Associate Degree Nursing students cross stage at Pinning Ceremony

INA, Ill. (May 16, 2014) - Rend Lake College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students celebrated their successful journeys through the program during the annual Pinning Ceremony, held last night in Waugh Gymnasium. A total of 55 students graduated from the ADN program.

Katie Blagg of Thompsonville, RIGHT, gets pinned by Professor Georgia Lambert, LEFT, Thursday night during the 2014 Pinning Ceremony, held in Waugh Gymnasium on the Ina campus. Blagg was one of 55 Associate Degree Nursing students to graduate from the program. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

To view more photos of the event, visit out Flickr account at www.flickr.com/photos/rendlakecollege/sets.

During the ceremony, Director of Nursing Barb Crouse and other faculty and staff members congratulated the students for their accomplishments.

“On behalf of the Allied Health Division, I want to offer my congratulations to all of you. I know how hard you’ve worked to get here and I’m very proud of you,” said Crouse.

Two class speakers also took the podium to give words of encouragement to their classmates as they all venture out into the working world.

“You have already made a huge impact in my life, and I’ll never forget you guys and thank you to all of our friends and family members who have put up with us,” said Bryce Hamburger of Du Quoin. “Now that I’m standing here, I wish I had one more day to spend with you all, to make a few more memories, but now it’s time to go on our way and show the world what we’re made of.”

Two student speakers elected by their peers, FROM LEFT, Bryce Hamburger (Du Quoin) and Cameron Yosanovich (Christopher), delivered the 2014 Pinning Ceremony speech Thursday night. Both graduates offered words of encouragement to their classmates and thanks to everyone in the audience. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Cameron Yosanovich of Christopher added, “To all our friends and family, and those who have supported us, we wouldn’t be here without you. You helped us face all the challenges nursing school threw our way. The faculty and staff at Rend Lake College have given us confidence and also pushed us, and I can say, for sure, we will miss them greatly. Congratulations to everyone here with me.”

The evening's prayer was given by RLC Professor Georgia Lambert. Graduate Ashley Spetter (Ewing) performed the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey immediately after the presentation of pins. RLC Professor Kristin Yosanovich ended the ceremony by leading the Nightingale Pledge with the graduates.

The students who graduated from the ADN program are: Sarah Anderson (Mulkeytown), Alicia Barnes (Woodlawn), Taylor Belmont (Wayne City), Katie Blagg (Thompsonville), Alisha Capps (Mt. Vernon), Cory Capps (Belle Rive), Jamie Carney (Benton), Kaitlyn Catron (Ina), Breanna Choisser (West Frankfort), Hillary Dinkins (Elkville), Susan Dismore (Mt. Vernon), Aaron Dunn (Mt. Vernon), April Emery (Scheller), Michael Fritts (Du Quoin), Julie Gerner (Benton), Amy Giacomo (Pinckneyville), Candy Guern (Centralia), Nancy Gunter (McLeansboro), McKenzie Haeuber (Woodlawn), Bryce Hamburger (Du Quoin), Christina Hart (Opdyke), Adriane Helmer (Du Quoin), Theresa Hewlett (Thompsonville), Chelsea Hill (Du Quoin), Deana Hill (Mt. Vernon), Penny Huff (Christopher), Allyssa Jones (Benton), Emmalee Jones (Mt. Vernon), Mackenzie Kerley (Logan), Randee Kurtz (Tamaroa), Dristi Lamichhane (Bonnie), Amy Lampey (Thompsonville), Helena Lenard (McLeansboro), Abbey Mathis (Du Quoin), Trisha McPheeters (Dix), Susan Mendenall (West Frankfort), Stephanie Moore (Dix), Tiffany Moore (Thompsonville), Connie Owens (Mt. Vernon), Josh Owens (Waltonville), Amber Page (Benton), Rachel Pisoni (Herrin), Amy Restoff (Du Quoin), Sherri Robinson (Mt. Vernon), Donna Sawmiller (Sesser), Barton Shurtz (Valier), Ashley Spetter (Ewing), Marlo Smith (Mt. Vernon), Ashlee Summers (Benton), Caitlyn Tuthill (Du Quoin), Julie Vordtriede (Pinckneyville), Jenni Vosburgh (Mt. Vernon), Casey Wininger (Mt. Vernon), Cameron Yosanovich (Christopher), and Heather Zuber (Mt. Vernon).