Twenty-six graduating Nursing students were celebrated on Thursday in a special pinning ceremony for their completion of the Associate Degree of Nursing.

“I ask that you never lose your compassion and never have your integrity become weak. Continue to protect, serve and advocate for your patients and for what is right. Nursing is arduous but also rewarding,” Miranda Coleman, graduate and student speaker, told her fellow graduates.

The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage for nursing graduates. The tradition began in the 1860s when Queen Victoria awarded Florence Nightingale the Red Cross of St. George to recognize her service as a nurse during the Crimean War. Nightingale, who is credited as the founder of modern nursing, wanted to share this recognition. She later presented medals to her nursing students.

At Blackhawk, each nursing student designates a person in their life to “pin” them. That person – often a family member or friend – presents the graduate with a pin.

Led by nursing graduate Kara Briggs, the graduates also recited the Nightingale Pledge, which is often cited at pinning ceremonies for nurses and is like the Hippocratic oath that is recited by new physicians.

Emily Parker and Emily Stoll received special recognition at the event for a “CPR save.” The two students were part of saving a patient’s life during one of their clinicals.

Sadie Minor received the Students’ Choice Award. The students voted for one classmate who’d they like caring for them or their loved ones.

Many of the graduates have already been hired by area health care providers. Jobs range from hospice care and home health to hospital and clinic positions.

Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Nursing Graduates:

• Baleigh Anderson
• Kristy Antonelli
• Selenna Bautista-Solis
• Juanita Bonilla
• Kara Briggs
• Miranda Coleman
• Bertha Cruz Herrera
• Krista Ann Cummings
• Emily Denio
• Casey Dennis Twardzik
• Amanda Deremo-Behrend
• Cora Hjelmberg
• Crystal Hobbs
• Brittany Huffman
• Jessica Krause
• Becca Leonhardt
• Alexandrea Lindquist
• Sadie Minor
• Emily Parker
• Sabrina Richardt
• Samuel Rohloff
• Emily Stoll
• Raegan Trunkhill
• Brian Warson
• Nicole Webnar
• Hailey Wedige

Blackhawk’s main commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 20. The event will be broadcast beginning at 11 a.m.