NEMCC celebrates Practical Nursing graduates at Candle Lighting and Pledge Ceremony

by Michael H. Miller

BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- (08/19/2025) — Northeast Mississippi Community College's Practical Nursing Education program celebrated 36 graduates during its annual Candle Lighting and Pledge Ceremony on Monday, July 28, in the Claude Wright Room of the Haney Union on the Booneville campus.

All 36 students completed the program's rigorous coursework and clinical hours, were pinned and are now eligible to sit for their licensure exams.

Representing a broad swath of northeast Mississippi -- including Aberdeen, Bruce, Ashland, and all five counties within the college's service district of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union -- graduates are now poised to fill a critical gap in the region's healthcare workforce.

Guided by Program Director Dr. Kristi Tooley and instructors Tracy Barron, Angileah Chase, Dr. Felicia Crump, Mary Beth Reeves, Anna Palmer, adjunct instructor Amy Clements, and administrative assistant Kelly Marshall, Northeast's students have displayed determination and resilience overcoming the stresses of the healthcare profession while juggling family, friends and work responsibilities.

Northeast's Practical Nursing Education program is an intensive 12-month curriculum that includes 455 hours of classroom instruction, 210 hours of lab practice, and 345 hours of clinical training.

Northeast's comprehensive approach ensures graduates are well-prepared for the high demands of the nursing profession, particularly as the industry continues to feel the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread staffing shortages.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the country is experiencing a critical shortage of full-time nurses.

Graduates participating in the ceremony included:

• Jayden Adams -- Corinth
• Jocelyn Aguirre -- Belmont
• Danielle Ashley -- Blue Springs
• Kyra Bryant -- Walnut
• Morgan Calvert -- Aberdeen
• Emma Carwyle -- New Albany
• Jaycee Clifton -- Corinth
• Jayden Culver -- Corinth
• Alexis Garcia -- Ripley
• Kimberly Henderson -- Booneville
• Mary Grace Herod -- New Albany
• Laura Hodum -- Corinth
• William Isabell -- Corinth
• Braley Lynch -- Glen
• Timothy Madru, Jr. -- Ashland
• Mia Mallard -- Iuka
• Lisa McDonald -- Rienzi
• Sylvia McVey -- Guntown
• Angelica Miller -- Tishomingo
• Madison Miller -- Nettleton
• Madelyn Mills -- Corinth
• Jessica Moore -- Okolona
• Anna Ozbirn -- Rienzi
• Timeka Parker -- Bruce
• Lexi Patterson -- Baldwyn
• Emileigh Robbins -- Glen
• Braden Robinson -- New Albany
• Kayla Robinson -- Tupelo
• Jessica Smith -- Amory
• Shunte Smith -- Tupelo
• Brooke Sullivan -- Ecru
• Josh Taylor -- Brandon
• Amyria Tenner -- Guntown
• Shiann Wooten -- Tishomingo
• Thomas Yarbrough -- Booneville
• Audrianna Young -- Tishomingo

Media Attachments

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Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Practical Nursing Education program celebrated 36 graduates during its annual Candle Lighting and Pledge Ceremony on Monday, July 28, in the Claude Wright Room of the Haney Union on the Booneville campus. All 36 students completed the program's rigorous coursework and clinical hours, were pinned and are now eligible to sit for their licensure exams. Representing a broad swath of northeast Mississippi -- including Aberdeen, Bruce, Ashland, and all five counties within the college’s service district of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union -- graduates are now poised to fill a critical gap in the region’s healthcare workforce.