Graduating nursing students pinned

St. Johns River State College recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize the Associate in Science in Nursing students.

The pinning ceremony symbolized the “rite of passage into the nursing profession,” said Anna Lebesch, SJR State’s vice president for workforce development.

St. Johns County resident Marie Furlong received the Academic Excellence award in recognition for her special achievements throughout the two-year program.

Graduating students from St. Johns County include Vikas Crawford, Jessica Crowley, Marie Furlong, David Hurt, Erin Lacey, Jessica Longoria, Amanda Radford, William Ravizza, Arthur Ricker, Karen Watts and Stacy Williams.

Lebesch described the pinning and lighting ceremony as the symbol of the care and devotion nurses provide. The pin is a reminder to the 27 graduating class members of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. The ceremony is also a continued tradition of Florence Nightingale’s extended honor to her most outstanding nurses.

Putnam County resident Deborah Raker received the Outstanding Student of the Year award and the Florence Nightingale award.

Students were pinned by family members. The recipient of the Florence Nightingale award lit a single lamp and began the Florence Nightingale Pledge with all graduates joining in. This tradition serves as an icon in nursing from Nightingale, who is known as the founder of modern-day nursing. In the 1800s, Nightingale was known as the “lady with the lamp,” tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way.

The following student is from Flagler County: Amanda Hale.

Students from Putnam County included Rebecca Blundell, Spencer Garrison, Jordan Hardy, Lauren Harper, Barbara Hebert and Deborah Raker.

Students from Clay County included Myra Blount, Amanda Harris, Angela Hille, Dawn Jones, Robert Kinsman Jr., Cindy Nelson, Jennifer Reid, Jodi Toups and Debra Vasquez.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by SJRSC