The Technical College of the Lowcountry recognized 55 health sciences graduates during its Aug. 2 pinning ceremony at the Beaufort Campus. The ceremony honored graduates of the massage therapy, medical assisting, radiologic technology, surgical technology, practical nursing and associate degree nursing programs.

The special ceremony allows students to receive the respective pins for their professions while being recognized by faculty, staff, friends and family. The ceremony also includes class speakers, pledges and graduation traditions unique to each program. For example, the nursing tradition involves lighting of a lamp, a nod to Florence Nightingale who carried a lamp to light her path as she cared for the sick and dying soldiers during the Crimean War.

In the last five years, TCL has graduated nearly 500 health care professionals. After completing these programs, graduates will pursue licensing and become healthcare professionals in Lowcountry hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physician offices, assisted living facilities, schools and more. Others will choose to continue their education.

For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.tcl.edu/health">www.tcl.edu/health</a>.

The Aug. 2 graduates are:

Massage Therapy: Leiah Roxann Castillo, Cambridge Davis, Julian Ignacio Diaz, Cynthia Denise Kostov, Beverly Nichole Long, Elia Sanchez Parker, Jessica Renée Singleton, Olivia Paige Smith.

Medical Assisting: Alexandria Chenelle Bethea, Kenyonia Varntrell Brown, Justina Fuller, Kassandra Sue Hoffman, Paula Andrea Madrid, Kaylah Jade Wright, Kaila Wyatt.

Radiologic Technology: Kellie Cooper, Stephanie N. Crosby, Anthony Fairbanks, Carson S. Fludd, Cory Frame, Devin Freeman, Rayanna Horan, Kendra Hudson, Lakeisha Milliner, Kasey E. Mixon, Jose G. Ortega, Breanna R. Procell, Marla K. Strickland, Madison Wachowski.

Surgical Technology: John Benson, Kaila Eaddy, Taylor Hemming, Haleigh Kunich, Ashley Marshall, Ariel Phelps, Kathryn Pilcher, Brittany Smith.

Practical Nursing: Amber Alvin, Lauren Fishel, Busaraphan (Ay) Fleming.

Associate Degree Nursing: Janelle Austin, Sydney Bennett, Franziska Bode, Aneka Campbell, Adrianna Delk, Kathleen Deloach, Avis Evans, Aneshia Frederick, Meridith Godinez Carrillo, Christina Harris, Megan Hodges, Haleigh Knight, Lakeya Quarterman, Jessica Tanner, Shanta Washington.