2014 Nothern Maine Community College Nurses Pinning Ceremony

Thirty-three prospective new registered nurses celebrated a milestone recently as Northern Maine Community College held its annual pinning ceremony last Friday afternoon. 

The event signifies the official entrance into the nursing field for members of the graduating class.  The graduates are now eligible and prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain their license as registered nurses.

Approximately 250 family members, friends and college personnel gathered for the ceremony held at the Presque Isle Middle School.  The highlight of the event was the presentation of a pin to each graduate by relatives or close friends chosen for their important role as members of the student nurse’s support network.

Dr. Kimberly Esquibel, chair of the college’s nursing and allied health department, reflected on the hard work faced by student nurses and professional nurses.

NMCC President Timothy Crowley thanked the group for their contributions to the campus.

The guest speaker for the pinning ceremony was Janice Anderson, RN from Northern Maine Medical Center who also serves as an adjunct faculty member at NMCC.

Earning their nursing pin from the central Aroostook area are :  Amy Durepo, Jessica Lahey, James McCleary, and Joseph Mortland, all of Presque Isle; Angela Lopes, Kyle McEwen, Debby Page, and Mallory Thompson, all of Caribou; Jessica Bennett and Herb DeMerchant of Easton; Jenny McPherson and Dayna Michaud of Mapleton; Lisa Marie Plucker and Brianna Rideout of Washburn; Cynthia Grass and Marie Sanderson of Blaine; Robert Martinez of Fort Fairfield; Melissa McCrum of Mars Hill; and Midel Scott of Limestone.

Nursing graduates from the southern Aroostook region are: Nicole Clayton and Capt. Hilary Ellis of Houlton; Amy Brady of Patten; Tracy Kervin of Linneus; Vanessa LaFay of Oakfield; Elizabeth Stratton of Hodgdon; and Mandy Willett from Staceyville.

Nursing students graduating from the northern Aroostook area are:  Amanda Berube and Megan Ouellette of Van Buren; and Brandi Rossignol of Connor.

Those earning pins from outside the County are:  Chelby Cooper of Odell, N.B.; Autumn Doughty of Veazie; Bryan Pelkey of Mattamiscontis; and Tricia Schneider of Brownville Junction.