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Graduates of BCC's two nursing programs were invited to a drive-through pinning ceremony to get their certificates and degrees.
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BCC Pinning Ceremony Recognizes Nursing Graduates

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BCC, like many other schools, has been forced to be creative in recognizing its graduates during the pandemic. The graduates have often put their own spin on the unusual ceremonies. See more photos here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Twenty-seven graduates of the practical nurse certificate program at Berkshire Community College and 57 associate degree in nursing graduates were recognized on Tuesday night for a combination drive-through and remote ceremony in order to observe social distancing protocols because to COVID-19.  
 
Ann Tierney, a nursing adviser, retired nurse practitioner and professor of nursing, addressed the practical nursing students while Lynn Geldert, with a background including critical care nursing and providing clinical instruction to nursing students, addressed the associate degree program graduates in the online portion of their ceremony.
 
The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition, dating back before the turn of the 20th century. Traditionally, nursing students have conducted an honors or pinning ceremony to mark the passage of student nurse role to practice role. It can be an emotional event that is shared with family, friends, faculty and others important to the students' education.
 
On a rainy Tuesday evening, graduates in the program were invited to drive around the college's circular driveway to receive their pins, certificates and diplomas.  
 
Graduates of the 10-month practical nursing program are eligible to sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam.
 
Pins and certificates were presented to the following graduates listed by town: 
 
Cheshire: Jacqueline A. King, Shelby L. Provencher
 
Dalton: Carmen Y. Quinde
 
Great Barrington: Morgan B. Formel
 
Lee: Michelle A. Schleimer
 
Lenox: Marybelle L. Burns
 
Pittsfield: Ciara M. Berkeley, Jamie L. Brown, Danielle A. Collette, Holya Ebiyatakyih, Cecilia A. Ebuley, Sarah M. Engle, Anne-Marie Ezoua, Amber Hertzberg, Hahna Kim, Ama S. Koblan Epse Ngoran, Ellen Laryea, Teressa N. LeBeau, Jacqueline C. Polynice, Ernestina Sackey, Kniesha M. Tarjick
 
Savoy: Jennifer L. Walker
 
Springfield: Kadian S. Anderson, Elizabeth Twum-Barima
 
Westfield: Selina M. Lopez
 
Windsor: Jonathan R. Bailey
 
Lakeville, Conn.: Valencia O. Phillips
 
Awards were presented to the following students: Clinical Excellence Award: Sara Engle, Academic Excellence Award: Marybelle Burns, Professionalism Award:  Ernestina Sackey, Spirt of Nursing Award: Jacqueline King.
 
 
 
The 51st annual ADN Pinning ceremony, sponsored by BCC's Student Nurse Organization, honored the following students who graduated on May 29, 2020:
 
Adams: Nataliya M. Houghton, Kelsy M. Nixon
 
Ashley Falls: Grace L. James
 
Clarksburg: Stephanie J. Rogers
 
Dalton: Courtney J. Corbett, Angelia M. Elser, Danielle. M Furlong, Elisabeth C. George, Alexi M. Liccardi, Amanda L. Nefreres, Renee M. Saville, Raegan B. Van Rumund, Shaina R. Weber
 
Hinsdale: Patricia A. O'Brien
 
Housatonic: Blythe A. Hinkley-Grady
 
Lanesborough: Michelle M. Gingras
 
Lee: Tyler V. Buratto
 
Leeds: Cheyenne D. Robair
 
Lenox: Suzanne J. Cotton
 
Lenox Dale: Kathryn M. Forbes
 
North Adams: Caitlin S. Gelineau, Nicole L. Maloney
 
Northampton: Ronald V. Cruz
 
Otis: Bryan E. Arnold
 
Pittsfield: Halimat O. Ahmed, Christine A. Ahoussi, Daniluz Aloyo-Hebert, Dorcas S. Archer, Michelle L. Bateman, Maribel Bednarski, Marie J. Blankson-Atte, Kortney M. Boos, Nicole M. Campos-Vasquez, Rosemary C. Carnes, Kayla J. Doyle, Alexandra M. Ely, Spencer E. Ferro, Alison E. Gregory, Amy L. Hunt, Nancy M. Klose, Jesse D. Kordana, Kelsey E. Lane, Brittany S. O'Donnell, Tomeka L. Parslow, Shila J. Vallencourt
 
Plainfield: Samantha M. Davis
 
Springfield: Luke A. Boasiako, Lucy M. Gichuhi
 
Tyringham: April A. Curtin
 
Williamstown: Alexandra W. Levinsky
 
Worthington: Fawn M. Mougin
 
Albany, N.Y.: Israel Rolly T. Muamba
 
Averill Park, N.Y.: Natalie E. Emery
 
Fort Johnson, N.Y.: Morganne T. Ottati
 
Millerton, N.Y.: Millie A. Trees
 
Portland, Maine: Andrew J. LaDouceur
 
Torrington, Conn.: Jack O'Meara
 

Tags: BCC,   graduation 2020,   nursing education,   pinning,   

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Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count.
 
The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others. 
 
Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former Hoffmann Bird Club president and longtime Christmas Bird Count participant. 
 
Bird watching is the most popular leisure time activity in the United States, said David Schaller, North County count compiler and a leader of Saturday's team. 
 
"It's a way to be outside. It's a way to connect with nature. It's good exercise. It's good mentally — you're trying to look at a bird and figure out what kind of bird it is," he said.
 
"For some participants in our group, it's a family tradition that is as important to them as other Christmas traditions."
 
This one-day activity is far more than that for many. It introduces new participants to a wealth of knowledge in environmental and natural science and can transform into a lifelong hobby because of its vast number of topics, Tyning said. 
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