On Monday, May 4, 2026, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a pinning ceremony at SRTC-Moultrie during which 54 Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students from the SRTC-Tifton and SRTC-Thomasville cohorts received their nursing pins. The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations. This class of nursing students is eligible to participate in SRTC’s formal graduation ceremony on July 29 and will officially be Registered Nurses (RN) pending the passage of their board exams.
The SRTC-Tifton ASN graduates include:
Layla Badillo, Haley Baker, Meg Branch, Maria Gachuz Zamorano, Lanie Gray, Laura Hardin, Denix Hernandez, Kyanna Holmes, Ty’Nique Holmes, Fania Melton, Leanna Mobley, Analyn Morrow, Kayleigh Peretz, Dusty Pickelsimer, Serena Prager Richbourg, Aimee Radford, Alyssa Riveiro, Alexandria Smith, Marlie Spivey, Kathryn Turner, Lauren Turner, Huy Vuong, and Taleah Wallace.
The SRTC-Thomasville ASN graduates include:
Sierra Ard, Leah Brady, Emily Burgess, Maggie Comerford, Jynijah Cooper, Steven Crook, Parker Faulkner, Taylor (Forte) Figueroa, Gabrielle Ford, Anne Marie Hawkins, Grace Jarvis, Destiny Jenkins, Lillian Johnson, Tijaniya Jones, Hannah Keene, Derrick Kemp, Mariah Lee, Jasmine Linder, Niya Louis, Purity McCloud, Erica McFadden, Debra Mills, Simran (Tidwell) Patel, Callie Scully, Sheila Simmons, Megan Thomas, Dianne Tompkins, Haylee Vansickle, Tankeria Whitaker, Charlotte Williams, and Leaundra Wood.
During the pinning ceremony, which symbolizes the rite of passage into the nursing profession, students received a pin and a small lamp. The pin reminds students of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. The lamp serves as a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing. In the nineteenth century, Nightingale was known as the "Lady with the Lamp," tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way.
At the ceremony, faculty members recognized several students for exceptional achievement during their time in the nursing program. Lanie Gray of the SRTC-Tifton cohort and Anne Marie Hawkins of the SRTC-Thomasville cohort received the Clinical Excellence Awards. This is a special award because their classmates vote on the recipients. These students have shown leadership among their classmates and are always willing to assist in the lab, in the clinical setting, and in study groups.
The Highest Exit Exam Award was given to Haley Baker of SRTC-Tifton and Derrick Kemp of SRTC-Thomasville for scoring the highest on the exit exam on the first attempt.
SRTC’s ASN faculty recognized Alyssa Riveiro of SRTC-Tifton and Jynijah Cooper of SRTC-Thomasville with the Nightingale Award. The ASN faculty established the Nightingale Award in recognition of an outstanding student who exemplifies the characteristics essential to the caring nature of nursing. The recipient is a person who always displays a positive attitude, is reflective of the college’s work ethic standards, epitomizes the carative nature of our profession, and consistently demonstrates gentleness, kindness, professionalism, and dedication.
Finally, the Leadership Award was presented to Ty’Nique Holmes of SRTC-Tifton and Anne Marie Hawkins of SRTC-Thomasville for their exemplary leadership throughout the year.
"These students have worked very hard to get to this milestone," said SRTC-Tifton ASN Faculty Mary Ortiz-Jordan, BSN, RN. "They pushed through late nights and early mornings, hours of studying, and mountains of paperwork. They overcame demanding coursework, clinical challenges, and whatever obstacles life threw at them — and they persevered. We are so proud of our ASN graduates and cannot wait to see the difference they will make."
SRTC-Thomasville ASN Faculty Terry Harper, MSN, BSN, RN, echoed that sentiment, adding, "This graduating class has proven itself to be remarkably dependable, consistently showing up prepared, accountable, and ready to serve. They demonstrate strong nursing skills grounded in sound clinical judgment, compassion, and attention to patient safety. Their professionalism and teamwork reflect a deep commitment to quality care and lifelong learning. As they enter the workforce, they are well prepared to be trusted members of the healthcare team."
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is designed to prepare students as entry-level practitioners to provide safe, effective nursing care and promote healthy transitions for diverse clients in a variety of settings. This program develops critical thinking, integrates accumulated knowledge from nursing, the sciences, and humanities, and emphasizes the values of caring, accountability, responsibility, and professional ethics. The SRTC ASN program has been granted approval by the Georgia Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Southern Regional Technical College offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get students quickly into their desired careers, and 38 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of its students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, interested individuals can log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205-3449.
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