05/14/26
Gadsden State Health Sciences Division holds pinning ceremony
Centre, Ala. – The Gadsden State Community College Health Sciences Division recognized students earning their associate degree in Registered Nursing during a pinning ceremony held May 7, 2026, at the Richard Lindsey Auditorium on the Gadsden State Cherokee Campus. The 55 students will receive the associate in applied science in Registered Nursing during commencement exercises May 14, 2026, at Gadsden State Cherokee.
“The RN pinning ceremony is a meaningful milestone for our graduates, their loved ones, and everyone involved in the Nursing Program,” said Dr. Cynthia Mullinax. “These students have worked tirelessly through an intensive nursing curriculum, and we are confident they are fully prepared to enter the healthcare field as skilled, safe, and capable registered nurses.”
Students receiving their pin include:
Altoona – Kathryn Grayson
Anniston – Kyndal Alvarez, Nakia Birdsong, Britney Conway, Tyara Jones, Deborah Magouirk, Lisa Montgomery, and Raegan Nunez
Arab – Kathryn Langley
Attalla – Hannah Hufstetler, Macie Hunt, Kaitlyn Nelms, and Matthew Vasser
Carrollton, Ga. – Allison Farmer
Cedartown, Ga. – Maria Escutia
Centre – Alicia Benson, Yolanda Harp, and Briley Hincy
Crossville – Kaleigh Butler
Eastaboga – Kylie Kiker
Fort Payne – Cherri Burt
Gadsden – Alyah Jackson, Terri McCain, Danasha Simpkins, Ashley Sjoerdsma, Celeste Taylor, Makya Wilson, and Rosita Zendejas
Glencoe – Savannah Rogers
Heflin – Kayleigh Lee
Hokes Bluff – Savannah Griffin
Leesburg – Ashley Privett
Munford – Ashley Joyce
Ohatchee – Abigail Read
Oxford – Alyssia Garrett
Piedmont – Shasta Benitez, Amelia Nixon, Anna Pace, Brooklyn Reid, and Brianna Taylor
Rainbow City – Haleigh Graves and Sidney Vance
Rome, Ga. – Ashton Brewster, Ashley Camp, Anel Jacobo, Tricia Kines, Jessica Lopez, and Abbie Roberson
Silver Creek, Ga. – Ashlie Watson
Southside – Meredith Keener and Jackson Sims
Summerville, Ga. – Kiley Smith and Madison Smith
Temple, Ga. – Judith Timmons
Weaver – Cheryl Hendrickson
Students presented with awards for achievement during the ceremony included Kayleigh Lee, recipient of the highly coveted Florence Nightingale Award, which is given to the student who is the most committed to caring and compassionate nursing care.
The Excellence in Academic Achievement was presented to Abigail Read, who had the highest grade point average in the class.
Students awarded the Academic Achievement Award for having at least a 3.0 GPA are Kyndal Alvarez, Ashton Brewster, Cherri Burt, Kaleigh Butler, Savannah Griffin, Haleigh Graves, Cheryl Hendrickson, Briley Hincy, Hannah Hufstetler, Macie Hunt, Alyah Jackson, Meredith Keener, Kathryn Langley, Kayleigh Lee, Deborah Maqouirk, Kaitlyn Nelms, Amelia Nixon, Reagan Nunez, Anna Pace, Brooklyn Reid, Jackson Sims, Ashley Sjoerdsma, Judith Timmons, Sidney Vance, Ashlie Watson, Makya Wilson, and Rosita Zendejas.
Six students were recognized for completing the Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program, which provides nursing students with the ability to earn while participating in on-the-job learning as a student nurse apprentice at a registered apprenticeship employer. Graduating participants are Shasta Benitez, Tyara Jones, Anna Pace, Danasha Simpkins, Ashley Sjoerdsma, and Brianna Taylor.
For more information about Gadsden State’s Nursing Program, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Nursing.
Photos from the ceremony can be found HERE.
