News Release

IWV, ESCC, & SK Campus

CCCC To Hold Student Vocational Nurses Graduation

Ridgecrest, CA – April 13, 2006

graduating Cerro Coso Community College Vocational Nursing Students
The graduating Cerro Coso Community College Vocational Nursing Students are: (Front Row, L-R) Lucy Fulton, Ella Damron, Dawn Petrovic, JoJo Banting, MiWha Chicoine,Willi Walters, and Megan Josey. (Back Row, L-R) Mima Krainovic Veronica Perkins, Micki Hanley, and Leslie O'Neill.

Success has been achieved by 11 Student Vocational Nurses at the Cerro Coso Community College, IWV Campus. A formal Graduation and Capping Nursing Ceremony will be held at Desert Christian Center, 100 E. Bataan Ave., Ridgecrest from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006.

"This dedicated nursing group is made up of nine students from Ridgecrest, one from Lone Pine, and one from California City," stated Mary Kowalski, Director of Nursing. The nursing graduates will also participate in the Cerro Coso Community College Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 12th wearing the traditional cap and gown which will be accentuated by a white stole embroidered with blue, bearing the College and nursing insignia.

"The nursing ceremony is a well-known and honored event. Students start planning for this ceremony very early in their three-semester intense and comprehensive program," continued Kowalski. Guest speakers include two Registered Nurses from the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, Pam Glanz and Kimber Landeck. The nursing students often commented to their theory and clinical instructors, Mary Kowalski, RN and Cheryl Gates, RN, that these two Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Registered Nurses always showed the students great patience, assistance, and support during their clinical training experiences.

The highlight of the ceremony is always the candle-lighting and recitation of the Nursing Pledge. Families and friends come from near and far to see the ceremony. The nursing capping and the Nightingale Ceremony remain a treasured part of the total student nursing experience. Formal recognition is provided to the graduates and to their families and friends, who supported them during their numerous hours in the books or at clinical facilities. The ceremony provides validation that the difficult and adventuresome college experiences have been achieved.

Pastor David Schad from Desert Christian Center will be giving the invocation and benediction. The Pink Ladies from Ridgecrest Regional Hospital will provide a reception after the ceremony. The public is invited to attend this joyous event.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Public Information (760) 384-6230