Jefferson Spring 2026 Nursing Graduates Pinned

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its annual Pinning Ceremony for graduates of the College’s nursing program on May 14, 20265, in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. Fifty-four (54) candidates for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in nursing were eligible to take part in this special program.

The “Pinning Ceremony” is a time-honored tradition at all institutions of higher education that offer degrees in nursing. The ceremony is symbolic of the transition from a student to entry into nursing as a profession. The pin is designed to be unique to each school of nursing. After being “pinned”, each student recites Florence Nightingale’s pledge.

During the Pinning Ceremony, JCC nursing students were honored for their outstanding achievements with the presentation of various awards.

The Excellence in Nursing Award, bestowed upon an individual who demonstrates dedication, excellence and passion for the profession of nursing, was awarded to Alli Fitterer of Evans Mills. 

The Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Award, established to honor a senior nursing student who exemplifies excellence in caring and providing service to the sick, was awarded to two nursing students - Theresa Araya of Jacksonville, Florida, and Angela Rolfe of Adams.  

Michael Schmidt of Watertown is the recipient of the Marion Brennan Personal Growth in Nursing Award, bestowed upon an individual who perseveres in the nursing program while overcoming many personal challenges along the way.

Abigail Welch of Watertown is the recipient of the Samaritan Medical Center HEART Award which recognizes a student who consistently incorporates compassion and comfort measures during his/her care for patients.

The STAR Award in Memory of Dr. Walter S. Atkinson, bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated clinical and academic excellence and has consistently performed at the highest level, was awarded to Jensen Parker of Mannsville.

Tiffanie Perea of Watertown, a freshman nursing student, received the Bill and Kate McBride Family Nursing Award bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies merit in education, hard work, and self-sufficiency, values upheld by the McBride family.

First row (sitting, l-r): Theresa Araya of Jacksonville, Florida, Christina Argraves of Fort Drum, Caitlyn Procko of Watertown, Miriah Quesenberry of Clayton, Valeria Nunez of Fort Drum

Second row (l-r): Madison Williams of Fort Drum, Jennifer Manning of Fort Drum, Malana Simpson of Mannsville, Felicia Thayer of Constableville

Third row (l-r): Adyson Kittle of Watertown, Fatima Santos of Carthage, Sarah Corbett of Clayton, Tiffany McCargar of Chaumont, Laura Fischer of Black River

Fourth row (l-r): Vivian Sciortino of Fort Drum, Aleigha Hill of Turin, Alyson Monaghan of Carthage, Hannah Peabody of Clayton, Shaina Paguirigan of Evans Mills, Helen Yatco of Watertown

Fifth row (l-r): Mackenzie Wheeler of Watertown, Brittany Garwick of Evans Mills, Erinn Peruzzi-Lewallen of Calcium, Michaela Kline of Adams Center, Makayla Vick of Guthrie, Oklahoma

Sixth row (l-r): Abigail Welch of Watertown, Lauren Ulrich of Dexter, Anais Pacheco of Carthage, Alli Fitterer of Evans Mills, Zeline Farney of Lowville, Kylie Reardon of Watertown

Seventh row (l-r): Jensen Parker of Mannsville, Adah Simpson of Castorland, Nina LiGreci of Watertown, Angela Rolfe of Adams, Cory Cummings of Carthage

Eight row (l-r): Katelyn Legoas of Fort Drum, Danielle Colwell of Dexter, Allyson Morgan of LaFargeville, Hailey Martin of Copenhagen, Jill Gullo of Watertown, Lyndsie O’Brien of Adams, Casey Lytle of Dexter

Ninth row (l-r): Ryan Washburn of Brownville, Hector Hernandez of Evans Mills

Tenth row (l-r): Cortney Dusckas of Watertown, Samantha Lawson of Evans Mills, Jacquelynn Moody of Mannsville, Kristi Bushey of Theresa

 Eleventh row (l-r): Michael Schmidt of Watertown, Samuel Hogan of Watertown, Jacquelynn Moody of Mannsville, Chloe Gleason of Adams Center, Kristi Bushey of Theresa, William Barry of Watertown

Top row: Kyara Concha of Dexter