The GACTC graduated 26 students from the full-time Practical Nursing program on August 17, 2023. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 15th and commencement, held on August 17th at the Altoona Area High School.
The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing faculty.
The commencement ceremony on August 17th honored the practical nursing students through conferral of diplomas, awards, and honors. The evening included remarks from Donna Cunningham, MSN, RN, a retired faculty member of the GACTC Practical Nursing program, and Eric Palmer, Executive Director of the GACTC, recital of the nurse’s pledge, and lamp lighting. A class message was provided by the class president, Khala Vines.
The practical nursing graduates included the following:
- Camaron Amato*
- Kaelyn Calderwood*
- Brandi Collins*
- Destiny Cruz*
- Bailey Davis*
- Cassie Detwiler*
- Jamie Gallagher**
- Kendra Gibney*
- Aspen Golden*
- Rylee Hatch*
- Danielle Hill*
- Ryan Malone
- Mikaela McClure*
- Tiffany Parker*
- Jodi Pheasant*
- Kendra Renzo*
- Courtnie Replogle*
- Matthew Scharf*
- Katrina Sinniger*
- Tabitha Thompson*
- Khala Vines**
- Kayleigh Waite*
- Samantha Walls*
- Holly Weakland*
- Abigail Weaver*
- Renee Williams*
Students which achieved High Honors are noted with **, and students which achieved Honors are noted with *.
Recognition of outstanding student achievement were provided to the following graduates:
- Knowledge Award recipients included Valedictorian Jamie Gallagher and Salutatorian Khala Vines.
- Skills Award recipient was Danielle Hill.
- Work Ethic Award recipient was Abigail Weaver.
- Garman Award recipient was Katrina Sinniger.
- Outstanding Student Award recipient was Bailey Davis.
A special thank you to the sponsors of the awards including Homewood at Martinsburg, UPMC Altoona, Encompass Health, Garvey Manor, Maybrook Hills, Juniata Valley VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Mr. Ken Garman, New Look Uniform and Embroidery, Lois Medina, RN, and Barb Arthur, LPN.
The graduates produced a video to celebrate their time in the program and accomplishments.
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For more information about the Practical Nursing program, please call 814-941-8324.
