Over 100 students at Illinois Valley Community College were celebrated this summer for completing programs in registered nursing, paramedic, practical nursing, and dental assisting. The ceremonies spotlighted each graduate, featuring inspiring speeches from students and underscoring the important step these individuals are taking toward health care careers. Program coordinators stressed the dedication and resilience shown during their education, with many graduates preparing to join vital roles in hospitals, clinics, and dental practices across the region. These newly trained professionals are expected to make a significant impact on local communities that rely on skilled health care workers.
RN Program
Fifty-three registered nursing graduates participated in a pinning ceremony on May 17. Featured speakers included Hannah Larsen, Kasie George, Olivia Colmone-Burns, and Morgan Gascoigne.
Graduates were: Anne Abende; Katherine Busch; Coco Collins; Olivia Colmone-Burns; Keysha Cortez; Leticia Cruz; Julie Cummings; Stephanie Debolt; Danielle Densing; Brenda Dimas; Morgan Gascoigne; Kasi George; Ella Gilbertson; Cheyenne Goetsch; Emma Gordon; Liset Guadarrama; Shane Halm; Faten Hariri; Natali Haynes; Walter Hoskins; Emily Joanis; Amber Kartheiser; Laura Kicinski; Camrie Kuehn; Kiara Ladson; Hannah Larsen; Stephanie Lijewski; Kasandra Mandujano; Zoey Margis; Mary Mead; Jeremy Morey; Ellie Neisler; Julie Ochuba-Neill; Yasmine Orozco-Godinez; November Rhodes; Becky Rogers; Alejandra Rogus; Marianna Rosales; Abigail Ruppert; Emily Sarabia; Christine Senica; Sandra Shankles; David Smith; Hannah Smith; Suzanne Spreitzer; Erica Stuart; Kylie Thome; Leala Usaphrom; Baylea Weston; Kaed Wisneski; Emily Wright; Paxton Zellmer and Ferdese Zulbeari.
Paramedic Program
Twenty-five students graduated from the Paramedic Program in ceremonies on May 8 and July 31.
Featured speakers were Alexander Dunn and James Gassen.
Graduates were: Tyler Blackard; Alexander Dunn; Joseph Ellena; David Emanuel; Andrew Eyster; Nolan Hamilton; James Hutton; James McGuire; Diego Ortega; Conner Sherwood; Reid Smith; Elisheva Bruins; James Gassen; Sabryna Hamilton; Derrick Hobbs; Benjamin Kolczaski; Maria Pawlak; Matthew Ruiz; Manny Solano; Quenten Sondgeroth; Jasmine Stanton; Nicholas Swiskoski; Will Thrun; James Waitekus and Caitlynn Windsor.
Practical Nursing Program
Twelve practical nursing students participated in the LPN pinning ceremony on July 14.
Featured speakers were Carissa Dye and Blair Stillwell.
Graduates were: Erica Antle; Sydney Buffington; Carissa Dye; Alyssa Eutsey; Julie Kern; Tina Mauk; Kelsey Moore; Emma Nicoli; Adrienne Ortega; Miranda Roberts; Avarie Ruppert and Blair Stillwell.
Dental Assisting Program
Sixteen graduates of the expanded functions dental assisting program participated in the pinning ceremony on July 31.
Featured speaker was Emma Augustine.
Graduates were: Emma Augustine; Ashton Collins; Madison Freeman; Vanessa Gomez-Rico; Zulema Gonzalez; Tiffany Hegland; Nalani Kosin; Megan McGuire; Mia Moncrief; Emily Myre; Stacy Pavnica; Talia Peck; Camryn Piscia; Diana Reyes; Cynthia Rosas and Ariana Villalobos.
