CENTRE, AL — The Gadsden State Community College Health Sciences Division recognized 55 nursing students during a Registered Nursing pinning ceremony held May 7, 2026, at the Richard Lindsey Auditorium on the college’s Cherokee Campus in Centre.
The students are set to receive an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing during commencement exercises scheduled for May 14, 2026, at Gadsden State Cherokee.
Dr. Cynthia Mullinax said the ceremony marked an important achievement for the graduates and those who supported them throughout the program.
“The RN pinning ceremony is a meaningful milestone for our graduates, their loved ones, and everyone involved in the Nursing Program,” Mullinax said. “These students have worked tirelessly through an intensive nursing curriculum, and we are confident they are fully prepared to enter the healthcare field as skilled, safe, and capable registered nurses.”
Students receiving pins represented communities across northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia, including Anniston, Oxford, Piedmont, Centre, Gadsden, Rainbow City, Rome, and several other municipalities.
Graduates from Calhoun County and surrounding areas included:
- Anniston: Kyndal Alvarez, Nakia Birdsong, Britney Conway, Tyara Jones, Deborah Magouirk, Lisa Montgomery, and Raegan Nunez
- Eastaboga: Kylie Kiker
- Heflin: Kayleigh Lee
- Munford: Ashley Joyce
- Ohatchee: Abigail Read
- Oxford: Alyssia Garrett
- Piedmont: Shasta Benitez, Amelia Nixon, Anna Pace, Brooklyn Reid, and Brianna Taylor
- Weaver: Cheryl Hendrickson
Several students were recognized for academic achievement and excellence in nursing care during the ceremony.
Kayleigh Lee of Heflin received the Florence Nightingale Award, which is presented to the student considered most committed to compassionate and caring nursing service.
Abigail Read of Ohatchee received the Excellence in Academic Achievement Award for earning the highest grade point average in the graduating class.
Students earning Academic Achievement Awards for maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA included Kyndal Alvarez, Ashton Brewster, Cherri Burt, Kaleigh Butler, Savannah Griffin, Haleigh Graves, Cheryl Hendrickson, Briley Hincy, Hannah Hufstetler, Macie Hunt, Alyah Jackson, Meredith Keener, Kathryn Langley, Kayleigh Lee, Deborah Magouirk, Kaitlyn Nelms, Amelia Nixon, Raegan Nunez, Anna Pace, Brooklyn Reid, Jackson Sims, Ashley Sjoerdsma, Judith Timmons, Sidney Vance, Ashlie Watson, Makya Wilson, and Rosita Zendejas.
Six graduates also completed the Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program, which allows nursing students to gain on-the-job experience while completing their education. Those students were Shasta Benitez, Tyara Jones, Anna Pace, Danasha Simpkins, Ashley Sjoerdsma, and Brianna Taylor.
Additional information about the nursing program is available through Gadsden State Community College
