SHELBY — Smiles were abundant Wednesday night in the Pioneer Arena during the adult education graduation ceremony.

A total of 47 “completers” received their certification in either Phlebotomy, STNA, Welding, or Clinical Medical Assistant. Another 24 adults also received their high school diplomas.

  • Families proud of their graduate..JPG
  • Keegan & Landon Price leading the pledge of allegiance..JPG
  • Santa visited PCTC Adult graduation night..JPG
  • Student speaker Kevin Czupik.JPG
  • Supt. Nickoli presenting Diploma.JPG
  • Adult graduates from Pioneer

  • A total of 71 Pioneer adult education graduates celebrate after Wednesday night’s commencement exercises.

Superintendent Greg Nickoli welcomed the students, families and distinguished guests followed by brothers Keegan and Landon Price leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Price brothers are not strangers to leading a crowd. Landon led last year’s adult graduation in the pledge. Their mother, Rachelle, was a former student at PCTC receiving her certification in STNA.

Bill Bussey, Executive OTC Director, gave a speech to the graduates in which he emphasized dedication and hard work pay off.

Kevin Czupik (a welding graduate) gave a speech about his life and how sometimes we make bad decisions and can still overcome them. He thanked a local employer who gave him a chance and with the help of Pioneer’s training he is on his way. Czupik mentioned he lost his father recently. Pioneer acknowledged his dad not being there and presented a rose in honor of Czupik’s father.

There were a father and daughter combination with Christy and Virgil Thoroughman both receiving diplomas.

Earning certification in Clinical Medical Assistant: Macy Banks, Alexis Hill, Brittany Robinson, Christy Thoroughman, Karisa Hall, Eduardo Ramirez, Dawn Sturgill and Davia Whitlatch.

Phlebotomy students who received their certificate: Abigail Burling, Amerlea Butler, Nicole Cress, Elizabeth Eulett, Chandra Forman, Raygan Gruver, Jamie King, Karista King, Destinie Kubyako, Savannah Mitchell, Cloie Smith and Amber Vermillion.

Earning STNA status: Kelsi Adair, Starlyna Black, Jysmine Board-Miller, Michelle Campo, Jody Ditmars, Rachel Ison, Kandy Marshall, Lessie Parish, Tiara Shade, Patricia Triplett, Jessica Yaussy, Faith Gosser, Zoe Kinney, Alexandra Maynard, Emily Rothhaar, Lindsey Smith and Mary Lou Vasquez.

Welding students who received their certification: Trever Boyle, Cherrish Hicks, Nathan Kosic, Sherman Perry, Virgil Thoroughman, Kevin Czupik, Edward Hively, Roxanne McFarland, Devin Sadowski and Blaise Weeks.

One little girl was so excited she said: “That’s mommy!” when her mother received her diploma.

The evening concluded with the turn of the tassel and the mortarboards flying in the air.