NMCC Celebrated Nursing Class of 2025 with Pinning Ceremony

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Maine Community College honored its nursing class of 2025 during a heartfelt pinning ceremony held at the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium Friday, May 9, recognizing the achievements and commitment of 16 graduating nursing students.

The ceremony began with a processional, followed by welcome and opening remarks from Andrew Gagnon, department chair of nursing, EMS and allied health. Academic Dean Angela R. Buck then addressed the audience.

Nursing faculty at NMCC include Kacey Hammond, Jessica Lahey, Jemelie McCorison, Angela Seldomridge, Michelle Soucy, Heather Bresett, Miranda Carney, Terry Caron, Sara Carr, Angela Davis and Allison Folsom.

The pinning ceremony, a longstanding nursing tradition, symbolizes the graduate’s transition and honors the dedication, compassion and skill required in the field. In one of the most meaningful moments of the event, each student was pinned by a loved one—often a parent, partner, spouse, mentor or, in some cases, their child—underscoring the support systems that helped each graduate reach this milestone.

Gagnon surprised longtime nursing faculty member Eileen McDougal with a special acknowledgment. After retiring last spring, McDougal returned to serve as interim academic dean. She will resume her retirement plans this summer after nearly four decades of service to the college and the community. Her portrait will be added to NMCC’s Nursing Simulation Center Wall of Distinction.

The guest speaker for the evening was Kacey Hammond, a member of NMCC’s nursing faculty. Chosen by the students to deliver the keynote address, Hammond highlighted the personal qualities each graduate brings to the profession—qualities such as compassion, resilience, curiosity and calm under pressure.

“Don’t lose those parts of you that make you who you are,” Hammond said. “I am very proud to have been a part of your journey here.”

One of the evening’s highlights came from nursing graduate Trinity Saucier-Pellicer, who spoke on behalf of the class. She thanked the faculty for their guidance and expressed gratitude to family and friends for their support.

“For guiding us, pushing us and believing in us—even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. Your dedication and passion have helped shape us into the nurses we are becoming,” she said.

Saucier-Pellicer also reflected on the strength of her classmates: “To witness my classmates achieve this accomplishment has been truly inspiring.” She closed with, “If I had to describe this class in just two words, they would be perseverance and integrity. That’s exactly what we embodied throughout this journey.”

Faculty member Jessica Lahey offered the Nurses’ Blessing. In a symbolic conclusion, graduates recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge while holding lanterns, evoking Nightingale’s legacy and reaffirming their commitment to compassionate, ethical care.

Pins were presented to the following members of the class of 2025:
Sheridan Barrows, Logan Bernier, Storm Bonato, Emily Davenport, Grace Flewelling, Tori Kazoroski, Kailey McKenney, Abram Nason, Hannah Pierce, Kayla Pinette, Jordon Sandstrom, Trinity Saucier-Pellicer, Josh White, Karla Williams and Kayla Williams.

This year’s Nursing Pinning Ceremony held special significance as it marked the first pinning ceremony attended by new NMCC President Doug Binsfeld. Also in attendance was Trustee Joyce Maker of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees.

The ceremony concluded with a student slideshow and a recessional. Michelle Soucy, nursing level II coordinator, offered closing remarks.