DOWNEY – Twenty-seven students graduated from Downey Adult School’s Vocational Nursing program last month, officially launching new careers in healthcare. “I can’t emphasize how important you will be to the healthcare system of this nation,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, the event’s keynote speaker. “You will not only offer medical care, but hope, letting your patients know they are not alone at times when they need your help the most.”

The graduation ceremony took place inside the Harriett Paine Event Center at Downey Adult School, and also included remarks from Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia and new Downey Councilman Sean Ashton.

“The need for skilled healthcare workers has never been greater in California,” Garcia said. “You are proof that it is never too late to change your life and your path.”

Students who graduated completed their course and clinical requirements, making them eligible to take the state exam to become licensed vocational nurses.

In addition to their course studies and clinical hours, the students also volunteered at local health fairs and with physicians who administer health exams for high school student-athletes free of charge.

After receiving their diplomas, students were presented their nursing pins and recited the Nursing Pledge. They also participated in a candle lighting and rose ceremony.

The candle lighting symbolizes “knowledge, enlightenment, experience and hope. The light will always shine brightly as a symbol of the care and devotion the nurse administers to the sick and injured.”

The rose symbolizes “the perfection that exemplifies the integrity, dependability, unity and high ideals necessary in the practice of nursing.”

This year’s graduating class includes Carlos Aguilar, Karla Andino, Samantha Brady, Brittany Camacho, Gloria Cuevas, Buntha Dum, Kimberly Fuentes, Marilyn Garcia, Richard Horky, Mary Jacobs, Kamisia Jones, Ashley Langarica, Beridiana Martinez, Elizabeth Medina, Tiffany Ostrander, Stephanie Pinedo, Meagan Quesada, Ernesto Rojas, Tina Srun, Jesse Umana, Michael Vasquez, Claudia Velasquez, Mayra Veloz, Ashly Wright, Yueguang Wu, Rene Zavala and Xiucai Zhou.

Nursing instructors included Mariana Pacheco, RN, MSN; Summer Allen, RN, BSN; Rosalina Vicencio, RN, BSN; and Gale Mejico, RN.

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Published: Jan. 1, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 38