Two classes graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides during apprenticeship program ceremonies at the EEE Center in Newport News and Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kilmarnock on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program includes classwork, clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience. It also covers the cost of the state exam to be a CNA.
It’s unusual for the graduations to be held on the same day, and the Virginia Health Services team split attendance in congratulating the students.
Peninsula ceremony
VHS Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN, told the class the sky is the limit in healthcare.
“Take what you have accomplished with this class and utilize it as a stepping stone for your career,” she said. Princess was valedictorian of her VHS class in 2008. “This class is a wonderful foundation for nursing or medical school, and it makes each of you a better caretaker.”
The Peninsula graduates are: Daniella Brown (valedictorian), Cierra Henley (co-salutatorian), Monique Holmes (Heart Award), Raina Inge, J’Miyah Keys, Tysayah McDonald, Kevonna Murray (co-salutatorian), Makenna Siviter, Savannah Smoot and Kellyann Wilson.
Vice President of Operations Don Lundin encouraged the students to celebrate their success and embrace it in his closing remarks. He got a little choked up after hearing Daniella Brown’s valedictory address.
“I feel that one of the best parts of this program is getting to see the comradery and growth each of you experience,” he said.
Lancashire ceremony
VHS Vice President of Nursing Rebecca Boyd, RN, told the students at Lancashire they graduated at the end of national CNA Week, which had a “We are the Champions” theme.
“You are champions for your residents and each other,” Rebecca said. “This takes a tremendous amount of team work. It’s the start of your career, and the sky’s the limit.”
The Lancashire graduates are: Angel Burnham, Christa Canter, Chanelle Conaway (Heart Award), Elizabeth Hinson (valedictorian), Richele Hurley (salutatorian), Amani Roy and CinSere Turner (Persistence Award).
Lancashire Administrator Amy Payne welcomed her new team members — six of the seven graduates will remain at Lancashire — and said, “This is home for me, and I hope it’s a home to you as well.”
Peninsula class notes
Peninsula Instructor Terry Williamson, LPN, said this class was different because the students were ready to “get down to business and have career paths they are pursuing. They took the class seriously and with determination.”
The students exhibited professionalism, excellent customer service, listened and took the time to get to know the residents, and were dedicated to learning the right way of doing things.
Cierra Henley’s father, Damien, is the nurse scheduler at James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and joined VHS in 2018. His daughter also joins the team at James River following graduation.
Monique Holmes, who earned the Heart Award, was dedicated to her residents, Princess and Terry said. She assisted her classmates and “led with heart.”
Daniella Brown and Raina Inge are roommates at VCU and decided to take the class together to give themselves a stronger foundation as they pursue healthcare careers. Daniella looks to be a doctor and Raina was accepted into RN school.
Lancashire class notes
Six of the seven graduates at Lancashire were already working in the facility when they enrolled in the class, including as Care Assistants and in housekeeping.
Instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, said the students have the heart and skill to take care of the residents and rose to the occasion in mastering their clinical skills.
Main instructor Tracy Williams, MSN, BSN, RN, told the students they are the foundation for the nursing team.
“You are with the residents longer and will notice any changes to identify to the nursing team,” she said.
CinSere Turner earned Tracy’s new Persistence Award for going first in skills labs and setting an example.
Heart Award recipient Chanelle Conaway made the class fun and interesting, Tracy said.
Salutatorian Richele Hurley completed her clinicals on the Memory Care Unit at Lancashire and excelled.
“I want to thank you,” Nora told the class. “Nothing about this is easy. You pulled together as a team and you have all the tools, heart and compassion.”
Valedictorians
Peninsula valedictorian Daniella Brown currently is on track for med school at VCU, where she wants to be an OB/GYN.
Her remarks were impactful and rang true for this class.
“We did not just learn skills for a job, we learned life skills,” she said. “We learned not to minimize the strength it took us to get through the six-week course. We did not just earn a certificate, we earned a future.”
She and Terry both quoted Maya Angelou, saying, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Lancashire valedictorian Elizabeth Hinson is going to the team at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester.
“I am humbled and honored to be speaking today as class valedictorian. Ladies, we did it. Despite trials and tribulations life chose to throw at us … we finally made it to graduation,” she said. “To go through this program with such amazing, incredible women is blessing. To meet, know and work aside along all of you, I will miss you all dearly as I venture to Walter Reed. … Remember our training – this is more than just a job … Always be true to yourself.
About the program
The earn-as-you-learn nurse aide apprenticeship program is offered several times throughout the year on the Peninsula and at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester. Courses are sometimes offered at Lancashire.
The six-week course includes classwork, clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience at VHS nursing and rehabilitation centers. It also includes reviews and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.
Learn more and apply at vahs.com/apprenticeship
