Marking a significant milestone for regional healthcare, twenty-eight area residents officially graduated from the practical nursing program at Norwood’s Henry O. Peabody School during commencement exercises.

The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Victoria Mojekwu, R.N., of Ibadan, India, who emphasized the indispensable role and growing necessity of licensed practical nurses within modern patient care.

Diplomas were presented to the graduating class by Charles Saraca, chairman of the Norwood School Committee, alongside Mrs. Judith A. Knight, R.N., coordinator of the practical nursing program. Traditional school pins were awarded to the graduates by Miss Margaret I. Keady, R.N., Peabody School instructor, and Mrs. L. Jane Fisher, R.N., nursing education supervisor at Norwood Hospital.

Honors and Special Awards

Several graduates were singled out for special recognition and academic excellence:

  • Faculty Award (personifying the best traits sought in an LPN): Presented to Miss Gail Penza of Norwood by faculty representative Mrs. Patricia Mahoney, R.N.
  • General Excellence Award (recognizing superior theory and clinical practice): Presented jointly to Miss Mary A. Paulin by Mrs. Richard Corcoran and Miss Isabel Currie.
  • Alumnae Award (honoring outstanding clinical progress): Presented to Mrs. Grace Robinson of Norwood by Miss Linda Hamilton, L.P.N., president of the school’s alumnae association, with awards also supported by the Women’s Community Committee.

Graduating Class Roster

The comprehensive graduating class represented communities throughout the region:

  • Norwood: Miss Elizabeth Deeb, Mrs. Della Green, Mrs. Grace Robinson, and Mrs. Virginia R. Wiik.
  • Walpole: Mrs. Patricia Livsley and Mrs. Evelyn Sienkiewicz.
  • Weymouth: Miss Virginia Lafayette, Miss Theresa MacLean, and Miss Joan Robbins.
  • Stoughton: Mrs. Barbara Murphy and Mrs. Evelyn Russell.
  • Milton: Mrs. Virginia Gately and Mrs. Dorothy Mason.
  • Rockland: Mrs. Gail Laime.
  • Wellesley: Miss Joanne Scheppman.
  • Dedham: Miss Winifred Renwick.
  • East Bridgewater: Miss Rebecca Corthell.
  • Canton: Miss Jane Grant.
  • Wrentham: Mrs. Dorothy Harper.
  • Marshfield: Miss Marianne Kindamo.
  • Brockton: Mrs. Lucille Smith.
  • Avon: Miss Barbara Standish.
  • Bellingham: Miss Joanna Tosti.
  • Squantum: Miss Lucille Warnes.
  • Norfolk: Miss Jeanne Wilson.

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

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