TOP PHOTO: TCAT President Debbie Petree addresses the capacity crowd at Tuesday’s annual TCAT graduation ceremony.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – TCAT Jacksboro held its annual graduation ceremony Tuesday at the LaFollette Church of God.  One hundred-fifty students were awarded diplomas and certificates at the ceremony. 

TCAT President Debbie Petree, right, presented Troy Marsh with a plaque in recognition of being chosen to represent TCAT of Jacksboro as Student of the Year.

Troy Marsh received a plaque for being chosen to represent TCAT Jacksboro in the Student of the Year competition.  Graduate Madison Scarbrough was presented with a plaque honoring her SkillsUSA Silver state medalist award in Cosmetology.  Student speakers Koren Fogelsanger, Administrative Office Technology graduate, and Troy Marsh, Machine Tool Technology graduate, shared their stories with the capacity crowd.  President Debbie Petree congratulated the graduates and stated “there were no better choices to serve as guest speakers than two of our very own graduates.  Students have proven to be resilient, flexible, and determined in obtaining their post-secondary credentials during a most difficult time, and we couldn’t be prouder of having these students represent our college.”

TCAT Graduate Madison Scarborough, left, received a plaque from TCAT President Debbie Petree in recognition of her SkillsUSA Silver State Medalist Award in Cosmetology.

The Nursing Pinning is a special recognition for nursing graduates. Immediately following the TCAT graduation, a Practical Nursing pinning ceremony was also held at the LaFollette Church of God.  Of the one hundred fifty graduates, forty-two were practical nursing students.  Those students participated in lighting candles as they entered the sanctuary of the church symbolic of Florence Nightingale.  Chloe Lowe was chosen by her classmates to give the student address.  Nursing faculty and staff Connie Hubbard, Paige Graves, Amanda Partin, Jill Browning, and Camilla Gambrel awarded diplomas and nursing pins.  Wendy Pierce was awarded the Valedictorian award as well as the Clinical Excellence award.  Shayla Velazquez was honored as the Salutatorian. 

After passing the national exam, the forty-two students will enter the nursing field as Licensed Practical Nurses.  About 50% of the curriculum is skills development and clinical assignments. President Petree thanked the clinical partners who continue to allow our students the opportunity to learn under the guidance of nursing professionals.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/30/2022-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMILLA GAMBREL)