WESTFIELD – Seven Westfield Technical Academy Allied Health seniors marked their certifications as Certified Nursing Assistants in a moving ceremony that included candle lighting and the recitation of the CNA Pledge on Feb. 14.
Recognized for their achievements in becoming Certified Nursing Assistants, Class of 2020 were Morgan Danek, Ashley Hall, Samantha Hockenberry, Chrystal Lin, Julie McCorkindale, Jordyn Sanders and Savannah Shay.
In his welcome remarks, Westfield Tech Principal Joseph Langone said the school was not just recognizing the students’ certificates, but their “goodness, compassion, decency and human warmth that the world is in such desperate need of.”
Senior Savannah Shay spoke for her classmates, saying she was honored to be with the six of them. She reflected on the 80 to 90 hours the students put in at clinical sites, admitting they were “absolutely terrified” at first, and then grateful for the care they were able to give.
Allied Health teacher Jacqueline Barcomb, Maureen Baillargeon, Heather Potito, and keynote speaker Mary Argenio, Activity Director at Arbors of Westfield. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Shay also recognized the Allied Health teachers Heather Potito, Jacqueline Barcomb and head teacher Maureen Baillargeon, presenting each with a bouquet of flowers from the students.
Keynote speaker Mary Argenio, activities director at the Arbors of Westfield, said she remembered them coming in as freshmen learning to relax and play games with the seniors with memory loss and physical impairment, and to listen to them. “You are all caregivers at heart,” Argenio said.
Before presenting the seniors with their pins, Baillargeon gave a rundown of each of their accomplishments.
Danek is a two-year member of the National Technical Honor Society and is employed as a Resident Care Aide through the Arbors of Westfield in the memory care unit. She received a silver medal as part of the Health Knowledge Bowl Team at the SkillsUSA District Competition, also run by Baillargeon; and placed seventh in the state competition. Danek is participating in dual enrollment at Westfield State University and Holyoke Community College, and has been accepted at Anna Maria College to become a crime scene analyst, toward her goal of becoming a coroner.
Hall, a two-year member of the Honor Society, completed an internship with Baystate Noble in the Emergency Dept. She is also a member of the Skills USA Health Knowledge Bowl Team which received the silver medal. She is participating in dual enrollment at WSU, and is currently taking part in the EKG technician program at WEstfield Tech. Hall has been accepted into Bay Path University in Forensic Psychology.
(L-R) Savannah Shay waits as Julie McCorkindale and Samantha Hockenberry pass the flame. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Hockenberry, a two-year member of the Honor Society, is currently interning with Osowski’s Family Dental. She participates in the dual enrollment opportunities at WEstfield State University, Holyoke College and Springfield Technical Community College which she plans to attend to complete her certification in Dental Assisting, toward her goal of a career in dentistry.
Lin, a two-year member of the Honor Society, is working as a CNA at Westfield Gardens. She has been a SkillsUSA member since her sophomore year, winning a gold as a sophomore and junior at the district competition, and a bronze medal in the state competition in her junior year. She is participating in dual enrollment at Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, American International College and Westfield State. After graduation, Lin plans to go to college and major in biology, with the goal of becoming a surgeon.
McCorkindale has an internship at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center. She also competed on the SkillsUSA Health Knowledge Bowl Team at the district and state competitions, and plans to compete again this March. She has also participated in dual enrollment at Westfield State, and plans to attend Bay Path University for a masters in Occupational Therapy, with a focus on working with children.
Family and friends applaud the graduates at the end of the ceremony. (AMY PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Sanders, a two-year member of the Honor Society, also works in the co-op program as a CNA at Westfield Gardens. She won a silver medal in the SkillsUSA district competition in Basic Health Care as a sophomore, and a bronze medal in First Aid/CPR as a junior. Sanders will be swearing into the Air National Guard as an Armament Systems Airman. Her future plans include studying at HCC to become a Radiology Technician.
Shay, a two-year member of the Honor Society was recognized by the Society of Women Engineers, receiving Merit for excellence in math and science. A member of SkillsUSA, Shay won gold at the state conference in Medical Math, and 8th in the National Conference in Louisville, KY. She is enrolled in the EKG program at WTA, and also completed an internship at the Westfield Fire Department. She is enrolled in an EMT course, and has obtained FEMA certification for Incident Command Systems.
“We are proud to have Savannah represent our school as Outstanding Vocational Student of the Year award, where she will be honored this April in Worcester. Her academic excellence and notable honors will assist her in her plans for post-secondary education of becoming a paramedic through the EMT Academy in Chicopee,” Baillargeon said.
Before the candle lighting ceremony, Patrick Kennedy led the Westfield Technical Academy band in a selection. After the seniors recited their pledge, CTE Director Peter Taloumis wished them well.
“All of us here at Westfield Technical Academy are very proud of your achievement,” Taloumis said.
