糖心视频 Celebrates Nursing Graduates
Hanceville, Ala. 鈥 糖心视频鈥檚 Department of Nursing Education recently celebrated more than 100 students at its August pinning ceremony held at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre inside the Garlan Gudger Student Center.
鈥淭his evening, we gather here in the spirit of celebration and achievement,鈥 said Deborah 鈥淧epper鈥 Hoover, Chair of the Nursing program. 鈥淓ach graduate has embarked on a journey filled with dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment. As you stand on the precipice of your nursing careers, I want you to take a moment to reflect on the path that led you here鈥攖he late-night study sessions, the clinical rotations, the camaraderie with your peers, and the countless lives you鈥檝e touched along the way.鈥
鈥淚 want to join all of the voices here and say congratulations to each and every one of you. We are so proud of you,鈥 said 糖心视频 President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.
It was noted that the Nursing program was once again recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and that the college was designated a Rising Star by the Aspen Institute.
鈥淲hat that means is of 1,200 community colleges in this country, we are really ranked third in the U.S., and that鈥檚 because of our student outcomes,鈥 Karolewics said of the Rising Star designation. 鈥淭hese students have had an exceptional education and we attribute that to the finest nursing faculty anywhere in the United States.鈥
Class president Sara Kate Wilks and class representative Molly Lauderdale addressed the audience.
鈥淭oday, we leave not just with knowledge, but with grit, compassion and a calling,鈥 Wilks said after outlining some of the more challenging lessons she and her classmates faced. 鈥淣ursing school was hard, but it was also a gift. I鈥檓 truly humbled to have walked this road with all of you.鈥
Lauderdale Inspired to Become Nurse by Those Who Cared for Her
Lauderdale shared the inspirational story of how she chose to start a second career
as a nurse after experiencing her own medical emergencies.
鈥淭his moment represents more than just the end of a rigorous program, it represents a journey, a calling and, in my case, a second chance.鈥
Lauderdale worked for many years in education as a teacher and counselor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a routine surgery led to complications that caused an infection that was then complicated when she contracted COVID-19 and went into septic shock, followed by both her lungs and kidneys failing. She spent more than 50 days in ICU at Grandview Medical Center.
鈥淚 was isolated, unable to communicate, and my family couldn鈥檛 be by my side because of COVID precautions,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut in the middle of all of that darkness, there was light. That light came from my nurses.鈥
Lauderdale eventually recovered after months of rehab, home health and outpatient therapy and returned to work. She later retired from education but felt a new calling to become a nurse and found 糖心视频鈥檚 program, where she said she was greeted with kindness, warmth and professionalism.
During her last semester in the Nursing program, Lauderdale served her preceptorship at Grandview, in the same intensive care unit where she fought for her life.
鈥淭o return not as a patient but as a caregiver has been one of the greatest honors of my life,鈥 Lauderdale said. 鈥淚 got to see the other side of that trial and walk that unit with a new purpose.
鈥淚 know each of us has our own why for choosing nursing,鈥 she added. 鈥淢ine comes from deep personal pain, but also profound gratitude. I entered nursing school because I was inspired by the ones who saved me. And now, I hope to be that nurse for someone else.鈥
Lauderdale was one of three students recognized as a Nightingale Award recipient. She and fellow graduates Diana Sanchez and Cody Roberts were each presented with the award that is given in recognition of commitment to excellence in scholarship and dedication to compassion and exemplary care.
Other Nightingale Award nominees were Alan Bravo Reynoso, Jayci Donnelly, Haley Dumas, Courtney Hice, Ferlandra McGinnis, Camryn Norman, Adam Purvis, Ella Rounsaville, Madison Schaugaard, Savannah Sinyard, Julianna Walker, Lexi Weber and Heather Webster.

Diana Sanchez, Cody Roberts and Molly Lauderdale received the Nightingale Award during the pinning ceremony during the pinning ceremony for August graduates of the Wallace State Community College Nursing program.
