Twenty students from the Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Practical Nursing Programs based at the BOCES Career and Technical Education Centers at Belmont and Olean received graduation pins and diplomas during a special ceremony held on Friday, June 7, 2019, at 7 p.m. at Allegany-Limestone Central School. Catherine Tomerlin, BSN, RN, Lead Instructor of Practical Nursing, served as mistress of ceremonies and introduced students who received their graduation pins and diplomas from Joan Weinman, RN, Belmont Instructor and Kim Howard, MSN, RN, Olean Instructor.
The event commemorated their completion of the two-year program. All of the BOCES nursing program graduates are now eligible to sit for the New York and Pennsylvania State Practical Nursing Licensing Examinations.
BOCES graduates pictured left to right: front row - Lorice F. McKenzie, Coudersport, PA; Megan A. Billings, Wellsville, NY; Chelsey L. Hoopes, Friendship, NY; Devin M. Jacobs, Wellsville, NY; Alicia N. Accurso, Olean, NY; Monica L. Callahan, Bradford, PA; Kara N. Cole, Portville, NY; Tonya M. Stanford, Olean, NY; Becca L. Schwab, Eldred, PA; Heather M. Rounsville, Olean, NY; and Laura J. Balcerzak, Hinsdale, NY; back row - Melissa R. Wlasniewski, Andover, NY; Jessica E. Wilson, Belmont, NY; Jonnie R. Stuck, Friendship, NY; Kaitlyn R. Anderson, Scio, NY; Ashlynn K. Matteson, Wellville, NY; Jessica R. Salmonson, Wellsville, NY; Heather M. Anderson, Scio, NY; Lisa M. Gariepy, Bradford, PA; and Cortney J. Taylor-Cornelius, Black Creek, NY.
Graduates receiving special awards included:
- Academic Excellence – Jessica R. Salmonson, Belmont; Monica L. Callahan, Olean
- Excellence in Clinical Practice – Ashlynn K. Matteson, Belmont; Alicia N. Accurso, Olean
- Perfect Attendance - Year 1 – Devin Jacobs, Belmont; Lisa M. Gariepy, Olean
- Perfect Attendance – Year 2 – Laura J. Balcerzak and Heather M. Rounsville, Olean
- Exceptional Attendance – Year 1 – Ashlynn K. Matteson, Belmont; Laura J. Balcerzak,
- Monica L. Callahan, and Heather M. Rounsville, Olean
- Exceptional Attendance – Year 2 – Alicia N. Accurso and Monica L. Callahan, Olean
- Highest Score on the NCLEX-PN Readiness Assessment Test – Monica L. Callahan, Olean
- Highest Individual Score at the Pharmacology Challenge – Jessica E. Wilson, Belmont
