Area practical nursing graduates honored during pinning ceremony

The annual Pinning Ceremony honoring the students of the Hannibal Public School of Practical Nursing was held on Aug. 14, 2008, at the Clover Road Christian Church in Hannibal. A class of 20 students received their pins after a 52-week course of study in the Practical Nursing Program.
The graduates are: Tiffany Atkinson of Perry; Gina Ballinger, Errin Black, Julie Bush, Alisha Engels, Shelia Heathman, Jennifer McNeilly, Brandy Tallman, Tracy Thomure, Amber Vadnais and Amanda Wintjen of Hannibal; Brandy Cottrell of Quincy, Ill.; Tina Cox and Joni Crane of Palmyra; Jacinda Epperson of Center; Meagan Galloway of Pleasant Hill, Ill.; Melinda Salsman and Kelly Stark of Monroe City; and Anna Simmerman of Pittsfield, Ill. Cheri Johnson of Hannibal is scheduled to receive her diploma upon completion of graduation requirements in the near future.
Recipients of the special awards were: Kelly Stark, General Nursing Proficiency Award; Gina Ballinger, Clinical Nursing Award; and Brandy Cottrell, the Brandie Kearns Memorial Nursing Personality Award. Scholastic Achievement Awards were presented to the top 20 percent of the class and were received by: Joni Crane, Valedictorian; Gina Ballinger, Salutatorian; Tiffany Atkinson, third ranking student and Brandy Tallman, fourth ranking student. Tiffany Atkinson, Gina Ballinger, Errin Black, Julie Bush, Brandy Cottrell, Tina Cox, Joni Crane, Cheri Johnson, Melinda Salsman, Kelly Stark and Brandy Tallman received recognition for National Vocational-Technical Honor Society membership. Shelia Heathman, Cheri Johnson and Jennifer McNeilly were honored as  Missouri League for Nursing Scholarship recipients. Melinda Salsman was the first recipient of the Beth Haven Community LPN Scholarship. A perfect attendance award was presented to Amber Vadnais. Awards were made possible by the Northeast Missouri Medical Society, Hannibal Regional Hospital, the family and friends of Brandie Kearns, Maple Lawn Nursing Home, Beth Haven Nursing Home and the Hannibal Public School of Practical Nursing Class of 2008.
The guest speaker for the evening was Jodi Dillon, LPN,  2007 PN Class President and staff nurse at Hannibal Regional Hospital. The music for the evening was provided by Connie Walker, accompanist and Amanda Lebak, soloist.
The Hannibal Public School of Practical Nursing is a 52-week educational program at the Hannibal Career and Technical Center. The school is affiliated with Hannibal Regional Hospital, Maple Lawn Nursing Home, Beth Haven Nursing Home, the Hannibal Clinic, the Marion and Ralls County Health Departments and NECAC Family Planning. Faculty include Gwenda Pollard, RN, BC, BSN, Coordinator/Instructor, Instructors Debbie Housman, RN, BS, BSN and Denise Crisp, RN and Adjunct Instructors Teri Amos, RN, MSN; Betty Bross, RN; Hazel Burditt RN, BC, BSN and Michelle Wallace, BSN, RN.