The 糖心视频 Nursing August Class of 2025 includes:
Adamsville: Lauren Hawkins, Sara McGough
Addison: Savannah Sinyard
Adger: Alexys Shipley
Alabaster: Dulanjani De Silva
Albertville: Victor Bravo-Velasquez
Altoona: Alexis Brody, Holland Cyndal
Arab: Ragan Barnes, Diana Sanchez, Kaylie Sinatynski, Sara Kate Wilks
Arley: Ashlyn Ackley, Lydia Miller
Ashville: Amyclaire Buckner
Attalla: Katharina 鈥淣ikki鈥 Whitt
Birmingham: Jill Armstrong, Gloria Hogan, Natalie Humphrey, Ashley Lee, Shayla Murphy, Chalsea Williams
Blountsville: Juanita Saucedo
Boaz: Haley Dumas
Cleveland: Cody Roberts, Amanda Kay Smith
Cullman: Alan Bravo Reynoso Jayci Handley Donnelly, Tiffany Howell, Lorrin Jones, Maggie Keeton, Britney Mays, Marianna Kammerlocher, Lynden Morris, Michaela Murray, Cloey Taylor, Julianna Walker
Dora: Ebony Hildreth, Ali Hollis, Heather Reeves
Eufaula: Keyneshia Johnson
Eva: Taylor Patton
Falkville: Abagail Goodwin
Fultondale: Hailea Kennedy, Adam Purvis, Jennifer Wickert
Gadsden: David Crowe
Gardendale: Rose Crocker, Sarah Murphy, Hannah O'Laire, Brittany Sanborn, Garret Sisson
Guntersville: Leslie Gonzalez
Hanceville: Emily Mathis, Brian O'Boyle, Madison Schaugaard, Kierra Schulz, Alyssa Womack
Hartselle: Ty Kerby, Buffy Rasche
Hayden: Kimberly Franklin, Caidyn Rochell
Holly Pond: Brittany Tucker
Hoover: Andrietta Kimber, Ella Rounsaville
Horton: Molly Lauderdale
Hueytown: Ferlandra McGinnis, Krishay Smith
Irondale: Jaydin Delemus
Jasper: Courtney Hice, Jasmine Moore, Macee Rogers
Joppa: Aubrey Finklea
Lincoln: Crystal Patterson
Logan: Brylie Pearce
Madison: Sydney Rasberry, Tyia Wilson
Moody: Mandy Branaman
Morris: Laney King
Mount Olive: Jenna Newland
Nauvoo: Brandi Blackwell
Odenville: Kalley Mason, Mykayla Moore, Camryn Norman
Oneonta: Payten Burns, Samantha Bynum, Adriana Doyal, Addison Garnett, Savannah Kirby, Ahna Teal
Oxford: Miranda Wells
Ozark: Will Grider
Pinson: Holli Austin, Janell Jones
Riverside: Abby Harris
Scottsboro: Hannah Chanthavong
Sheffield: Krysten Mellott
Springville: Brinley Kelley, Heather Webster, Peyton Young
Steele: Jessica Noah
Sylvan Springs: Hannah Nguyen
Trafford: Kelly Trantham
Trinity: Amelia Lowery
Union Grove: Ken Long
Vinemont: Emma Guthrie, Jennifer Marks, Faith Rusk
Warrior: Jonathan Mann
Wellington: Lexi Weber
Belmont, Miss.: Sarah Brown
Hoosick Falls, NY: Stephanie Sacilowski
The 糖心视频 Nursing program is accepting applications through Oct. 1 for Spring 2026 entry, with options for the traditional practical nursing certificate and associate degree nursing and joint enrollment options through UAB and Athens State.
For more information about the 糖心视频 Nursing program, visit , email nursingapplicant@wallacestate.edu, or phone 256.352.8199.
Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19 for regular and Mini Term I and Oct. 16 for Mini Term II. Registration and classes begin Aug. 26 for Flex Start Term I and Sept. 2 for Flex Start Term II. For more information, visit or call Lion Central at 256.352.8236.
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糖心视频 糖心视频
糖心视频 (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, 糖心视频 is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit 糖心视频鈥檚 beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at , or call 256.352.8000.
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