2026 graduates of the DCMO BOCES Practical Nursing Program pose together following their graduation ceremony at the DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus in Norwich. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — DCMO BOCES celebrated the graduation of 21 students from the Practical Nursing Program on June 24, in a ceremony at the Alan D. Pole Campus in Norwich.

DCMO BOCES District Superintendent Michael Rullo provided welcoming remarks. The students, dressed in traditional nursing uniforms, listened to valedictorian and salutatorian addresses, received their nursing diplomas and completed a pinning ceremony and other traditions celebrating their entry into the profession.

Several students were recognized with awards, including Valedictorian Abigail Closs and Salutatorian David Marcelin; Philip Marschke, who received the Rising Star Award; James Bennett, Outstanding Clinical Nurse Award; Asehra Rice, Nursing Leadership Award; and Ericka Rose, who received the Nightingale Award for academic and clinical support of her fellow students.

Graduating in the Class of 2026 are Abigail M. Beaulieu, James M. E. Bennett, Zaniya Sade Bradshaw, Abigail Lynn Closs, Dejha Jhanea Dobson, Jessy Lynn Hadley, Tequila Jarvis, Jordan E. Lavergne, David Marcelin, Philip Joseph Marschke, Michelle S. Nibbs, Grace Ann Parker, Asehra Rice Ericka Ann Rose, April Scharer, Jazmyn Rose Sedleck, Jenna Marie Sedleck, Michelle Lynn Smith, Brianna Yvette Sonnier, Matthew David Spruill and Christine Patricia Alma Welch.

Denise Malone RN BSN, Denise Smith RN and Melissa Foster RN are the instructors for the DCMO BOCES Practical Nursing Program. Clinical sites included United Health Services Norwich, Chase Memorial Nursing Home and Rehab, Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing, Chestnut Park Rehabilitation, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.

DCMO BOCES is a regional provider of educational services to students and schools, including adult learning programs, and operates school campuses in Sidney Center and Norwich. To find out more about their services and programs, visit www.dcmoboces.com.

— Information from DCMO BOCES