With a Flip of Their Tassels, VN Students Graduate
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With a Flip of Their Tassels, VN Students Graduate

Aug 1, 2016

On Thursday, July 14th, 2016, the Jewish Home’s Annenberg School of Nursing (ASN) celebrated its eighth graduating class of vocational nursing students. The Class of 2016 proudly took the stage in the Grancell Village Activities Center as their families, friends, and co-workers cheered them on.

Graduate Laura Faridi welcomed the audience. “This day seemed so far away when we began. Quiz by quiz, test by test, and final by final (and there were many), the conclusion of our journey is finally here. We’ve built friendships, supported each other through the trials, tribulations and triumphs, and made it to graduation together.” She also extended thanks to the ASN faculty and staff, donors who support the school, and, of course, all the families and friends who helped make the students’ success possible.

Monien Ibarra, Class President, spoke on behalf of the students. “We will continue to be strong advocates for those we will care for and whose lives will be entrusted to us.” She also shared a quote from one of her favorite doctors, Dr. Seuss: “To the world you may be one person; but to that one person you may be the world.”

Valedictorian Lizbeth Lopez expressed thanks to her mother for her support. “While going to school full-time, I also worked a few days each week at the Home. My mother, who worked two jobs, helped out with my four-year-old daughter so I could have the time I needed to study.” Her mother’s support helped Lizbeth earn a gold cord for having the highest grade point average in the class.

Laura Faridi and Cassandra Candia received blue cords signifying perfect attendance throughout the 12-month program. Laura also earned a red cord for the prestigious Florence Nightingale award. The recipient of this award is selected by the class and honors the individual who best exemplified the ideals of nursing: knowledge, integrity, flexibility, strong work ethic, leadership, honesty, and humor. “It’s an honor to be recognized by my classmates,” said Laura. “This says a lot about the relationships we built and how well we worked together as a team.”

After receiving their certificates, the graduates received their class pins and took part in the lamp lighting ceremony in honor of Florence Nightingale. The lamps signify providing comfort and light in a place of darkness and passing the light of knowledge to others; represent the light and enlightenment that comes with knowledge; and affirm the student’s decision to pursue a career in nursing.

Thank you to the dedicated ASN faculty and staff for their commitment to providing excellence in education for their students: Marie Cordeiro, director; Dr. David Cooper, instructor; Barbara Bridges, clinical instructor; Myrna clinical instructor; Barbara Noblet, financial aid coordinator; and Cindy Thomas, admissions coordinator.

The Annenberg School of Nursing will welcome the vocational nurse Class of 2017 with classes beginning this month. Nurse assistant and home health aide programs are ongoing. For more information, please contact Cindy Thomas at (818) 757-4460 or visit the ASN website at www.asn.edu.

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