From career changers to recent high school graduates, dozens of area adults entered the world of healthcare Thursday thanks to the Capital Region BOCES adult Practical Nursing program.
With family and friends looking on from the seats of Proctors, 70 members of the adult Practical Nursing Class of 2026 received their diplomas and nursing pins in a tradition-packed evening ceremony.
The adults from this year’s class—who hail from communities as far afield as Tillson, Ulster County, Amsterdam, Albany and Hoosick Falls—have completed either a 10-month, full-time or an 18-month, part-time practical nursing program that encompassed more than 1,100 hours of training that prepared them to take the certification exam to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Most have done so while holding down jobs and caring for their families.
Summarizing the experiences of her classmates, graduate Lamionna Threat said “many of us didn’t arrive at this moment on an easy path. Some of us worked full-time jobs. Some of us raised children. Some of us faced health challenges, financial struggles, family responsibilities and obstacles that could have easily made us give up.”
“We have classmates who welcomed babies into the world while earning their nursing degrees. We have classmates who pushed through illness, grief and personal hardships. Some of us came here straight from work—that overnight 
shift. Brutal. Yet every person sitting here today chose to keep going. That determination is what brought us to this moment,” the Schenectady resident said during a speech.
Meghan Klawson, Valedictorian of the full-time program, said her success wouldn’t have happened without the support of friends and loved ones.
“My fiancé fully supported me. He is the one that made this possible and allowed me to pursue my dreams,” said Klawson, an Ancram resident who commuted nearly 2 ½ hours round-trip daily to attend classes.
Fellow speakers praised the graduates.
“This class exemplifies a group of truly dedicated individuals who demonstrated professionalism, perseverance and compassion as they navigated the challenges of a rigorous healthcare program,” Director of Health Careers and Services at Capital Region BOCES Louise Bigando said. “They worked both independently and collaboratively to achieve their goal of becoming skilled, professional nurses committed to caring for those in need.”
Nearly all of the graduates are pursuing a lifelong passion to help others.
“I want to be the person that is able to step up and say, ‘I can help’,” said Angelica Bilica, from Mechanicville.
Amber DeWitt from Ulster County has driven 140 miles daily in pursuit of her goal of becoming a nurse.
“My whole life, my dad has been sick and in and out of hospitals. I was inspired to be a nurse because of the care I have seen him receive,” she said.