The GACTC graduated 30 students from the full-time Practical Nursing program on August 14, 2025. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 12th and commencement, held on August 14th, at the Altoona Area High School.
The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing faculty.
The commencement ceremony on August 14th honored the practical nursing students through conferral of diplomas, awards, and honors. The evening included remarks from Rebecca Kelly, MSN, RN, and Nicole Zernick, Executive Director of the GACTC, recital of the nurse’s pledge, and a lamp lighting. A class message was provided by the class president, De’Audric Harris.
The practical nursing graduates included the following:
- Erin Albright
- Yessenia Diaz-Guzman*
- Danielle Diehl*
- Jenel Dipko
- Whitney Edwards*
- Shaylie Finnegan
- Brittany Friedenberger
- Takeerah Hale*
- De’Audric Harris
- Elizabeth Kirkpatrick
- Kelis Laird
- Kathryn Lee*
- Donielle Lewis
- Jordan Long
- Cloe Maher
- Jessica Martin*
- Taylour Metz*
- Meagan Miller*
- Reva Miller*
- Marissa Mountz
- Ally Olivieri*
- Julia Podrasky*
- Casey Reese*
- Miranda Rissler*
- Brittany Rovatsos*
- Amber Sanders
- Meghan Stapleton*
- Olivia Vincent*
- Chelsea West
- Kristen Williams*
Students whom achieved Honors are noted with *. Class valedictorian is Casey Reese.
Recognition of outstanding student achievement were provided to the following graduates:
- Knowledge Award recipient was Casey Reese.
- Skills Award recipient was Amber Sanders.
- Work Ethic Award recipient was Takeerah Hale.
- Volunteer Award recipient was Meghan Stapleton.
- Alice E. Garman Award recipient was Julia Podrasky.
- Outstanding Student Award recipient was Danielle Diehl.
- Perfect Attendance Award recipients included Jessica Martin and Ally Olivieri.
A special thank you to the sponsors of the awards including the following:
- American Red Cross
- Cesare Battist
- Encompass Health
- Garvey Manor Nursing Home
- Homewood Living Martinsburg
- Lois Medina
- Mr. Ken Garman
- New Look Uniform and Embroidery, Lois Medina, RN
- Patricia Winters
- Sr. Mary Joseph Calore
- The Uniform Place
Additional photos will be posted soon.
The Practical Nursing program coordinator is Lisa Urban, MSN, RN. For more information about the Practical Nursing program, please visit https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/practical-nursing/ or call 814-941-8324.
