The DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy Certified Nursing Assistants Fall Pinning Ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the Hotel Pattee, honoring 18 students for completing the CNA Program.
Attendees supporting the students included family members, DMACC staff and area high school counselors. DMACC Site Director Eddie Diaz welcomed students and attendees and outlined the origins of the pinning ceremony, which has deep roots, he said.
“The pinning ceremony has roots from the 12th century when knights who aided the sick and infirmed were given a Maltese cross to wear,” Diaz said. “This pinning ceremony is tied to the Red Cross of St. George Award, presented in the 1800s to Florence Nightingale for her service during the Crimean War. Our hope is that today’s pinning is the first of several milestones on the students’ career paths in the healthcare profession.”
The pinning ceremony’s keynote speaker was Lynette Groenenboom, director of development at the Perry Lutheran Homes. Groenenboom spoke movingly about her father’s journey through dementia and the compassionate care he received in his final stages at the Perry Lutheran Homes, particularly from the CNAs.
The VanKirk Career Academy CNA graduates are eligible to work at long-term care facilities in Iowa. Upon their completion of state testing, they obtain their advanced CNA certification, allowing them to work in hospital settings.
Students awarded their CNA pins Wednesday were:
- Ashley Arbuckle
- Payton Archer
- Gabrielle Austin
- Haylee Bedwell
- Kate Busby
- Devon Carlile
- Jackelin Carrillo
- Chloe Creger
- Payton Gafford
- Dakota Houlihan
- Greta Janssen
- Jenna Morrison
- Jewel Perkins
- Grant Polito
- Faith Recker
- Madisyn Sick
- Kwamena Soe
- MaKenna Teel
Program instructors were Katie Tuel, Danielle Navarro and Megan Nikolish.
“Our students have dedicated themselves this semester to early morning classes, late night clinicals, and weekends of studying to get to this point,” Tuel said. “They are now able to celebrate an achievement for those countless hours. These students are a wonderful group that will be a great asset to our healthcare system. I wish them all the best moving forward in their healthcare careers.”
Tom Lipovac, Career Advantage advisor, also congratulated the students on their hard work.
“Our students devoted hours of study in the classroom gaining knowledge and practicing essential healthcare skills,” Lipovac said. “In addition, sixty hours of clinical experience are a key component of Basic CNA and Advanced CNA coursework. These students are beginning a pathway of dedicated service while pursuing their life’s calling. In caring for life, in one of the most noble of professions, their future is bright, promising and impactful.”
Thousands of high school students take advantage of Des Moines Area Community College’s Career Advantage offerings each year, giving them a jump start on their academic and career goals while taking tuition-free college courses. With this early start on college, students gain hands-on experience that can lead directly to a degree, diploma, certification, apprenticeship or a job — all while saving time and money.
Spring semester registration is now open. For more information, talk to your high school counselor or contact the DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy at 1011 Second St. in Perry, 515-428-8100.
