WESTFIELD – Westfield Technical Academy’s Allied Health Department held a moving pinning ceremony for the Class of 2016 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) on Friday. Ten students received their CNA certification after having passed the state exams given by the American Red Cross.
The CNA students entered the auditorium to a procession played by the WTA band under the direction of Patrick Kennedy. After the pledge of allegiance, led by Allied Health junior Jaisen Gomez, the band played the “Star Spangled Banner” as Jennifer Bunin, one of the seniors being pinned, sang the anthem.
WTA Principal Stefan Czaporowski congratulated the students, and thanked the band for participating, adding, “We’re just so excited to have them!” He also thanked School Committee member Diane Mayhew, and City Councilor Ralph Figy for attending the ceremony.
Czaporowski said he was happy to announce that the Allied Health freshman class is at maximum capacity.
“What we have here is what the Westfield Technical Academy and the City of Westfield consider a very successful program,” he said.
Shannon Boyden, who was selected by her classmates as speaker, talked about their journey together, and said, “I couldn’t be more happy and proud of all of them.”
Retired faculty member and keynote speaker Barbara Smith then spoke about the qualities of the students being pinned.
“You are the lucky ones to have the qualities of compassion, caring, kindness and empathy,” Smith said.
She spoke about all the changes in the growing health care profession due to technology, and the aging of the population. “No matter how much technology changes,” Smith said, “health care is about one sick person being cared for by another compassionate person.”
She encouraged the students to adapt, have strong work ethics, pay attention to details, communicate and actively listen, and to have patience.
“Laughter is a great stress reliever,” she reminded the class, who she said already knows that. “CNA success equates to the happiness and well-being of each patient.”
Smith wished them the best on all their future endeavors.
Heather Potito, lead teacher Maureen Baillargeon and Sherry Ferrier proceeded with the presentation of pins and acknowledgement of the many achievements of each student, followed by the lighting ceremony.
Receiving pins were Shannon Boyden, Jennifer Bunin, Makayla Lusby, Selena Noel, Jestyna Peatman, Samantha Rodowicz, Megan Salvini, Svetlana Shalygo Alina Suprunchuk, and Taylor Swearingen.
Some of the achievements of the class were as follows:
Shannon Boyden had internships at Baystate Noble Hospital in the telemetry and intensive care units and Western Mass Hospital in the dementia unit. She is currently working as a CNA at a nursing home in Northampton, and is considering a career in veterinary science at Holyoke Community College (HCC).
Jennifer Bunin participated in internships at Baystate Noble in the emergency room, and Western Mass Hospital’s telemetry and dementia units. She also participated in dual enrollment at Westfield State University (WSU) taking introduction to psychology. She plans to seek a position as CNA at Baystate Noble upon graduation, and to attend HCC with a goal of becoming a physician’s assistant.
Makayla Lusby interned at Baystate Noble Hospital in the telementry unit, and currently works as a CNA at Genesis health care in Westfield. She also participated in the dual enrollment program at WSU. She received an Award of Excellence in June of last year from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. She plans a career in health care and will be attending college in the fall.
Selena Noel participated in clinical rotations at the Developmental Learning Program at Western Mass Hospital, as well as the emergency room and telemetry units at Baystate Noble. She will be seeking employment as a CNA at a children’s hospital, and has plans to become a registered nurse in the future.
Jestyna Peatman is presently working as a resident assistant at The Arbors assisted living facility. She is a member of the Westfield Police Department’s cadet program, and attended the police academy program last summer in Conn. Jestyna has been directly accepted into WSU’s criminal justice program.
Samantha Rodowicz participated in many internships her senior year, including the sports and rehabilitation and telemetry units at Baystate Noble, and at the YMCA, and is completing her rotation in the dementia unit of Western Mass Hospital. She plans on attending HCC to pursue a career in health care.
Megan Salvini participated in rotations in sports and rehabilitation at Baystate Noble, Fort Meadow elementary school and the Developmental Learning Program. She plans on attending Springfield Technical Community College to obtain a degree as a certified occupational therapist’s assistant.
Svetlana Shalygo participated in an internship in Baystate Noble’s emergency room and telemetry units. She is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and plans to attend college to become a registered nurse.
Alina Suprunchuk interned at Baystate Noble in the telemetry and intensive care units. She also had an internship in the YMCA’s preschool. She is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and the Medical Reserve Corps. She plans to attend HCC to become a registered nurse.
Taylor Swearingen is currenly working at the The Arbors assisted living facility as a resident assistant. She had internships at Baystate Noble and in the dementia unit at Western Mass Hospital. She is considering attending HCC to pursue a career in nursing.
Following the pinning ceremony, lead teacher Maureen Baillargeon talked about what some of the internships entailed, and the skills the students had received.
“These students have had experiences that some of you will never have,” Baillargeon said. “They are kind and intelligent individuals that can do anything they set their minds on,” she added. “I am proud to be their teacher.”
The program ended with Career Technical Exploratories Director Peter Taloumis reciting a portion of a poem about CNAs.
“To all the CNAs, keep your heads high. You’re not only CNAs, but angels in disguise,” Taloumis read.
