The Henry O. Peabody School practical nursing program celebrated its latest graduating class with commencement exercises held on August 22 in the Charles Sumner Bird Auditorium at Norwood Junior High South. The ceremony honored 24 graduates entering the nursing profession.

The evening opened with an invocation by the Rev. William Scanlon of St. Timothy’s Church, followed by welcoming remarks from program director Ruth M. Shea. School Committee Chairman Dr. William F. Pudsey and Assistant Superintendent of Schools James R. Donovan addressed the graduates, while Noreen Darragh, executive director of the Licensed Practical Nurses of Massachusetts Inc., delivered the commencement address.

Awards and Honors

Diplomas were presented by Dr. Pudsey and program coordinator Judith A. Knight, RN, with school pins awarded by nursing instructors Marilyn Campbell, RN and Priscilla Jenkins, RN, assisted by clinical instructors Mary Ellen Horgan, RN and Mary Jean Coughlin, RN. Several special honors were presented during the ceremony:

Valedictorian Award: Presented by Helga Berglund and Patricia Rose of the Norwood Women’s Community Committee to Sister Patricia A. Fitzmaurice of Framingham.
Golden Award (Salutatorian): Presented by faculty member Priscilla Jenkins to Diann Scaccia of Dedham.
Betty G. Shay Memorial Award: Presented by Marilyn Campbell for exemplary nursing characteristics to Paula Sullivan of Dedham.
Barbara Bently King Memorial Award: Presented by Judith Knight for outstanding clinical progress to Margaret Horton of Medfield and Susan Hurd of Franklin.
Perfect Attendance Award: Presented to Norwood resident Angela Corio.
Special Appreciation Award: Presented to Robertina Blair, LPN—a graduate of the program’s inaugural class and recently retired Norwood Hospital employee with 18 years of service—for outstanding contributions to the school and the LPN profession.

Class of 1980 Graduates

The 24 graduates representing communities across the region include:

Canton: Cheryl Theirrien
Dedham: Debbie Babiaza, Nancy L. Salter, Dianne Scaccia, and Paula Sullivan
Foxboro: Ann V. Myron
Hingham: Michael L. Kennedy
Norwood: Angela Corio, Mary E. O’Donnell, Maureen Joseph, and Clare Maleiko
Randolph: Catherine Arsenault
Stoughton: Timothy D. Bowker
Walpole: Mary L. Gillis
Whitman: Patricia Smith

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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