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
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Pittsfield's Paronto Perfect in Opener
iBerkshires.com Sports
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Pittsfield's Connor Paronto Friday fired a complete-game no-hitter to lead his Babe Ruth 16-year-old All-Star team to a 10-0 win over North Providence in the first game of the New England Regional.
Paronto sruck out six and did not allow a walk or a hit. Pittsfield also did not allow an error behind him to secure the perfect game.
“Connor was incredibly impressive today,” Pittsfield coach Ben Stohr said. “We had stellar defense, especially at shortstop where Luke Ferguson took away a couple potential infield hits.
“Connor finished with 71 pitches. Couldn’t have been any more efficient. Very proud of all of these guys with how they played defense behind him today.”
Paronto helped his cause by going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs at the plate.
Jackson Almeida and John Mullen also had two hits apiece in an 11-hit attack for Pittsfield.
Pittsfield starts pool play at the regional with a 1-0 record. It continues the tournament on Saturday against the hosts, Capital Area of Maine.
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