Several students from Des Moines Area Community College that are pursuing the medical field were rewarded with their diplomas on Thursday.

DMACC Vankirk Career Academy in Perry held a Certified Nurse Assistant Pinning Ceremony at Hotel Pattee to honor 16 students representing four Iowa high schools. Director Eddie Diaz addressed the audience of students and parents/guardians by expressing how proud he is of them for reaching this milestone. 

DMACC President Rob Denson echoed Diaz’s comments, then referenced the infamous book “The Little Engine That Could,” stressing to the students that they can do anything they put their minds to. Fiorella Oliver, who attends Perry High School, tells Raccoon Valley Radio what it means to be officially certified as a nurse.

“I’m just really happy. It means that I can move up in the medical field before I graduate, which is what I want to do and I can get a job, but now I can do what I really want to do and move up the ladder.”

Julionna Lessman, who goes to Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School, reveals the aspect that fascinates her the most when it comes to nursing.

“I really like taking care of older people, and I like taking care of younger kids. And also nursing is a very broad spectrum and I plan to pursue that. The diversity in nursing is what interests me the most.”

DMACC Vankirk Career Academy CNA Instructor Katie Tuel acknowledges that the students sacrifice an incredible amount of time during the semester, but that it’s always great to be able to celebrate with them on their achievements. The full list of students that received diplomas for the 2025 Spring Ceremony are available below.

Alexandra Aguilar

Elsie Aguilar

Michael Alberto

Baylea Blazek

Macey Fitzgerald

Stacy Michelle Flores Solis

Fithawit Goitom

Alejandra Hernandez

Joseph Johnston

Julionna Lessman

Jetzibe Lopez

Erikah Maness

Sofia Martinez Soriano

Oriana Meyers

Fiorella Aleli Oliver Colon

Jewel Perkins

Faith Rasmussen