Nurses achieve first year

Western Nevada Community College graduated 17 practical nursing students this week.

The graduates earned a certificate of achievement in practical nursing and have completed their first year toward an associate's degree in nursing. They are now eligible to take the state board exam to become licensed practical nurses.

"Nurses are the soul of health care," said nursing faculty member Christine Fregulia.

This year's graduates include Juliana Brenda Apodaca, of Stateline; Rulon N. Bracken, of Fallon; Erica Carlson, of Carson City; Jamie R. Churchfield, of Carson City; Jennifer Galimba Cornwell, of Minden; Trisha Ann Funk, of Carson City; Alape Gelverio, of South Lake Tahoe; William L. Griffith, of Carson City; Maureen Kirkman, of Carson City; Yuriko LaRocco, of Reno; Melissa D. McCabe, of Carson City; Irena Mikulik, of Gardnerville; Heather M. Ortmann, of Carson City; Brenda L. Shaver, of South Lake Tahoe; Lorenza B. Swalm, of Sparks; Carole Taylor, of South Lake Tahoe and Kelli Ann Wedge, of Carson City.

WNCC's Director of Allied Health programs, Mickey Wade, RN, presented the graduation class. Guest speakers for the ceremony were Dr. Edward Rose of Carson City; community college professor Franklin S. Carman, Ph.D., and Fregulia. Registered nursing student speakers were Irena Mikulik and Erica Carlson.