PIQUA — Edison State Community College honored its most recent nursing graduates, May 10, with a pinning ceremony before an audience of family and friends at the Piqua campus.

The pinning ceremony is a tradition in which the graduate nurse is presented to family and friends as a professional who is about to practice nursing, and the graduate is usually “pinned” by the faculty members who have worked with the students throughout their course of study.

Each college has a unique pin, which serves as a symbol of the successful completion of a rigorous curriculum, which prepares its graduates to administer to the sick and injured and promote health through the practice of nursing.

Edison State President Dr. Doreen Larson welcomed friends and family members and commended those being pinned. Provost Chris Spradlin shared with the graduates why nurses are special to his family and congratulated the class. Program Administrator of Nursing Jill Bobb gave a speech praising the hard work and determination of the students, while recognizing the sacrifices made by the family members and friends who have supported them while completing their degrees.

The local graduates are Kristen Smith, of Anna; Kayla Warner, of Russia; Betsey Anthony, Crystal Davis, Kelly Hicks, Amy Schultz, Holli Thornton and Dezare VanHook, of Sidney; and Rebecca Peterson, of Yorkshire.