Photo credit: Courtesy of DMACC
PERRY, Iowa—DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy Site Director Eddie Diaz (above, at podium) welcomes attendees to the DMACC Perry Spring 2023 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pinning Ceremony on Wed., May 3, at the Hotel Pattee in Perry.
The event honored a total of 17 area high school students who are now graduates of the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy CNA program. The students represent four different area high schools: Adel DeSoto Minburn (ADM) High School, Panorama High School, Perry High School and Woodward-Granger (WD) High School. During the ceremony, the new graduates were cheered on by fellow DMACC students, faculty and staff, family members and friends, and their high school counselors who were in attendance to help celebrate their accomplishments.
In his welcome remarks, Diaz also shared the unique history and meaning of the pinning ceremony.
“The pinning ceremony has roots from the 12th century when knights who aided the sick and infirm were given a Maltese cross to wear,” Diaz said. “Today’s pinning ceremony is closely tied to an award given to legendary nurse Florence Nightingale. Known as the mother of modern nursing, she was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in the 1860s for her tireless work during the Crimean War. Our hope is that this is just the first pinning of these student’s career in the healthcare industry.”
Photo credit: Courtesy of DMACC
DMACC President Rob Denson (above, at podium) was the keynote speaker at the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy’s Spring 2023 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pinning Ceremony and spoke about the strong foundation that students gain with a DMACC education.
“We have something for everyone at DMACC,” Denson said. “Your time here can be the first step to an amazing career.”
And his main advice for the new CNA graduates?
“The secret to life is hard work,” Denson said. “Double down on skill development and stay focused. The time and effort you put in matters.”
Photo credit: Courtesy of DMACC
Spring graduates of the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program gather for a group photo during the Pinning Ceremony on May 3 in Perry. The 17 graduates were each introduced by DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy Site Director Eddie Diaz, awarded certificates by DMACC Carroll Campus Provost Joel Lundstrom and pinned by DMACC Perry CNA Instructor Katie Tuel.
CNA graduates are now eligible to work at long-term care facilities in Iowa and have the option to next pursue their advanced CNA certification, which will allow them to work in hospital settings. Each student needs to pass their state tests before being officially certified.
The graduates are pictured above as follows: (front row, left to right)David Soto-Rojas, Perry High School; Diana Barron, Perry High School; Zoey Hambleton, Panorama High School; Sara Westergaard, Panorama High School; Callie Moyer, Adel DeSoto Minburn (ADM) High School; Gretta Hansen, Woodward-Granger (WD) High School; Gracelyn Deputy, Woodward-Granger (WD) High School; (back row, left to right) DMACC President Rob Denson; Meeaye Chandrea, Perry High School; Rubi Hernandez, Perry High School; Alexa Garcia, Perry High School; Jacqueline Crescencio, Perry High School; Grace Garrett, Perry High School; Dane Kemble, Panorama High School; Valerie Nichols, Panorama High School; Kathryn Vasquez, Perry High School; Piper Giles, Adel DeSoto Minburn (ADM) High School; Callie McFarland, Perry High School; and DMACC Perry CNA Instructor Katie Tuel.
“These students have worked hard all semester to reach this goal,” Tuel said. “The growth that I can see in all of them from the first day until now is incredible. or many of the students, this is a first step into a variety of health care careers. They have learned the dedication and drive they will need to be successful moving forward. I wish them all the best of luck in their future plans!”
Tom Lipovac, DMACC Career Advantage Advisor, said the students are beginning a pathway of dedicated service that reflects their passion for helping others.
“In caring for life, nurses humbly and honorably serve patients and families,” Lipovac said. “Our DMACC CNA students have demonstrated confidence in their ability, compassion in their care, and conviction in their career journey as future health care professionals.”
Thousands of high school students take advantage of DMACC Career Advantage offerings each year, giving them a jump start on their academic and career goals, while attending tuition-free college courses. Students gain hands-on experience that can lead directly to a degree, diploma, certification, apprenticeship or a job while saving time and money.
Registration is now open for the Fall 2023 semester at DMACC. For more information, high school students are encouraged to visit their school counselor or to call the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy at 515-428-8100.
To learn more about DMACC Career Advantage, visit dmacc.edu/careeradvantage.
(contributed article and photos, DMACC)
