After a pinning ceremony on Monday, Aiken Technical College graduates were embraced by family members in recognition of their associate nursing degrees.
Sarah Batson is a College of Charleston graduate with a bachelor's degree in studio arts. She chose in recent years to find a career that would be more meaningful to her. She exchanged hugs with all her relatives, perhaps most movingly with her grandmother, Frances Mole.
"I like to have her here for all the big events," Batson said. "She is very special to me ... and always one of my biggest cheerleaders."
The pinning ceremony is a right of passage into the noble profession of nursing," said ACT President Dr. Susan Winsor, that "you have met every challenge with determination and courage."
Sharing co-valedictorian honors were Shonda Lawrence and Janet Norris.
Another graduate, Casey Mason, was stunned when her classmates voted for her as the "Tradition of Caring" award winner. They cited Mason as the student who most supported her classmates and especially demonstrated her love for her new profession.
Lawrence sought a career in nursing to gain the knowledge and expertise to serve people as a true calling. In that role, nurses must present trust and reliability.
"A wonderful opportunity awaits us," Lawrence said. "My prayer for all of us is that we never lose our passion for our profession and never lose compassion for our patients."
Norris echoed Lawrence's thoughts, applauding her classmates and family members for their support through an arduous journey.
"We're going to be great nurses, dedicated to caring for others, raising the spirits of and making comfortable patients and families," Norris said. "As nurses, we have the opportunity to feel the heart, mind and body of our patients."
The graduating class is as follows: Barrington Bagwell, Deborah Barbee, Jessica Barwick, Sarah Batson, John Bradham, Heather Davis, Travis Feagin, James Freitas, Betty Hallman, Donna Hattaway, Meghan Hawkes, Alan Hubbard, Gina Jarchow, Courtney Jones, Kathan Labran, Shonda Lawrence, Brittney Martin, Charles Martin, Casey Mason, Kristi Murphy, Janet Norris, Emily Pridgen, Randi Smith, Alexandria Snipes, James Summer, Brittany Walker, Kimberly Waller, Dalton Wates and Jeronda Yarbrough.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter