This document summarizes the pinning ceremony for the 2010 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and Practical Nursing (PN) program at Fortis College School of Nursing. It provides the names and hometowns of the 23 ADN graduates and 15 PN graduates, as well as short thank you messages, favorite quotes, memories and advice from each graduate. It concludes with a prayer for nurses.
18. Allyson Buskirk Hometown: Stow, OH Type of Nursing: Registered- finally!!! Thank You’s: To Mom & Dad- I could not have done this without your constant love and support-You have set the examples that guide my life everyday-I love you both so much To Michael– You are my most awesome cheerleader-I am so lucky to have crossed your path, I Love You. Annon-I hope I have set a good example for you. Benny-Mommy loves you-Thank You for understanding Favorite quote: “That which does not kill you makes you stronger” Favorite school memory: Tammy and the birdhouse sweatshirt and the cricket! Favorite school friendship: All you girls who made me laugh until I cried. Advice to future students: Have a positive attiitude and be a positive role model always!
19. DanicaDePaolo Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio Type of Nursing: (Registered) Nurse Thank You’s: Mama- you are my rock- I couldn’t have done it without you- I love you! Favorite school memory: Tammy and the bird shirt at psych clinicals Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”- Gandhi Favorite school friendship: Tammy Steckel and a number of others Advice to future students: You can achieve anything if you want it bad enough.
20. Sonja Flynn Hometown: Norton, Ohio Type of Nursing: Registered Nursing Thank You’s: Thank you mom, for your inspiration. Favorite quote: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and in all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path.”-Proverbs 3:5-6 Favorite school memory: ICU/CCU clinicals Favorite school friendship: Michelle Stover & Priscilla Parker Advice to future student: It will be…okay!
21. CarmelliaHagedorn Hometown: Akron Thank You’s: I thank God for his blessings and my family for all their help and understanding. I Love you all! Favorite quote: From Psych- “Think, Feel, do!” Favorite school memory: Dr. Viola tossing oranges out to students Advice to future students: Hang in there, you really make it through!
22. Gail James Hometown: Canton, Ohio Type of Nursing: Registered Nurse Thank You’s: Thank you Leo, Ed, Mom, Bonnie & Ed, Dad, Shallyn, Tobey, Collette, Papa & Grammy & Aunt Terrie for all of the love and support you have given me these past 15 months. Not only did I do this for myself…I did this for you! Jill-wouldn’t have been able to do it without you by my side! Favorite quote: “Yes, we can!”-BarackObama Favorite school memory: Gnomes, the Swan, and Today! Favorite school friendship: Jill Advice to future students: Study hard & be flexible!
23. Shannon Moore Hometown: Kent/Ravenna, Ohio Type of Nursing: Registered Nursing Thank You’s: To my family and friends for being supportive Favorite quote: “Failure is not an option” Advice to future students: Good Luck!
24. Jill Porter Hometown: Suffield, Ohio Type of Nursing: Medical/Surgical Thank You’s: To my boys for being so understanding when I had to miss all of your games and activities. To my husband Wayne, for all your support. To my Mom and Mark for making sure Kevin and Ryan got everywhere they needed to be and had everything they needed when they got there. Thanks to all my family! To my friends Kristen, Gail, and Lori for always being there for me Favorite quote: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”- Plato Favorite School Memory: Drawing Dr. Dul’s blood in Microbiology Favorite school friendship: Gail, I couldn’t have made it without you!
25. Marchella Starks Hometown: Lordstown, Ohio Thank You’s: I would like to thank my husband, my children, and my family for believing in me and supporting me through this stressful time. Favorite quote: “Sounds like a plan” Advice to future students: Believe in yourself
26. Tammy Steckel Hometown: Streetsboro Type of Nursing: Registered Nurse Thank You’s: Mom, Dad, and Natalya from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for all your love and support and prayers! I couldn’t have done it without you! Favorite quote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times!”-Charles Dickens Favorite school memory: The last day of School!!!!! Favorite school friendship:DanicaDePaolo Advice to Future Students: Never give up!
27. Lacey Stoops Hometown: Hubbard, Ohio Type of Nursing: OB Thank You’s: Words cannot describe how thankful I am for my family who supported me through the rough road. I thank you all for the sacrifices you rendered to help me to accomplish my dreams. Favorite school friendship: Melissa Welker Advice to future students:Never stop dreaming, Believe in yourself!
