are now equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in the lives of our patients.
“Let us never settle for mediocrity but strive to be the best nurse that we can be. The world needs compassionate, skilled, and dedicated, educated nurses like us.”
Before the pins were presented, all registered nurses in the audience were invited to join the graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge led by Deniece Hinton. Dozens of nurses answered the call.
The presentation of pins to the graduates included the reading of dedication cards as they had their pins placed and accepted their lamp. Several graduates received their pin from a family member who is also a graduate of the PRCC ADN program.
Two graduates were given cords in recognition of their membership in the Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) for one year of service with at least 50 community service credits. Ten graduates earned a medallion, having completed two years of service and a minimum of 100 community service credits.
MOSA is the only state chapter for students in the nation with the PRCC chapter participating in numerous educational, recruitment and community activities. Deniece Hinton led the chapter for this cohort.
The evening ended with the lighting of lamps and a recessional of the graduates to the lobby where they could begin their individual celebrations with family and friends.
Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society Of Nursing
Earlier in the afternoon, Madison Lang was inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing. Held in Malone Chapel, the ceremony featured nursing student Mary-Catherine Galloway providing the opening prayer and Dr. Causey offering congratulations on behalf of the administration.
Lang gave a brief history of the organization and chapter and her Capstone Project centered on recruitment of future students into the ADN program. She was then presented with a pin and cords by nursing faculty members Mrs. Anna Busby, Mrs. Amy Esslinger, and Mrs. Cindy Skinner.
Spring 2024 Associate Degree Of Nursing Graduates
Makaylah Adamo (Waveland), Jasmine Adams (Bassfield), Monica Alford (Meridian), Anna Bailey** (Carriere), Amanda Beebe (Slidell, LA), Whitney Bond (Franklinton, LA), Kylah Booth (Collins), Aliyah Brunet** (Beaumont), Kate Chandler (Wiggins), Katrina Cooper (Monticello), Zoe Davis (Poplarville), Alisha Duckett (Picayune), Leanna Elchos (Hattiesburg), Amie Fairley (Poplarville), Mary Kathryn Fairley (Petal), Mary-Catherine Galloway** (Columbia), Chance Granger (Bogalusa, LA), Charlynda Hicks (Bassfield), Deniece Hinton** (Honolulu, HI), Kaylee Holmes (Columbia), Briana Jordan (Picayune), Jimmie Key (Columbia), Trenity Key (Columbia), Madison Lang**+ (Pearl River, LA), Carah Lowery (Kiln), Chasity Magee (Magee), Hannah McClendon** (Poplarville), Betsy McCoy (Carriere), Jelea McLeod** (Hattiesburg), Winter Merritt* (Lumberton), Jaliyah Miller (Brookhaven), Lauren Nichols (New Orleans, LA), Calli Nobles (Bogalusa, LA), Courtney Osby (Ocean Springs), Ka’Shandra Peters** (Picayune), Sydney Peterson (Poplarville), Ashli Rahmel (Poplarville), Haley Rogers (Hattiesburg), Joshua Rogers* (Hattiesburg), Katelyn Singley (Bogalusa, LA), Chloe Slocum (Foxworth), Lenzie Spencer (Bogalusa, LA), Adrian Stevens (Franklinton, LA), Mary Stevens (Hattiesburg), Macayla Strong (Carriere), Whitney Stuart** (Franklinton, LA), Claire Thornton (Hattiesburg), Michael Trussell (Brandon), Britani Tucker (Slidell, LA), Stephanie Valdez (Ellisville), Alexandria Vicari (New Orleans, LA), Ashlee Watts (Purvis), Amber Weeks (D’Iberville), Tailor Whitney (Franklinton, LA), Donnell Williams** (Purvis), Latorius Wilson (Waynesboro), and Miracle Wilson (McComb).
* Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) Cord & Medallion: 1- year member with 50+ community service credits
** Mississippi Organization for Students of ADN (MOSA) Cord & Medallion: 2- year member with 100+ community service credits
+ Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by River Roderick.
