With the start of the new school year, I want to wish our students continued success as they embark on another year of learning, opportunity, and lifelong memories. As students pour into the hallways and classrooms of schools across the state, I also want to acknowledge and sincerely thank the teachers, faculty, and administrators who have worked tirelessly to prepare for the new school year. These men and women play such a critical role in shaping our children’s future, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their dedicated service.
With that, we’ll dive back into our examination of House interim charges. . .
House Interim Charge: Public Education
The House Committee on Public Education has jurisdiction over bills regarding public school systems, state programming of elementary and secondary education, and proposals to create or change school districts. The Committee also oversees state agencies such as the Texas Education Agency, the Texas representatives to the Education Commission of the States, the State Board for Educator Certification, and others.
Over the interim, the Committee will monitor the implementation of House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 2124, and House Bill 2209. HB 1605 completely reformed how the Texas Education Agency and public schools acquire educational materials to ensure our schoolchildren have access to high-quality, appropriate materials in the classroom. SB 2124 requires middle schools to develop an advanced mathematics program for their students to prepare students to enroll in Algebra I in 8th grade so that a larger number of students can complete advanced math courses in high school.
HB 2209 established the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program, which allows rural school districts to form collaborative partnerships with colleges, universities, or businesses to expand opportunities for students to access college and career pathways.
Additionally, the Committee will evaluate if Texas can increase educational opportunities in Texas to ensure that students and families have increased options to attend a high-quality school, regardless of circumstance. The Committee will also examine the impact on student outcomes as a result of the increasing number of newly hired Texas teachers who are not certified by the State Board for Educator Certification and will make recommendations to enhance opportunities for uncertified teachers to become certified, as well as strengthen parental rights and notifications.
Finally, the Committee will evaluate opportunities to improve students’ early literacy and numeracy outcomes in Pre-Kindergarten through the 3rd grade. It will study best practices for identifying students requiring reading and math intervention and providing evidence-based intervention strategies. The Committee will recommend changes and evaluate investments to increase the number of students achieving reading and math proficiency by the end of 3rd grade.
The mobile office is still on the road this month, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on August 21 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9-11 a.m. and the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 and my Capitol office may be reached at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will be posting regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and sharing information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
At the beginning of every fall semester, Angelina College art instructors pool together their creative abilities in a public display of some of their recent works.
AC’s Art instructors will display some of their offerings in a gallery scheduled to open on Monday, August 19, and run through Sept. 20 in the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery on the AC campus.
Faculty members Le’Anne Alexander and Reginald Reynolds will join adjunct faculty members Jan Anderson-Paxon, Christina Herrera, and Richelle Dorris in the annual faculty exhibition. Artists will include new works completed during the previous year to celebrate the start of the new gallery season.
The exhibition also serves as a welcome of sorts to Dorris, who recently joined the staff as an adjunct professor after spending time at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. A mixed-media artist, Dorris will be displaying abstract paintings.
Ranging in various media from oil and acrylic paintings to video to photography, the collection is testament to both the artists’ specific talents and overall experience in their respective fields.
An artists’ reception will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the ACA foyer. Admission to the gallery and reception is free and open to the public.
