Greenfield Community College Practical Nursing Program students will be graduating in a ceremony to be held on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds. This is the twentieth graduating class of the program, which prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses.

Many in the class are non-traditional students who have balanced family and work responsibilities to successfully complete the program. Some are pursuing an opportunity for second careers; others are furthering their education in the nursing profession.

It is the thirteenth year the Practical Nursing Program has been at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Classes are held at the Medical Center and clinical experiences take place several local hospitals and nursing homes in Hampshire and Hampden Counties.

Graduates have successfully completed a full-time ten month program administered by Greenfield Community College. They are now eligible to complete a state licensure examination and to attain their goal of becoming licensed practical nurses.

Once licensed, graduates are eligible for nursing positions in long-term care facilities, physicians' offices and clinics, schools, correctional facilities and psychiatric settings.

The graduation program will include the awarding of certificates, a pinning ceremony, guest speakers and the presentation of awards in academic and clinical excellence.

Dr. Robert L. Pura, President of Greenfield Community College, will give the commencement address and award certificates. Guest speaker is Tricia Carey. Student speakers are Miriam El Ghorfi and Gina Zanvettor.

Graduates by hometown:

Debra Breor, eenfield

Shanna Clark, Wendell

Miriam El Ghorfi, Greenfield

Lauren Ellis, Millers Falls

Angela Gonyer, Montague

Stefanie Holmes, Montague

Terri Jamieson, Greenfield

Jenny Lambert, Millers Falls

Jenna Luippold, Turners Falls

Amanda Lynch, Greenfield

Savannah Mundell, Greenfield

Katelyn Page, Turners Falls

Sarah Pendriss, Greenfield

Jeanette Streeter, Greenfield

Sisomphone Vongphakdy, South Deerfield

Susan Williams, Gill

Amanda Gladu, Belchertown

Traci Puckett, Northampton

Denise Roy, Easthampton

Amy Vachula,Westhampton

Gina Zanvettor ,Florence

LaShonda Devonish,W. Hartford

Matilda Kassela, Chicopee

Marystella Maende, Springfield

Tiffany Summers, Chicopee

Christina Colon, Holyoke

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