Submitted photo The Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES in partnership with the Cassadaga Jobs Corps announces its Licensed Practical Nursing Class of 2017, which held a commencement ceremony in Cassadaga on June 20, 2017. Front: Andrea Carreon, Tami Thompson, Nia Bailey, Anthony Morales, Delmy Gabriela Pineda Ramirez, Christy Braymiller, Shelby Gilman, Taila McNeill, and Luis Medina. Back: Christopher Gonzalez, Ariane Cyusa, Roger Weaver, Tricia Douglas, Pierre Alexander, Stormie Simmons, and Chelsea Sheffield.

CASSADAGA — An eager group of 16 young men and women marked the completion of their year-long Licensed Practical Nursing program in Cassadaga recently (Tuesday, June 20, 2017). The Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES School of Practical Nursing at the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy accepted this group from all over the country last year as they sought an opportunity to pursue a career that will affect their own lives, as well as the lives of the patients and families they treat.

Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered at Jefferson Hall, the former Cassadaga Community Baptist Church, to celebrate their hard work and dedication during the ceremony.

For the past 12 months they have studied, been tested, attended clinical rotations, completed job shadowing, and helped care for patients. They now prepare to take their licensure exam and begin searching for jobs. Many have already accepted offers in Chautauqua County and look forward to either staying in the area or making Western New York their new home.

The commencement opened with remarks from Job Corps Career Technical Training Manager Vicki Yonkers and E2CCB Healthcare Services Specialist Laura Bailey. The graduates — clad in white uniforms and holding lamps – then filed into the ceremony to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Guest speaker Jean Gustafson, BSN, provided the keynote address. She spoke about her own career path, and how becoming a nurse opened up many doors to her, and how she has utilized her skills and education to navigate a successful nursing career. Classmate Taila McNeill then showed a video commemorating the year the Class of 2017 spent together.

Valedictorian Tricia Douglas and salutatorian Delmy Gabriela Pineda Ramirez were recognized before the graduates were called up to receive their diplomas.

“Nursing school in itself is challenging, but being so far away from home makes it even harder,” said Douglas, who is originally from Jamaica. “There have been countless times where we felt like giving up and going home… But here we are today, ready for tomorrow’s challenges. Look how far we’ve come. There is something inside you bigger than any obstacle you face.”

Ariane Cyusa treated the class to a special song and was assisted by Pineda Ramirez, who interpreted the lyrics through American Sign Language. To conclude the ceremony, graduates and all nurses in attendance recited the Nurse’s Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to the profession and their patients.

Job Corps Academy Director Ann Anderson closed the ceremony by thanking families and friends for supporting the graduates and commended the class on never giving up.

“I’m so very, very proud of you,” said Anderson. “You didn’t give up on yourselves and you have this entire room of people who supported and believed and didn’t give up on you either.”

Local graduate nurses are Christy Braymiller of Dunkirk, Chelsea Sheffield of Fredonia and Tami Thompson of Irving. The rest of the graduates, Pierre Alexander, Nia Bailey, Andrea Carreon, Ariane Cyusa, Tricia Douglas, Shelby Gilman, Christopher Gonzalez, Taila McNeill, Luis Medina, Anthony Morales, Delmy Gabriela Pineda Ramirez, Stormie Simmons, and Roger Weaver, hail from elsewhere in New York and other states.

This partnership between the Adult Education & Workforce Development Division of the E2CCB and the Cassadaga Job Corps has helped hundreds secure careers as nurses or launched them into continued education and training to advance their careers. E2CCB provides the instruction, skill development and clinical experiences, while Job Corps provides the scholarship to eligible students to attend, as well as supportive services throughout the training period. Upon graduation, Job Corps continues follow-up and assists with placement services. For more information about the LPN program at the Job Corps, contact the admissions office at 595-4200 or visit http://cassadaga.jobcorps.gov. Learn more about E2CCB’s Adult Education & Workforce Development Division at www.e2ccb.org.

About Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES

The Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus (E2CC) BOCES is one of 37 BOCES in New York State. The E2CC BOCES represents all the school districts in Chautauqua County, southern Erie County, and part of Cattaraugus County, a geographical area of 1,791 square miles. Services are offered in the following areas: Adult Education & Workforce Development, Special Education, Alternative Education, Career & Technical Education, Staff & Curriculum Development, Instructional Support Services, Technology Services, Management Services, and others. For more information, visit www.e2ccb.org.