“Aged, No More Drama” by Le’Anne Alexander This work, a Behr spray on cut pine work titled “Aged, No More Drama” by artist and Angelina College art instructor Le’Anne Alexander is one of many scheduled for display during the AC Faculty Art Exhibition opening Monday, August 19 at the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. An artists’ reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the ACA gallery. (Contributed image)“Dark Secret Funhouse Roulette” by Le’Anne Alexander This work, Behr on board piece titled “Dark Secret Funhouse Roulette” by artist and Angelina College art instructor Le’Anne Alexander is one of many scheduled for display during the AC Faculty Art Exhibition opening Monday, August 19 at the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. An artists’ reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the ACA gallery. (Contributed image)“San Geronimo de Taos Chapel” by Jan Anderson-Paxson This image, titled “San Geronimo de Taos Chapel” by photographer and Angelina College instructor Jan Anderson-Paxson, is one of many scheduled for display during the AC Faculty Art Exhibition opening Monday, August 19 at the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. An artists’ reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the ACA gallery. (Contributed image) “Give Peas a Chance” by Christina Herrera This alcohol ink on paper work titled “Give Peas a Chance” by artist and Angelina College instructor Christina Herrera, is one of many scheduled for display during the AC Faculty Art Exhibition opening Monday, August 19 at the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. An artists’ reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the ACA gallery. (Contributed image)
Artists’ Statements:
From Jan Anderson-Paxon:
“I prefer to work in black and white photography. I enjoy the challenge of trying to take a photograph where the tones are separated, with enough contrast so the subject stands out, which is not always easy in black and white! My photos really depend on the elements and principles of line, light, shape, form, and balance. And getting all those to work together to create a cohesive image.
The series of photographs that am showing were taken mostly at Taos Pueblo, an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos-speaking Native American tribe of Puebloan people. It is about 1 mile north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico. The building in Taos Pueblo displays the traditional method of adobe construction. The Pueblo proper consists of two clusters of houses, each built from sun-dried mud brick, with walls ranging 28 inches thick at the bottom to approximately 14 inches at the top. Each year, the walls are still refinished with a new coat of adobe plaster as part of a village ceremony.
Taos Pueblo is one of the longest continually inhabited communities in the United States. Archeologists have found evidence that the Native American community was built between 1000 and 1450 CE. But there is no electricity or running water in the pueblos, although there is a stream that runs through the site, and there are some Native American families that still live there today. The site has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Besides the pueblos there is the San Geronimo de Taos Chapel. This building has a very long history, and is actually the fourth version of the Spanish Mission church built on the Taos Pueblo, after others had been destroyed. Near the chapel is a site of an old graveyard.
The other site where I photographed, is the San Francisco de Asís Mission Church on the main plaza of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. Originally the center of a small Mexican and Indian 18th Century agricultural community, it was built between 1772 and 1816 and replaced an earlier church in that location.
Many artists, such as photographers Ansel Adams, Paul Stand, painters Georgia O’Keeffe, John Marin, and others, have provided work from the southwest part of the states stating that there is a special “light” there. I also found that to be true, but maybe it is because Taos has an elevation of almost 7,000 feet and is closer to the sun.
Whatever the reason, I have tried to put my own interpretation on the images of these historic structures.”
From Le’Anne Alexander:
In recent years I have been increasing my focus on the idea of the guillotine. Its blade as a shape is essentially a flag with the bottom right corner tucked under. It’s a landscape canvas rotated clockwise and missing the rising sun, a portrait with no left elbow, a four-sided shape, a quadrilateral, but not everyone’s favorite rectangle, a shape that is familiar but not quite.
As a weapon it was most famously used during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror to execute those of differing political ideas.
It was the Enlightenment’s “more humane approach.” The blade is surrounded by hefty wooden framing and a weight system ensuring the accuracy of the blade. In my images I eliminate those details allowing for the idea that the blade will fall at random.
The guillotine as an artistic symbol began for me during the aftermath of the Covid lockdown when our movements were restricted. We were told where to stand, how to move, how to dress, what healthcare decisions to make, and none of it really mattered because ultimately nothing stopped it. While being herded and hopscotching around in public spaces, I was reminded of the innocent women of history who were led to their beheadings by ambitious political men and bravely walked toward their deaths, accepting in dutiful silence. We moved through our landscapes obediently and it felt like no matter what action we took, agree or disagree, we were similarly ill-fated.
Since that time, the illness is now another daily norm, yet the rising political unrest is what continues to infect a feeling of impending doom. We’ve all felt a certain weight of anxiety about the future, regardless of involvement level in politics or which banner we stand beneath. With the upcoming election stress, we are at an all-time high for panic in our nation and it seems like we are on the brink of violence, awaiting with bated breath the executioner’s axe.
