Class of 2026 Features 50 Traditional, MEEP Graduates
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College’s School of Health Careers on Thursday held its traditional pinning ceremony for its newest Vocational Nursing program graduates, with a total of 50 students receiving their awards inside Temple Theater.
The new graduates from the Class of 2026 included students from both the “Traditional” Vocational Nursing program and from the Multi-Entry/Exit Program (MEEP).
Dr. Winifred Ferguson-Adams, Dean of the School of Health Careers, reminded the new nurses of the reasons they chose to join the profession.
“If anyone thinks of joining the nursing profession because of money, they’re in for an awakening,” Ferguson-Adams said. “You will always gain more from your patients, from your colleagues and from the people who support you. You have to have the desire, that want-to, that calling.
“These students have reached the mountain top, and let me tell you about the mountain top. There are going to be winds, it’s going to be cold, so you might want to get on your knees and continue praying. That’s going to get you through a lot when you’re the person at a bedside when someone is born or when someone transitions. There will be a nurse there for all of it.”
Joining the staff onstage was the Deep East Texas Nurse Honor Guard, a group comprised of retired, active and student nurses.
In addition, Ferguson-Adams recognized instructor Patricia Hooks, who recently announced her retirement. Hooks spent 43 years in the nursing profession, including the past 14 years serving as an Angelina College Nursing instructor.
Graduate Rachel Moore provided the invocation, while graduate Krystle Brown offered the benediction.
Following are the graduates of the Class of 2026, along with their home towns when provided. (Cities are in Texas unless otherwise specified.)
Vocational Nursing Traditional Students:
Kaylyn Coutee (Lufkin), Perla Flores (Diboll), Samantha Flores (Lufkin), Donna Humphrey (Nacogdoches), Gabrielle Maguire (New Orleans, La.), Rachel Moore (Wells), Destiny Radecke (Austin), Allison Renero (Kennard) and Felicia Veliz (Corpus Christi).
Lufkin MEEP (Multi-Entry/Exit Program) Students:
Adalia Alvarado (Lufkin), Anna Andrus (Zavalla), Destiny Arrieta (Lufkin), Perla Bennett (Goodrich), Brianna Bocanegra (Nacogdoches), Krystle Brown, Mary Joy Cariaga (Livingston), Ariana Castillo (Lufkin), Melissa Castillo (Houston), Rubi Chavez, Crystal Duran (Diboll), Tatiana Ervin (Nacogdoches), Melanie Garcia (Lufkin), Erin Hadnot (Diboll), Chloe Havard (Lufkin), Niki Hendon (Plano), Briana Hernandez (Lufkin), Elianna Ilo (Lufkin), Trinity St. Cyr (Nacogdoches), Yessenia Juarez (Lufkin), Richard Landero (Lufkin), Lydia Ling (Houston), Maria Mejia (Lufkin), Berenice Munoz (Lufkin), Kylie Oliver (Lufkin), Anakaren Ovalle (Lufkin), Makayla Price (Lufkin), Lizeth Ramirez (Lufkin), Celeste Rangel (Alto), Felicia Ratcliff (Kirbyville), Alise Lair (Lufkin), Katelyn Thomas (Nacogdoches), Mallorie Roman (Diboll), Josue Rosales (Lufkin), Havana Slaydon (Jasper), Maria Solis (Lufkin), Hannah Spurgeon (Groveton), Karlie Tamez (New Orleans, La.), Felicity Tominez (Nacogdoches), Caren Vanegas-Alonso (Lufkin) and Kayla Wright (Livingston).
Traditional Vocational Nursing Faculty: Dr. Susan Adams, Dr. Charlet Blades, Patricia Hooks and Mary Hastings.
MEEP Vocational Nursing Option Faculty: Danielle Adams, Kelley Durr, Vergie Hines, Kathy Jackson, Dr. Nancy McClurg, Anna McReynolds and Dr. Bobbie Williams.
For further information regarding Angelina College Health Careers, email healthcareers@angelina.edu.
For information regarding this press release, contact Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
MEEP Students Group:
Students from Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing Program (MEEP option) Class of 2026 pose before Thursday’s traditional pinning ceremony held inside Temple Theater. A total of 50 new nurses earned their awards. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)
Traditional Students Group:
Students from Angelina College’s Vocational Nursing Program (Traditional option) Class of 2026 pose before Thursday’s traditional pinning ceremony held inside Temple Theater. A total of 50 new nurses earned their awards. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)
Winifred Ferguson-Adams and Patricia Hooks:
Dr. Winifred Ferguson-Adams (left) honors Patricia Hooks during Thursday’s Vocational Nursing Program pinning ceremony held inside Temple Theater. Hooks recently retired after spending 43 years in the nursing profession, including the past 14 years, when she served as an AC Nursing Instructor. (Gary Stallard photo for AC News Service)