POPLARVILLE, Miss. — On the evening of May 3, 2023, 58 Pearl River Community College students graduated with their Associate Degree of Nursing and were recognized for their achievements. Hundreds of well-wishers including family and friends from near and far gathered in the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center of the Arts for the ADN Pinning Ceremony. 

PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood delivered a congratulatory message to the students. He spoke of the challenges faced by this class, the rigor of the program, and the dedication of the faculty and staff.  

“We are here to celebrate the accomplishments of these students each and every day,” said Breerwood. “To the moms, dads, and support systems out there, it truly takes everyone making sacrifices along the way to ensure the success of these men and women we recognize today.” 

Prior to the pinning ceremony, five students were honored with different awards. Brooke Rasco (traditional ADN program) and Farris Brown (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Academic Excellence. Latoya Magee (traditional ADN program) and Sonya McBride (LPN to ADN program) were recognized for Dedication to Patient Care. Finally, Jeremiah Holmes was acknowledged as the recipient of the Spring 2023 Mississippi School of Nursing Scholarship. 

The presentation of pins to the graduates included the reading of dedication cards as they accepted their diploma, lamp, and pin. Several of the graduates received their pin from a family member who is also a graduate of the PRCC ADN program.  

Five of the 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. Thirteen of the 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. PRCC nursing student, Genifer Jones, served as president. 

After lighting their lamps, all registered nurses in the audience were invited to join the graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge led by Faith Hibley. This was followed by a thank you from Avery Holmes on behalf of the cohort. She thanked her fellow classmates, family members and faculty for their support throughout their time in nursing school. 

“We’ve completed what may possibly be the hardest thing that we’ve ever endured,” said Holmes. “I believe it takes a special and strong-willed person to become a nurse.”   

The evening ended with closing thoughts from Brandi Linares, Director of Nursing Education.  

“You are now part of a noble profession, and I am confident that you will make a positive impact on nursing,” said Linares. “I hope you look back fondly on your time here at Pearl River Community College and always remember the Wildcat Way: Pride, Respect, Class, and Character.” 

ALPHA DELTA NU HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING  
Earlier in the afternoon, eight nursing graduates were inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society of Nursing. The ceremony was held in Malone Chapel. Along with a minimum 3.5 GPA, the students sacrificed valuable downtime to complete community service and a capstone project. 

Spring 2023 inductees are Maesyn Cuevas, Terryn Davis – Vice President, Cade Johnson, Latoya Magee, Kayla Moore, Brooke Rasco – President, Breanna Smoak – Secretary, and Lindsay Walker.  

Guests attending the induction were given a brief history of the organization and chapter before the Capstone Project presentation. This group answered a call from one local school to create an educational video on detecting and treating head lice. This communicable health problem has become more prevalent in recent years. 

Each inductee was presented with a pin and cords by nursing faculty members Mrs. Anna Busby, Mrs. Rebecca Pullens, Mrs. Brittny Radosta, and Mrs. Jaclyn Smith. 

SPRING 2023 ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF NURSING GRADUATES 
Jason Arceneaux  
Ty’Tiauna Armstrong  
Auiana Baker**  
Kimberly Banks**  
Riley Barber  
Lakydrique Benn**  
Faris Brown  
Torry Cameron*  
Marisa Chapital  
Ahryana Cousin  
Maesyn Cuevas**+  
Tabatha Cuevas  
Terryn Davis**+  
Jacob Deer  
Johnesha Ellis  
Dylan Fitzgerald  
Charles Gudaitis  
Lauren Haik**  
Danielle Hernandez  
Faith Hibley*  
Heather Hingle**  
Avery Holmes  
Jeremiah Holmes  
Cade Johnson +  
Lillie Johnson  
Tyreaunna Johnson  
Genifer Jones**  
Caroline Kahl  
Heather Klages*  
Katelyn Ladner  
Sydney Lagrange  
Peyton Lambert  
Latoya Magee**+  
Mia Magee  
Teresa Maneen  
Kenna Matthews  
Sonya McBride  
Raven McCormick  
Chamiya McLaurin**  
Tamaiya McSwain  
Brennon Mitchell  
Kayla Moore*+  
Trina Moore  
Dierra Myers  
Dajona Oatis  
Lila Ramsey  
Brooke Rasco**+  
Sujeila Rios  
Mindy Sistrunk  
Heather Smith  
Jasmine Smith  
Jordea Smith  
Breanna Smoak**+  
Ty Stringer  
Kaitlyn Walker  
Lindsay Walker**+  
Sarah Wellmeyer  
Cecelia Wilson*  

* 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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