28. Michelle Stover Hometown: Akron, Ohio Thank You’s: To my family and friends for their support, especially my husband without him, I would not be here today. Favorite Quote: “All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”-Walt Disney Favorite school friendships: Sonja Flynn, Priscilla Parker, and Shannon Moore Advice to future students: It will happen
29. Melissa Welker Hometown: Diamond, Ohio Type of Nursing: OB Thank You’s: To my family: This has been a long challenging journey for all of us. I just want you all to know that I appreciate each and everyone of you and all the sacrifices you have made so I could be where I am today! Thank you and I LOVE YOU! Favorite quote: “Sounds like a plan”-Mrs. Cox Favorite school friendship: Lacey Advice to future students: Hang in there. It may seem like you won’t reach your goal, but you will! Good Luck!
54. Dashah Adams Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Type of Nursing: OB Thank You’s: My family for support. Carrie Wissmar, Mrs. Gamblin, Mr. Villwock, and special thanks to my Mom. I love you so much. Thanks for everything and my son , I love you I did it Baby! Favorite school friendships: Mary H., Maia T, Del B, Ali B, Megan and the rest! Advice to future students: Just study in the time you can.
55. Del Bolger Hometown: Akron, Ohio Thank You’s: My beautiful fiancé Kim for standing by me through all this. I love you Honey Bunny! Mrs. Wissmar, Mrs. Sombrio, Mrs. Weible, Mrs. Gamblin, Mrs. Harp, Mr. Villwock, Mrs. Barkley, Mrs. Lee, Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Mansour, Mrs. Bachus, Mrs. Valenti, and Ms. Finney Favorite School Memory: Watching Megan’s actual “NG” tube insertion on herself and gagging. Favorite Quote: My favorite heavy metal band “Black Stool” Favorite School Friendship: Megan, Dave, Maia, Annette, Dawn, Dashah, Stacey, Christine, Eric, Crystal, Becky, Ashley, Mary, Laura, Ali Advice to future students: Make lots of flashcards, Don’t have a personal life
56. Alison Bradley Hometown: Middleburgh Hts, OH Thank You’s: Thank you to my Husband Dave Bradley and My Son Sean Bradley. My Family Karen Simms, Laoma Drushal, John & Rose Bradley, Jen and Ken Marchinko, and Eddie Makarek. I would also like to say a special thank you to Carrie Wissmar who is a great mentor of mine. Favorite Quote: “Sputnum” Favorite school memory: It’s OVER!!!! Favorite school friendship: Dashah Adams & Del Bolger Advice to future students: Breath! It will be over soon.
57. Crystal Case Hometown: Ravenna, OH Type of Nursing: Trauma Thank You’s: My husband, Justin, and children, Nate and Maddison for all their support. My Mom and brother Jerry for always babysitting while I had clinicals. Favorite Quote: “I’m not a chemist” Favorite School memory: To many to list Favorite school friendship: Becky, Ashley, and Mary Advice to future students: Study, and then study even more.
58. Ashley Childers Hometown: Silver Lake, Ohio Type of Nursing: Oncology PEDS Thank You’s: My Mother Jill and father Rick for being 100% supportive and Rosie for telling me every night it’s almost over and you will pass your test tomorrow! Favorite school memory: Graduating Favorite school friendship: Crystal, Becky, and Mary Advice to future students: Keep your head up it will be over before you know it.
59. Megan Elting Hometown: Kent, Ohio Thank You’s: My wonderful and supportive parents, my brother and sister, My Aunts Margie and Marilyn for inspiring me to become a nurse. My Grandmothers for making me a strong woman. My friends from class and all of the wonderful and supportive instructors. Favorite Quote: “I am not a chemist” Favorite school memory: Right now! Favorite school friendships: Del and Stacy Advice to future students: Stay stong, it will be over soon.
