Aug. 9—Aiken Technical College held a pinning ceremony on Friday morning recognizing students graduating from the health sciences department. This included Medical Assisting, Medical Coding, Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology and Expanded Duty Dental Assisting.

“For the graduates, it is a celebration of achievement … it is a moment for graduates to celebrate their hard work, dedication and perseverance as they transition from students to professionals,” said Aiken Tech President Dr. Forest Mahan.

Angela Odom, director of Aiken Tech’s Dental Assisting program, said that the Medical Assisting class of 2024 has a “100% hire rate” with all the students having accepted jobs in their chosen field.

Angel Ellis, who received a pin for completing the Medical Assisting program called this milestone “a huge accomplishment.”

“I’m excited for everybody,” she added.

“It’s been very emotional. I am very proud of myself and my other classmates, it makes me very emotional to talk about it,” said another Medical Assisting student, Emily Boatwright.

A salutatorian and valedictorian was named for each program except for expanded duty dental assisting. These included Sterile Processing Salutatorian Laura O’Connell and Valedictorian Felicia Kennedy; Surgical Technology Salutatorian Allyson Henley and Valedictorian Tonique George; Medical Coding Salutatorian Amy Deas and Valedictorian Cathleen Williams; and Medical Assisting Salutatorian Jennifer Shelton and Valedictorian Faith Salyers.