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The Ladies (and Gentleman!) With The Lamps

2009 Associate Degree Nursing graduates from MTCC, pictured front row, left to right: Jannell Fox, Welby Simpson, Josie Dratwa; Second row, Jared Gouge, Lauren Carrigan, Mary Anne Hass, Penny Edwards, Brandi Turner, Tammy Dale, and Adele Johnson.

The words were flattering: Excellence in academic work; excellence in clinical care; kind and caring.

They described an associate degree nursing student from Foothills Nursing Consortium, a partnership between McDowell Technical Community College, Cleveland Community College and Isothermal Community College.

Thirty registered nursing students would cross the stage that recent night to be pinned in the tradition of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, the famous “Lady with the Lamp.” The Times, of London, called Nightingale “a ministering angel,” and in 1857, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized her with these lines: “Lo! in that hour of misery, A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.”

As the evening wore on, ten students from each of the three colleges received a small, white lamp, lit by an instructor’s flame and passed from one to another until all glowed with the warmth and caring symbolized by the profession.

Two students would be called out for special honors. Mrs. Alesha Logan of Isothermal received an award for having the highest overall grade point average in the class of 30.

But then there were those flattering words: Excellence in academic work; excellence in clinical care; kind and caring. And then came the pronouncement, “Best All-Around student from the Class of 2009: Mary Anne Hass.”

The room erupted with applause. Hass, who along with nine of her fellow McDowell Tech students will officially graduate in August, walked demurely across the stage to accept the honor.

 
Mary Ann Hass and her children, Elisabeth and Helon. At right, she is shown with her family, left to right,Terry Padgett, Alicia Padgett, Elisabeth Alvarado, Hass, Helon Alvarado, Jannelle Camp, Ray Morrison, and Karen Camp.

She, like everyone else, knew that they were all winners. They had completed a long and tough curriculum peppered with chemistry, biology, anatomy, and countless hours of clinical instruction.

As they walked across the stage, Dr. Kelly Jones, instructor, read tributes written by the graduates, many of whom acknowledged sacrifices and help others had made or given during a long two years: “To my kids, who ate fast food for two years” (Janelle Fox); “To my husband, for his love and support” (Adele Johnson); “To all my grandparents, aunts and uncles who helped me with the kids—it truly does ‘take a village to raise a child’” (Tammy Dale); “My two beautiful babies for always receiving me with open arms after time less spent….and friends and faculty for confidence and helping hands” (Mary Anne Hass).

As soon-to-be- graduates, each of the students become eligible to sit for examination by the State Board of Nursing to become registered nurses. But many aspire to even loftier goals, as evidenced by their dreams: “I look forward to beginning a bachelor’s degree program in the near future. My long-term goal is to become a flight nurse for a major trauma center.” (Penny Edwards).

Whatever their dreams, Mark Dellinger, clinical instructor and special speaker, challenged each of them to have respect for self and others, to take responsibility for their actions, and to work to distinguish themselves as extraordinary nurses and people.

Those interested in learning more about the associate degree nursing program at McDowell Technical Community College may call Jane Wyatt at 652-0611.