Dozens of Yavapai College graduates soon will be filling the ranks of registered nurses and radiologic technologists in healthcare centers locally and wherever their hero careers take them.
The 45 future nurses and 12 future “rad techs” successfully completed their coursework to earn Associate of Applied Science degrees. The YC graduates, who also must complete required licensing exams, were feted at separate pinning ceremonies earlier this month at the YC Prescott Campus.
At the “rad tech” ceremony on May 5, student speaker Ty Schroeder said the 2023 cohort overcame individual and group struggles to learn, grow and succeed together. “We as a cohort cannot wait to take what we’ve learned and experienced and use it to elevate the industry,” he said.
Like many of her fellow graduates, Kara Yazzie benefited from scholarships during a career-training journey she launched in 2007. Speaking at the rad-tech pinning ceremony on behalf of fellow scholarship recipients she said the Community Healthcare Scholarship “fueled my personal fire to do the best I possibly could.”
Her appreciation for the scholarship increased during clinicals when she was able to ease an anxious patient by speaking to him in Navajo. “I felt completely honored to have helped this elderly man on this day, and throughout the remainder of the program this instance would replay in my head, and I cannot help but think that if it was not for the Community Healthcare Scholarship donors, I would not have been in the position to help my people.”
YC’s spring nurse pinning ceremony took place on the birthday of nursing’s founder, Florence Nightingale, May 12. After receiving their pin from a loved one, nursing graduates light candles and recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge – a promise to be devoted to the welfare of others.
Ceremony speakers acknowledged the fortitude and sacrifices demanded of those who choose nursing careers while reminding them that their future success will require more than knowledge and skill.
“… What will make you wildly successful in this role and in life is being a good human,” YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine told the graduates. “Your character and integrity will take you places your talent cannot... Good humans and great nurses live their lives with integrity and grace, conduct their lives with purpose and give their best effort,” Rhine said.
In her remarks, YC Nursing Professor Maria Thomas encouraged graduates to continue learning, practicing resilience and believing in themselves as they transition from student to professional.
“You will be challenged, and you will stumble or fall at some point… When that happens, resilience is how well you bounce back.” Thomas said, adding, “Who you are has value. Don’t forget that… Never forget that you are capable, determined, perseverant, unique and amazing.”
Following is an alphabetical listing of the spring 2023 YC Nursing Program graduates:
Elizabeth Adame, Sirena Alvarez, Matthew Arvo, Cassandra Bailey, Ashley Bauer, Yadira Bautista-Burgos, Tanner Beaman, Victoria Burns, Lorena Camargo, Diana Cardoza, Rebecca Casper, Brendan Cassidy, Will Cooper, Rhyann Davies, Michelle Diaz, Staci Fowler, Sarah Friesen, Cheyene Gabbard, Sandra Hauptman, Jill Hernandez, Erika Jourdier, Julianna Kamholz, Tyler Kirkeeng, Sarah Kramer, Destiney Lewis, Maria Mansky, Natalie Martinez, Sierra McDonald, Abigail Mendoza Pina, Lee Neiman, Guadalupe Ocampo, Megan Palmer, Carrie Parker, Shaena Ramirez, Alex Reeves, Alexa Rodriguez, Patricia Sanchez, Ashleigh Thompson, Andrea Torres, Gina Tury, Ryan Wagner, Tyler Weatherly, Nicole Welker, Tori Winsberg, Kenzie Yarbrough.
Following is an alphabetical listing of the spring 2023 YC Radiologic Technology graduates:
Jonathon Cronin, Rachael Guidetti, Emily Harcus, Trevor Henkiel, Amanda Hoff-Felix, Lindsey Jones, Uriah Richards, McKayla Schilling, Ty Schroeder, Sara Tippett, Madison Ward, Kara Yazzie.
