SANFORD - Twenty-six graduates were recognized during the Central Carolina Community College Medical Assisting Pinning Ceremony on July 10 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

Melissa Fogarty, CCCC Medical Assisting Program Director, gave the welcome, led in the Blessing of the Pins, and Recitation of the Creed.

"The Medical Assisting Pinning Ceremony isn't just a tradition -- it's an important symbol of the students' hard work and dedication. It's a time for students to come together and celebrate with their classmates and loved ones," said Fogarty. "Most importantly, this pivotal moment represents their transition from student to full-fledged Medical Assistant, and hopefully very soon, Certified Medical Assistants."

Fogarty, in addressing the graduates, said, "Those of you that are here have fought hard. You have bounced back from life issues that threatened to pull you down. You pushed forward when you got the test grade you thought you couldn't come back from. You have persisted despite any outward circumstances that stood against you, and now here you are. This has been the primary goal for the past year, and you have made it! Your mindset, as you sit here tonight, was to persist until you achieved success. I cannot stress to you enough how important maintaining that attitude will be in moving forward in your career."

Fogarty went on to commend all of the graduates for their hard work, commitment to the program, and commitment to their future.

CCCC Instructors Anne O'Shaughnessy and Dianne Johnson conducted the Traditional Pinning.

Also participating in the program were Chatham Class President Deidra Wells and Vice President Megan Bowers, and Harnett Class President Jordan Schwab and Vice President Shannon Tucker.

Medical Assisting graduates, with home counties listed in parentheses, are: Wendy Bacilio Vico (Chatham), Megan Bowers (Chatham), Carleigh Champion (Harnett), Maria Colchado (Lee), Danielle Faircloth (Harnett), Geraldine Gray (Lee), Brittany Grispino (Chatham), Megan Hayes (Moore), Hannah Holder (Lee), Autumn Holt (Chatham), Diana Lopez (Chatham), Juli Marcos Ocampo (Chatham), Heather McKenzie (Harnett), Lauren Mercer (Moore), Cheyenne Patterson (Lee), Summer Roberts (Lee), Jordan Schwab (Lee), Emily Staffa (Lee), Katelynn Tart (Harnett), Alma Tavera (Harnett), Paige Thomas (Lee), Shannon Tucker (Wake), Deidra Wells (Moore), Jordan West (Harnett), Whitney White (Lee), and Breanna Wiley (Lee).

For more information about the college's Medical Assisting program, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/
majors/medicalassisting or contact Melissa Fogarty at mfogarty@cccc.edu or 919-545-8060.