My personal political stance is always going to be private, but the emotion of living in a pressure keg is what I hope to impart upon viewers. The purpose of this series is to embody that sense of recklessness our country is showing in its constant division, teetering on disaster despite the consequence of not finding middle ground. In a land of brilliance and promise I can’t help but feel dismay at the current state of affairs. If cooler heads do not prevail, we may lose them completely.”
*It is important to note that this statement and the aligning artwork were created prior to July 13th, 2024.
College Kicks Off 56th Year in Style Angelina College this week kicked off its 56th year of existence in style, with the college hosting Convocation ceremonies on Monday and the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon on Tuesday.
Classes for the new fall semester begin on Monday, August 19.
Before Tuesday’s Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, AC’s Dr. Winifred Ferguson-Adams dedicated the ceremony to the late Kathleen Hall, who served Angelina College’s Health Careers programs for more than 50 years.
The keynote speaker for the Convocation was Dr. Felita Williams, Senior Vice President of the Gardner Institute. On Tuesday, Dr. Daniel Spikes served as a guest speaker for the focus on Student Success.
Award recipients were as follows:
30-year Service Award: Celon Dale Kirkland (Manager, Housekeeping and Custodians).
25-year Service Award: Winifred Ferguson-Adams (Dean of Health Careers) and George Reed (Instructor, Math).
20-year Service Award: Steven Donahoe (Instructor, Radiologic Technology), John Lee (Instructor, Radiologic Technology), Dallas McClelland (Instructor, Drafting and Engineering), Reg Reynolds (Instructor, Graphic Arts), David Turbeville (Instructor, Electromechanics and Electronics Technology) and Terry Scott (Administrative Assistant, Health Careers).
15-year Service Award: Shelby Armstrong (Chair, Language Arts and Education), Lori Wintjes (Instructor, English), Troy Dale Edwards (Instructor, Welding), and Tifini Whiddon (Senior Director of Human Resources).
10-year Service Award: Renee McCain (Manager, Student Disability Services and Tutoring), Annette Gillum (Instructor, Spanish), and Kevin Stagg (Instructor, English).
Five-year Service Award: Mark Brantner (Receiving and Mail Clerk), Duane Choate (Instructor, Government and History), Mary Craft (Instructor, Math), Kathleen McClinton (Instructor, Biology), Charles Oliver (Chair, School of Business), Donald Randall (Instructor, Machine Tool and Technology), Kathleen Hughes (Instructor, Physics), Donta Davis (Surgical Technology Clinical Coordinator/Lab), Amanda Koerth (Instructor, Diagnostic Medical Sonography), Leonard Foster (Groundskeeper), Urbano Salazar (Groundskeeper) and Tiffany Stephens (Business Office Associate).
Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award: Anedra Perkins
Outstanding Teaching Award: Elaine Young
Faculty Excellence in Service Award: Rachel Hunt
Distinguished Faculty Award: David Turbeville
Rookie Award: Deidra Leach
Spirit Award: Camille Lipscomb
Staff Leadership Award: Remona Boodoo-Frye
Distinguished Staff Member of the Year Award: Cassandra Williams
Outstanding Program, Department or Discipline Award: The AC Testing Center (David Avant, Kathy Conn, Juanita Patton and Don Douglas).
For further information on Angelina College, contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.
It didn’t take long for our athletics programs to hit the ground running. Our Lady ‘Runner soccer team got its first dose of competition against a different team, the men’s team found out it’s entering the new season with a national ranking to defend and our softball program signed a real slugger – from a local school.
We have rosters and schedules posted for soccer, baseball, and softball fall schedules are up and running on the Angelina College Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com). The 17th Annual Guy Davis Golf Tournament is teeing off in a few short days, and our new website and social media are in the midst of some massive upgrades.
Oh, and our campus convocation is Monday, August 12, and classes begin on Monday, August 19.
While we’re going to miss our shorts and flip-flops, we’re pretty excited to get the ball rolling.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up:
Roadrunners Earn National Ranking in Preseason Poll
Following a tremendous 2023 campaign, the Roadrunners will enter the new season as the No. 6 team in the nation, according to this week’s NJCAA Division Men’s Soccer polls.
