Merrillville celebrates 26 graduates of CNA program
High schoolers have their own classroom, lab and 2 registered nurses who serve as educators
It was a night of smiles when 26 Merrillville High School students graduated at its CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Completion Ceremony Wednesday night.
“It’s an excellent growing program,” said Bob Phelps, Career and Technical Education Director. “Last year there were 10 students and this year there are 26.”
The 25 seniors and one junior were part of a program where they trained to be CNAs and get their introduction into the medical field. They were each presented with a certificate and a pin.
Students who completed the requirements included: Allen Akins, Arturo Baranda, Rebekka Beilfuss, Favour Bikoro, Makayla Boleware, Janyle Cooper ( junior), Jenae Crowder, Jade Cuadrado, Nakari Dade, Janelle Dockins, Courtney Evans, Trevion James, Samya Miller, Isabella Montemayor, Myles Moore, Danai Nixon, Synia Norman, Na’Riyah Richardson, Michelle Roussell, Ellora Scott, Jordyn Thomas, Shaniyah Watts, Ashley Washington, Kalisha Williams, Nikiyah Wolf, and McKenna Vallow.
Now, students will begin testing to earn the ability to take care of patients in hospitals, longterm residential facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, adult daycares and more. It is the first group of students to complete the program since the school completely took over and began running its own CNA program, which reduces fees for students as they won’t have to pay additional costs for instruction at a different school and reduces the challenges of transporting students offsite during the school day.
The program has its own classroom, lab, and two registered nurses who serve as educators to accommodate the growing enrollment. According to Brandi Knocke and Angelique Todd, the CNA teachers, it was a rigorous medical program and they didn’t take any shortcuts.
“They brought their A-game,” Todd said.
The CNA program made for a celebration of their dreams. Student Jenae Crowder said she hoped to attend Ivy Tech and then Prairie State A&M to further her
medical career.
The CNA program is part of the school’s CTE program which encourages courses to help students acquire the academic and technical skills needed to be prepared for competitive high-skill jobs. These special courses are aligned to Indiana’s STEM Pathways.
Some of the CTE Pathways Merrillville offers are science, biotechnology, physical therapy, engineering, architectural drafting and design, technology, automotive technology welding, construction trades, manufacturing, computer programming, business, accounting and finance, sports and entertainment marketing, radio and television, education, hospitality and human services, cosmetology, and criminal justice.
“The children take two classes a day in their fields and receive college credit,” Phelps said. “They get to wear their scrubs which is pretty cool.”
The pinning ceremony ended with a send-off by Alfreida Pointer, director of nursing, owner of Travail with Us, CNA & Home Health Services.
“Treat every person as though they are your loved one and do it from the heart,” she told the students. “Lead with empathy.”
The evening was sponsored by backers including the Area Health Education Center, Towne Center Assisted Living, Spring Hill Health Campus, St. Mary Health Center, VIBRA Long-term Acute Care Hospital, Porter County Career Center and more.