Twenty four students will soon start careers as practical nurses, after graduating from Southeastern Technical Institute (STI) on January 7. The students, who have completed a two-year program, are now ready to take their NCLEX-PN exam, which, if passed, enables them to work as Licensed Practical Nurses.
Before the traditional pinning ceremony, Glorimar Mercado, of Brockton, addressed the graduates as Class Speaker. Ms. Mercado, who worked as a full-time Certified Nursing Assistant at Brockton Health Center while attending school, said the program was rigorous, and she thanked the instructors for setting high standards. She also congratulated her classmates for overcoming a variety of obstacles in order to succeed.
“As stressful as nursing school was, coming to class and sitting with my classmates felt like being with family. I am so incredibly proud of all of you,” she said.
Four students were given awards and scholarships based on their academic performance. Sarah Bates, of West Bridgewater, received the Academic Achievement Award (highest GPA), Mallory Oliva, of South Attleboro, and Terri Kukla, of North Easton, received Clinical Excellence Awards, and Ignace Valcourt, of Brockton, received a scholarship from the Southeastern Regional Teachers Federation and the Perfect Attendance award.
Congratulations to all new graduates!
Sarah J. Bates, W. Bridgewater (honors)
Ashley L. Belyea, Stoughton
Kelsey M. Burnett, S. Easton
Kellsie Capece, Foxboro
Debra N. Cokonis, Seekonk
Emily R. Cummings, E. Bridgewater
Erika Doyle, Braintree
Ashley L. Gilbert, Brockton
Kayla J. Gramer, Plymouth
Terri Kukla, N. Easton (honors)
Michael C. Leonard, Mattapan
Ashley N. Mathew, Norton
Kassandra L. Mendez, Brockton
Glorimar Mercado, Brockton
Kellie M. Nastasia, Abington
Susan W. Ndungu, Brockton
Mallory L. Oliva, S. Attleboro
Jesenia I. Otero, Brockton
Lina S. Pires, Brockton
Shella M. Remy, Brockton
Meade J. Rouzard, Brockton
Rachel L. Tinkham, Berkley
Ignace Valcourt, Brockton
Nancy J. Wilbar, Stoughton