In a testament to just how tough AC’s home conference, Region XIV, truly is, two other teams made the list: Tyler Junior College at No. 2 and Blinn College at No. 13.
The ‘Runners in 2023 made plenty of noise, finishing the season with a 13-3-2 record that included an undefeated record in conference play. AC won the conference outright for the first time in program history, sending the team to the national tournament for the second straight year – the first time any Angelina College program has qualified for a national tournament in consecutive years.
Following the season, Melchor was named the District Coach of the Year.
Angelina College head men’s soccer coach Martin Melchor (left) and assistant Jose Solano pose following 2023’s conference championship-clinching win. The Roadrunners under Melchor enter the 2024 season ranked No. 6 nationally, according to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer preseason poll released this past week. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
The Roadrunners kick off their preseason Tuesday at Dallas College-Mountain View; AC’s first home scrimmage takes place on Saturday, August 24 against Texas A&M University-San Antonio. That match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
For full rosters and schedules, visit the Angelina College Athletics website at www.angelinaathletics.com.
Guy Davis Golf Tournament Date, Location Set
The 17th Annual Guy Davis Golf Tournament is ready to tee off this weekend.
The tournament, hosted by the Roadrunner Foundation, serves as the biggest fundraiser for all our AC Athletics programs.
This year’s tournament will take place on Saturday, August 17, with the pre-tournament kickoff dinner taking place starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 16.
Because of the ongoing course renovations at Crown Colony Country Club – the usual site for the tournament – this year’s golf will take place at the Neches Pines Golf Course in Diboll, Texas.
Crown Colony Country Club still will serve as the site for the kickoff dinner.
Reminder: The teams fill up quickly, and there IS a limit to the number of teams allowed to participate. Those wishing to register teams should visit the following link:
Groveton High School standout Megan Luce does a lot of things well on the softball field, but her hitting sets her apart: The incoming senior already has 40 career homers in her high school career.
Luce on Thursday signed her letter of intent to join the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners beginning in the fall of 2025.
AC’s beautiful soccer complex is about to get busy.
Both the Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners have released their schedules for the upcoming 2024 season, and the teams will combine for at least 12 home dates with at least six home doubleheaders, with more home matches possible according to postseason seedings.
Both the women’s and men’s schedules now are posted on the AC Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com).
Any changes to the current schedules will show up immediately on the Angelina College website first, and any other announcements will show up on social media (Angelina College Athletics Facebook page and on “X” (the artist formerly known as “Twitter”) at @ACAthletics.
The Lady ‘Runners’ first home match is the regular-season opener scheduled for Friday, August 30 starting at 5 p.m. against Northeast Texas Community College as part of a women’s/men’s home doubleheader.
The men’s first home action features back-to-back pre-season matches against Texas A&M-San Antonio (4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24) and Western Texas (6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27). The ‘Runners kick off their regular season on Friday, August 30 against NTCC.
All AC Soccer regular-season home games will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming.
Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics website, look at the scrolling schedule on the right and click the blue “Video” link.
TSBN also offers an app great for smartphones, devices, and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)
Reminder: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free.
Meet the Lady Roadrunner/Roadrunner Soccer Teams
The 2024 rosters for both the Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners are now available for viewing on the AC Athletics web site (www.angelinaathletics.com). We’ll be holding soccer’s Media Day on Friday, August 9, when we’ll shoot individual and team photos, along with some introductory videos. We’ll try and have those posted on our website that weekend.
AC Softball, Baseball Post Fall Schedules
A new year brings new days for all our sports, and now the Angelina College Lady Roadrunner softball and Roadrunner baseball teams are showing they’re ready to roll.
Both softball and baseball have posted their “Fall Ball” schedules for the next few months.
Click the links for each sport to view the schedules:
Changes, Upgrades Coming to AC Athletics Web Site, Social Media
We’re gonna need a bigger website.
