Published on May 20, 2026 10:33 am
Last Updated on May 20, 2026 10:33 am
Lake Land College Nursing Instructor Jessica Byers presents the 2026 Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Award to Alivia Young, Shelbyville, during the annual Spring Lake Land College Associate Degree Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Lake Land College recognized its latest class of graduating nurses at the annual Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) pinning ceremony. During the ceremony, all Spring 2026 ADN graduates were recognized for completing the program, and several students received awards for academic and clinical excellence.
The Associate Degree Nurse Program Peer Awards were presented to three students who best exhibited professionalism, excellence and care in the classroom: Shania Patton of Altamont, Sara Myers of Paris and Lauren Ashmore of Ashmore.
A new award for 2026, the Outstanding Nursing Club Member Award, was presented to Shaukana Miller of Mattoon for demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership and service throughout her time in the Lake Land College Nursing Club.
Alivia Young of Shelbyville received the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award, presented each year to the graduate identified as the all-around best student in the class. Selected by faculty, this award recipient consistently demonstrates professionalism, responsibility, wise decision-making, compassion, dedication, superior technical skills, strong scientific knowledge and composure in class and clinical experiences. Young’s name will be added to a plaque in the nursing lab in Neal Hall listing all past Marilyn Fuqua Thompson award recipients.
Area graduates are Sayuri Carrillo of Effingham, Courtney Gibson of Teutopolis, Jaime Glick of Windsor, Amber Goen of Stewardson, Heather Hale of Windsor, Jade Latta of Effingham, Heidi Lindemann of Newton, Natalie Lohman of Effingham, Lauran Mathis of Effingham, Megan Meinhart of Effingham, Estella Mette of Dieterich, Brittany Miller of Toledo, Shania Patton of Altamont, Caleb Peck of Sigel, Audrey Ray of Greenup, Megan Rieman of Watson, Ashley Roedl of Watson, Kiah Saunders of Watson, Paige Stremming of Strasburg, Chelsea Louise Tegeler of Mason, Emma Thompson of Effingham, and Teresa Viramontes of Farina.
