Forty six students graduated from Dutchess BOCES’ Practical Nursing Program at the Career & Technical Institute during a lively June 25 ceremony held in the Salt Point Center gym. Family, friends and teachers cheered loudly for the graduates as they received their certificates, participated in a candle lighting ceremony and recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge signifying the journey from first time student in the program to practical nurse. They are now eligible to take the New York State nursing licensure exam. Additionally, Rose Akyen, Rrita Berisha, Malcolm Estwick III, Sharmane Hogue, Moriah Risien, Lindiana Robinson and Savannah Shields were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Coordinator of Health Operations Joanne Williams congratulated the students, who were part of the largest graduating class since 2019. 
During their time together, they saw it all from one of their classmates getting engaged to endless nights of studying to being there for each other through victories and disappointments.
“As adult students you made a commitment to your education at BOCES, we know you all made sacrifices,” Williams said. “What is significant for all of you is a sense of accomplishment that you feel tonight and rightly so, because you made it.” Student representative Christine Mattson shared how she made a career change at 52 to study nursing with her husband’s support stating that people regret the things they never do. She praised classmates who struggled academically and financially, but soldiered on. “Every one of you has a unique story and has overcome your own personal obstacles,” Mattson said.
“Thank you for inspiring me, I’m so blessed to share this journey with you.” Estwick, who was named class valedictorian, chose nursing because he likes providing compassion and help for patients and will continue that work at The Pines at Poughkeepsie. He praised the instructors for helping him get to graduation. “The teachers did a really great job of helping us understand the material and helping us become the nurses we are today,” Estwick said. “It was very challenging and I definitely feel that I worked very hard for this.” Vinessa Varghese, who is deciding between working at assisted living facilities in Red Hook and Yorktown Heights, learned plenty during her time at BOCES and will miss her instructors and classmates. She shared this insight with anyone planning to attend the program. “It’s going to be really tough and you’re going to feel like you’re stressed, but it’s worth it,” Varghese said. “It definitely molded me into the nurse I’m going to be in the future.”
