Fifteen Vocational Nursing students graduate from TSTC
Earlier this month, 15 Breckenridge students graduated with certificates of completion in Vocational Nursing from Texas State Technical College.
The local graduates included:
Danielle Burleson
April Clark
Lorna Copeland
Megan Gann
Jewelia Gattis
Brittani Haigwood
Donesha Johnson
Kursten Martinez
Morgan Petty
Micaela Price
Kayleen See
Lea Thompson
Stephanie Walters
Ashley Watson
Le’Teika Wilson
One of those Breckenridge students was April Clark, who will soon start working at Palo Pinto General Hospital. “This is a great feeling and a great stepping stone for me,” Clark said. “I’m ready to do my part to help people and make a positive impact on those battling illnesses.”
In addition to the nursing students, more than 100 graduates received other certificates and associate degrees at TSTC’s Fall 2019 Commencement on Monday, Dec. 9, at the Abilene Convention Center. Graduates from TSTC’s West Texas campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater were recognized.
For Industrial Systems Technology instructor Daniel Diaz, the commencement held a special place in his heart.
“This is the first group of students to graduate from our Industrial Systems program at the new Abilene campus with an associate degree,” he said. “It’s amazing to see how much these students have grown and that they are all graduating with great jobs. I am very proud of them.”
One of those students is Abilene native Randy Miller. Miller has started working for PrintPack, which is based out of Granbury.
“I loved this program and am very thankful for it and for my time at TSTC. But I am glad to be working,” Miller said.
TSTC Provost Rick Denbow said commencement is his favorite day of each semester.
“To say today is exciting is an understatement,” Denbow said. “These students have sacrificed and worked hard, and today is the day to celebrate all of that and see them take the next steps in life with a great job.”
For T.J. Mendez, who earned his certificate of completion in Emergency Medical Technology Basic, it was a great personal accomplishment.
“I started this year with a list of goals, and it is overwhelming that I have reached those goals,” Mendez said. “You just have to keep going and push through because it is worth it.”
For more information, log on to tstc.edu.
Information provided by Texas State Technical College
Cutline, top photo: More than 145 students received certificates or associate’s degrees at Texas State Technical College Fall 2019 Commencement on Dec. 9 in Abilene. (Courtesy photo)