Angelina College Athletics’ official website (www.angelinaathletics.com) and all related social media have been getting much-needed overhauls throughout this summer. Joining our staff are some true website and graphics wizards, and they’re going to help with the redesign and upkeep of all our forms of internet and social media presence going forward.
Our tentative launch date for all the new-look websites is mid-September. That’s when we’re hoping to reveal the new website, along with all the revamped (and possibly reborn) social media sites. For now, the “old” website will continue to post information.
In the meantime, we’ll be posting on all those sites to make everyone aware of the coming changes. Some of the current sites need only a little updating, while others may have to disappear completely in order to make room for the new version.
As always, we’ll keep you updated all the way up until the big launch date.
August 12, 2024 – Lufkin, Texas: Lufkin Creative is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive Public Art Survey, designed to gather valuable input from the Lufkin community and so forth on public art installations in our downtown area. The survey will be available online from August 12, 2024, through August 23, 2024.
We believe that public art plays a crucial role in enhancing the cultural vibrancy and visual appeal of our city. Public art installations such as sculptures, murals, and other visual art forms not only beautify our public spaces but also reflect our community’s identity, inspire creativity, and promote a sense of pride and belonging.
As we embark on this important project, we are seeking the voices of residents, workers, and frequent visitors of Lufkin to share their thoughts, preferences, and ideas. The insights gathered from this survey will directly influence our decisions and plans for future public art projects, ensuring that they resonate with the community and contribute positively to the downtown experience.
Survey Highlights:
Community Connection: We want to understand what makes you feel connected to Lufkin and how public art can enhance this connection.
Public Art Preferences: Share your views on the role of public art and the styles that speak to you the most.
Mural Themes and Concepts: Help us choose themes and ideas for new murals that you would like to see in downtown Lufkin.
Downtown Activities: Provide feedback on your favorite activities and suggest new events or installations to enrich our downtown area.
How to Participate:
The survey will be accessible online starting August 12, 2024. To participate, simply visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/publicartsurvey and complete the survey. The process is quick, easy, and open to all members of the Lufkin community.
We value and appreciate your input as we work together to enhance the artistic and cultural vibrancy of downtown Lufkin. Your feedback will help us create public art that not only beautifies our city but also tells the unique story of our community.
Lufkin Creative is dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in Lufkin, Texas. Through various initiatives and events, we aim to enrich the cultural landscape of our community and provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their talents.
Groveton’s Megan Luce (center) poses with her family during Thursday’s signing ceremony. The Groveton slugger signed her letter of intent to join the Angelina College Lady Roadrunner softball program in the fall of 2024. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
Megan Luce can do a lot of things on a softball field. She can pitch. She can play shortstop.
And she can hit.
Man, can she ever hit.
The Groveton graduate rocked a total of 40 home runs in her time with the Indians, leading her team to 26 wins and an impressive playoff run in 2023.
Megan Luce (left) signs her letter of intent with Angelina College as AC assistant softball coach Mike Scoggin looks on. Luce, a slugger from Groveton, has amassed 40 homers heading into her senior year with the Indians. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
After graduation, Luce will keep her versatile (and considerable) talents close to home.
On Thursday, Luce signed her letter of intent to play with the Angelina College Lady Roadrunner softball team beginning in the fall of 2024.
Luce said the team’s vicinity to home and the program’s reputation were key factors in her decision.
“I like the idea of playing close to home where my family can watch me play,” Luce said. “I know they (AC) has a great reputation, and I’ve been to several games on the campus.”
Luce said as much as any physical contributions she may have for the Lady Roadrunners, her passion for the game is just as important to her.
“I like to keep the mood high, and I love to get excited about the games and just have fun with it,” Luce said. “It can get serious, but it doesn’t have to be that way all the time.”
When Angelina College head men’s soccer coach Martin Melchor first arrived on the AC campus in 2023, he stated his program’s goals quite clearly:
“I’d love to build Angelina College soccer into a real dynasty,” Melchor said.
He and the Roadrunners are off to a good start.