60. Rebecca Frankish Hometown: Northfield, Ohio Type of Nursing: OB Thank You’s: My husband Tim and children Mikaylah, Timmy, and Jack for your support and encouragement. My Mom and Dad and Sisters Missy, Jenny, and Kimmy for babysitting. Favorite quote: “ I’m not a chemist!” Favorite school memory: The wonderful friends I made here! Thank you for all your help and support! Love you! Favorite school friendship: Ashley and Crystal
61. Dave Hawkins Thank You’s: To my wife LeeAnn, my Father and Mother to all my wonderful instructors and the students who helped me grow. Favorite quote: Eric’s “Whatever” Favorite school memory: Passing the first term. Favorite school friendship: Del Advice to future students: Read and outline chapters
62. Mary Hudec Hometown: Akron, Ohio Type of Nursing: Psychiatric Thank You’s: My Mom, Daughter and Friends, FCR Putting up with me- and for their prayers!! My Dog, Vespucci, for not chewing up my books or destroying my computer; and to my many new friends. Favorite quote: All things are possible with God Favorite school memory: Graduation Day Favorite school friendship: Dashah, Crystal (my surrogate little sis) Ashley, Stacey, Becky, and all the students in our class) Advice to Future Students: Just take one day at a time.
63. Dawn Leidtke Hometown: Suffield, Ohio Type of Nursing: Licensed Practical Thank You’s: To my children Katrina, Jonathan and a special thank you to my new husband Paul for always supporting my goal. To my clinical group, Mary, Maia, Dashah, Christine, for all there supporting guidance. Favorite school memory: Passing HESI exit exam Favorite school friendships: My clinical group Advice to future students: Take it one day at a time, you can do anything you set your mind on.
64. Anastasia Parker Hometown: Sandusky, MI Type of Nursing: Interest in Critical Care Thank You’s: My husband James for being my rock through the tough 15 months of school and being my second biggest fan. Dear friend Laura for her moral support and help. My family for their love and support, especially my mother-in-law for all her trips from MI to babysit. I love you all very much Favorite quote: Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost. Favorite school memory: The End! Favorite school friendship: Laura and Megan Advice to future students: Study hard and make this experience a priority in your life. It really does go by fast!
65. Christine Rios Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, OH Type of Nursing: Pediatrics, Cardiology, Psych, Urology Thank You’s: A HUGE thank you to my boys, Nick, and Mario! Thank you for your support and being the kindest boys ever! You two are amazing! Thank you Kristen Gayle and family for all your help and positive, kind words! Mom- Thanks for always encouraging me to finish. Dad- Thanks for your kindness and support! You’re the best! Michelle, you are an amazing sister you have encouraged me and supported me through it all. I love all of you! Favorite quote: Autumn leaves, God never does! Favorite school memory: Mrs. Weible said: “Shut up Christine Rios! Annette says: “I’ll fight a fool!” Favorite school friendship: Kristen Gayle, Annette Robinson, Misty Connelly, Dawn Leidtke, Maia Tcholakova, and Mary Hudec. Advice to future students: Always think positive, you can do it!
66. Annette Robinson Hometown: Akron, Ohio TThank You’s: -John, Lindsey, David, Andrew, Hayden, Linda, and Lynn you were all so very supportive of me! My sister Angie I love you, My brothers, Gerry, Greg, Jason, Peter, and Jamie I love you all. Favorite School Memory: Ashley’s ½ stick of butter! Kristen and her Panera beeper. Favorite school friendship: Christine Rios, Laura Thompson, Stacey Parker, Misty Connelly, Kristen Gayle, Maia Tcholakova Advice to future students: Never give up! Option is not an option!
67. Maia Tcholakova Hometown: Bulgaria Type of Nursing: LPN Thank You’s: To my husband Angel and my two sons, Baiazit and Aroon for their love, support and patience. To my friends believing in me and my teachers who helped me in this hard journey. Favorite Quote: "Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true". / by Leon J. Suenes/ Favorite school friendship: Mary, Christine, Dawn, Dashah, Dave, Del, and Annette
68. Laura Thompson Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Thank You’s: My husband Randy for helping me through the worst moments and celebrating my accomplishments. To my family and friends for their support and understanding. Annette for making the drive to Alliance adventures. Stacie for keeping my feet grounded in class and motivation. Thank you, Love all of you so much. I couldn’t have done this without you. Favorite quote: Live, Love, Laugh often Favorite school friendship: Stacie, Megan, Annette, Ali Advice to future students: There is an end, take it one day at a time.
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70. Prayer for a Nurse Long before you entered nursing The Lord had played His part, Planting seeds of love and kindness In the portals of your heart. For it's clear that you've been gifted With a sympathetic ear, And blessed from the beginning With a willingness to cheer. And the people who you care for Are better off by far, When they're touched by your compassion, By the person that you are. For in times of woe and worry When they're frightened or they're blue, No one could be more consoling than the friend they'll find in you.