CCCE’s Dental Assisting Program Graduates Nine
The Dental Assisting program at the Center for Career and Community Education (CCCE), held a completion ceremony for nine graduates of the program. CCCE’s Executive Dean of Workforce Development Carla DeShaw, emceed the ceremony and introduced the guest speakers for the evening.
Mark LaFountain, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel at the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation (CiTi), spoke to the students about the incredible opportunities available to students today and talked about how his grandparents had immigrated to the United States with very little and unable to speak English, but had prospered in the land of opportunity. He encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the many opportunities to succeed found in this country, but also to remember where we came from.
CiTi’s Board of Education President, John Shelmidine is a long-time supporter of the Adult Education programs and what he termed “life-long learners.” He praised the students for their perseverance and dedication and thanked their family members for their support during the sometimes difficult return to school.
Amanda Weigand, a former DA graduate of the CiTi/CCCE program spoke to the students about her passion for the career and encouraged the graduates to find their passion and also challenged them to never stop learning.
Pins and diplomas were presented to the graduates and they recited the Dental Assisting pledge. Several awards were presented including Valedictorian to Kaitlin Nicholson, Salutatorian to Ashley Monroe, both of whom also received induction into the National Technical Honor Society. DeShaw also presented special WorkKeys Certificates to all of the graduates from the program citing their impressive participation in the work readiness program.
A reception was held for the graduates and their guests following the ceremony. For more information about the Dental Assisting or other Adult Education program offerings, visit the CiTi website at www.CiTiboces.org or call CCCE at 315-593-9471.
Dental Assistant graduates paused following their ceremony for a group photo with the CCCE and CiTi administration. Pictured, left to right are: CiTi Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Mark LaFountain; DA graduates Christina Ackley, Tricia Babcock, Caitlynn Wollek, Valene Maloney, Brenda Broekhuizen, Shandreka Jackson, Kaitlin Nicholson, Kimberly Keating, and Ashley Monroe; Carla DeShaw, CCCE Executive Dean of Workforce Development and Community Education; Melanie Kerschner, CCCE Certified Dental Assisting Instructor; and John Shelmidine, President, CiTi Board of Education.