In a special ceremony for graduating nurses, the 13 members of the B.S. Nursing class of 2000 were pinned Thursday night at the University of the Virgin Islands Harvey Student Center.
After a welcome by mistress of ceremonies Maxine A. Nuñez and opening remarks by nursing faculty chairperson Gloria Callwood the graduating nurses were addressed by Clarice Comissiong, the territorial director of nursing. A theme of Comissiong's speech, echoed during a presentation by UVI Chancellor Roy Watlington, was the desire for local health care services to employ the graduate nurses.
The highlight of the evening was the moving presentation of nursing pins to the graduating nurses. Each nurse had pre-recorded a short thank you speech which was played while a person special to each graduate attached the nurse's lapel pin.
A procession of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, husbands and children came forward and pinned their proud graduate while the "thank yous" filled the hall.
After the each nurse was pinned, the graduates recited the professional nurses' oath while holding lit candles.
The members of the B.S.N. Class of 2000 are, Akiba D. Ambrose, Alicia A. Benjamin, Hannifer Z. Britton, Dahlia E. Buncome, Agatha S. Karoo-Henry, Royce A. Hodge, Jennifer J.JnoBaptiste, Shanell L. Larsen, LaToya C. Rochester, Ernie M. Pennyfeather-Simmonds, Tasha M. Sobratti, Michele M. Stout, and Tricia V. Garcia-Veraart.
A reception followed the ceremony, with beautifully decorated cakes by Frank's Bake Shop in honor of their graduate, Garcia-Veraart.