Following a tremendous 2023 campaign, the Roadrunners will enter the new season as the No. 6 team in the nation, according to this week’s NJCAA Division Men’s Soccer polls.
In a testament to just how tough AC’s home conference, Region XIV, truly is, two other teams made the list: Tyler Junior College at No. 2 and Blinn College at No. 13.
The ‘Runners in 2023 made plenty of noise, finishing the season with a 13-3-2 record that included an undefeated record in conference play. AC won the conference outright for the first time in program history, sending the team to the national tournament for the second straight year – the first time any Angelina College program has qualified for a national tournament in consecutive years.
Member of the Angelina College Roadrunner soccer team celebrate a conference championship following a 2023 match. The ’24 Roadrunners enter the season with a national ranking, with the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer polls listing AC at No. 6 in the nation. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
Following the season, Melchor was named the District Coach of the Year.
As is always the case in the NJCAA, AC’s men lost several players to graduation. However, Melchor has said he’s confident the incoming group won’t allow a letdown in performance – or expectations.
Angelina College head men’s soccer coach Martin Melchor (left) and assistant Jose Solano pose following 2023’s conference championship-clinching win. The Roadrunners under Melchor enter the 2024 season ranked No. 6 nationally, according to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer preseason poll released this past week. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
Returning players from the 2023 squad include Abdallah Traore (defender), Filliph Kamfjord (forward), Eric Ortiz (forward), Ramiro Mendoza (midfielder), Christian Castaneda (forward) and Daniel Rivera (midfielder).
The Roadrunners kick off their preseason Tuesday at Dallas College-Mountain View; AC’s first home scrimmage takes place on Saturday, August 24 against Texas A&M University-San Antonio. That match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
For full rosters and schedules, visit the Angelina College Athletics website at www.angelinaathletics.com. The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Angelina College Vocational Nursing graduates pose inside Temple Theater before Thursday’s traditional pinning ceremony. The Class of 2024 featured a total of 23 new nurses receiving their awards. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
Traditional, MEEP Graduates Receive Traditional Pins
Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing program on Thursday held the traditional pinning ceremony for both traditional graduates and MEEP (Traditional and Multiple Entry Exit Program) graduates inside Temple Theater on the AC campus.
A total of 23 new nurses walked the stage to receive their well-earned awards.
AC’s Dean of Health Careers, Dr. Winifred Ferguson Adams, reminded the graduates that the faculty members who helped “pull them through the fire” represent “almost 1,000 years of nursing.”
“We take their success personally,” Adams said of the students. “We think we’re their mothers, fathers, grandmothers, aunts – all that. We have seen them grow so much throughout their time here. Graduates, the future is yours. All you have to do is reach for it.”
Guest speaker Dr. Sandra Brannan reached into her 54 years of nursing experience to share the lifelong rewards earned in the profession.
“I wish for you guys all the good things that come with this profession,” Brannan said. “You’re going to find yourselves in lots of peoples’ lives you’ve never met, and yet you have to administer care for them anyway. It’s a privilege to do that because they will teach a lot about life if you’ll just take the time to listen.”
Graduate Cassandra Sarmiento led the Invocation, while Dr. Susan Adams explained the purpose of the ceremony. The faculty then led the traditional candle lighting ceremony, and Kelley Durr led the new nurses in the “Nightingale Pledge.”
Graduate Allison Beathard finished the ceremony with the benediction.
Graduates of the Class of 2024 include the following:
Traditional program: Carolina Garcia, Cassandra Sarmiento, Alberta Thomas, Isabel Valdez and Sabrina Valka.
Faculty members include Dr. Winifred Ferguson Adams, Dean, School of Health Careers; Dr. Sandra Brannan, Director of Nursing; Dr. Susan Adams; Dr. Charlet Blades; Kelley Durr; Alicia Hayden; Vergie Hines; Patricia Hooks; Kathy Jackson; Nancy McClurg; Anna McReynolds; Henrietta Sells; and Bobbie Williams.
