Fourteen are honored at third annual pinning ceremony

CLARKSDALE – Labeled Coahoma Community College’s “Class of Victory,” 14 Associate Degree Nursing graduates were honored Wednesday night in CCC’s third annual pinning ceremony.

Delivering the keynote address was Ivy Anderson, assistant professor of nursing at the Baptist College of Health Sciences in Memphis, who praised the students for answering the call of nursing – a profession requiring care and compassion.

“You have completed your course of study and are about to obtain licensure,” said Anderson. “You have obeyed the call with a desire to care – to show compassion for the sick, and to make a difference.”

She continued, “Nurses come in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and their critical thinking produces decisions that make a difference in life and death.”

Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, Anderson said one ox can pull 2,000 pounds; a second ox alone can pull another 2,000 pounds, but joined together, they can pull 10,000 pounds.

“Go with an attitude of working to produce quality nursing care, and go to work with an open mind,” she said. “Work hard to get your license, and work harder to keep it.”

Dr. Evelyn Smith, director of CCC’s AND program, told the audience that CCC’s 2008 graduates scored a 100 percent pass rate on board certification examinations.

“In 2008 there were seven graduates; this year we have twice as many,” she said.

Dr. Vivian Presley, CCC president, and Dr. Rosetta Howard, academic dean, praised the students for their hard work and their families for being supportive.

“Some students quit a job so you could be here tonight. We are charged not by what we say or do, but what we become,” said Howard.

“Our graduates are changing the face of health care in north Mississippi with one nurse at a time,” she continued.

Awards were presented earlier in the program. Jacqueline Hicks of Clarksdale was named 2000 A.D.N. Student of the Year.

The graduates will receive diplomas at CCC’s graduation Saturday in the Pinnacle.

The class includes Jacqueline Hicks of Clarksdale; Kim Watson of Crowder; Qwana Jones, LaShelle Melton, Carla Hickman, and Undra Haggan, all of Clarksdale; Sherrica Smith of Gunnison; Sylvester Thornton of Sumner; Carolyn Fowler of Clarksdale, Chasity Stafford of Walls, Tosheba Hill of Cleveland; Wykeshia Jackson of Clarksdale; Lekenya Nuttall of Ruleville; and Crystal Wadlington of Shaw.