SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes and Principal Leslie Weckesser are pleased to report that Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School held a Pinning Ceremony for the Southeastern Nurse Assisting Class of 2023 last week.
At a ceremony Thursday, May 12 in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 19 students were recognized for their individual certifications completed in the fields of CMS Hand and Hand Dementia Training, First Aid/CPR, Home Health Aide Training and Nurse Aide Training. The ceremony was attended by family, friends, educators and industry professionals.
A Pinning Ceremony is a tradition to welcome new graduates into the healthcare professions, as it symbolizes the dedication of the graduates’ service to the ill and injured.
“On behalf of all of us here at Southeastern, we are so proud of these 19 students for all the hard work and dedication they showed during this process,” said Southeastern nursing instructor Nanci Munro (RN, BSN). “They leaned on each other every step of the way, and we know that they will do great things in the next stages of their lives and careers.”
The Southeastern Nurse Assisting Class of 2023 includes:
Tracy Bourjolly, Khalia Darosa, Nuria Depina, Clertie Desulme, Kyra Fernandes, Joviana Gomes, Verdine Lauriston, Ana Loja Loja, Syleena Marrero, Abigail Mathieu, Ruth Mondesir, Tatyana Murphy, Noelia Pierre-Louis, Mya Octavia Ricardo, Trinity Stinson Salmon, Calla Streeter, Sophia Theodorides, Airelle Viruet and Jayla Vital.
As part of the evening, Principal Weckesser gave a welcome address, Munro gave an opening address, and upperclass Nurse Assisting instructor Laura Drew (RN, BSN) spoke of the history behind the pinning tradition.
Senior Nurse Assisting students Aurora Theberge and Ekaterini Nikolaidou, who were pinned earlier this year as part of the Class of 2022, helped to pin the juniors.
Munro and Drew then led the Pinning Ceremony. Underclass Nurse Assisting teacher Kim Berglund read the names of each student during the pinning, and Vocational Supervisor Mary Kobey presented the class following the ceremony.
Student speakers included Sophia Theodorides (CNA), who gave the student address, and Trinity Stinson Salmon (CNA), who served as class speaker.
Theodorides spoke of the cooperation and teamwork that the students showed during their training, which allowed them to succeed.
“We were all held to such high standards and were held accountable for our work at all times, but having our peers beside us was a huge relief,” she said. “Having that familiar face in a new environment brought us more comfort than we expected. To know that you are not doing it alone, and to know that everyone else is probably just as overwhelmed as you, was very comforting. That teamwork is so important in the role of a CNA, as we dealt with the emotional and learning aspects of this job.”
A photo slideshow presentation was also shown, highlighting the work of the students.
The Southeastern Nurse Assisting Class of 2023 would like to thank the Guardian Center of Brockton for hosting the class for clinical work, as well as the following co-op sites:
- All American Assisted Living At Raynham
- Champion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
- Copley at Stoughton Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Daggett-Crandall-Newcomb Retirement Home
- Heights Crossing Assisted Living
- The Residence at Five Corners
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