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Edison grads overcome challenges to forge a new life
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Edison College commencement
Edison College held its commencement ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Beach Resort on Friday, May 2, 2008, in Naples.
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After her six-year-old daughter developed a heart problem, Keats Byssainthe decided to become a nurse.
Byssainthe, 32, dedicated herself to earning an associate’s degree in science from the nursing program at Edison College’s Collier County campus.
She reached that goal Friday when she became one of 99 graduates of Edison College’s Collier Campus recognized during a commencement ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
“I just praised the Lord I just finished,” Byssainthe, a native of Haiti, said.
Byssainthe, who suffers from thyroid problems, said she wanted to become a registered nurse to take care of her family, herself and others.
In her final semester, Byssainthe went to the hospital at least twice a week for urinary tract infections and chest pains. She also struggled with fatigue when her thyroid level was low and migraine headaches that at times would last for two months.
Many of Friday’s graduates like Byssainthe were born in countries, such as Haiti, Trinidad, Colombia, Ireland and Mexico, where life was hard.
Byssainthe, of Golden Gate, said she wouldn’t have been able to go to college in Haiti, but in the U.S. she is able work and pay for college.
Other graduates, such as Rudy Trevino, the president of the student government association, were the first in their families to pursue higher education.
After thanking the staff, Collier campus President Jeff Allbritten congratulated the grads.
Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, the keynote speaker, recognized graduates for their achievements.
Barnett told the crowd of about 600 he was thrilled about participating in the ceremony, since he didn’t finish college.
And the grads are prepared.
Barnett recommended grads bring out a soft heart when faced with uncomfortable situations.
Before the diplomas were conferred, three grads and one faculty member were given special awards based on the accomplishments and contributions.
The Auguste Rodin Award was presented to biology faculty member Linda Weinland.
Also, the Plummer Awards were presented to graduating seniors Victor Diaz and Camila Avila, both earned their associate’s degrees in arts.
To Trevino’s surprise, Allbritten presented him with the President’s Award, which each year is given to a graduating student who is truly extraordinary. It honors the student who has risen above adversity to succeed in a collegiate environment or who has persisted and excelled in the face of constant setbacks.
The room was full of cheers and applause.
“We are really proud of him,” Trevino’s mother, Irma Trevino, 63, said.
Within a few moments the room was filled with applause as campus Dean Henry Linck asked students to turn their tassels.
As students embark on their future, Trevino, a first generation graduate from a migrant family, got a chance to share the excitement that all graduates felt Friday night.
Trevino, 20, a Project Hope Scholar graduating with honors, told the crowd the importance of proceeding forward without fear of uncertainty.
“It’s a big accomplishment for me,” said Trevino, a Multiple Sclerosis Society senior intern and Phi Theta Kappan. Trevino earned an associate’s of arts degree.
After graduation, Byssainthe plans to have radioactive iodine therapy for her thyroid problem, which had been postponed in order to complete her degree.
For the past eight years, Byssainthe has worked at Fresenius Medical Care, a dialysis center, and plans to continue to work at the center, but now as a registered nurse.
Byssainthe, who has been married for seven years, said the faith that she has in God and her family kept her motivated.
She plans to continue studying nursing next year and later perhaps continue at the college’s new Allied Health Science Hall.
For others, the road ahead will lead away from Edison.
“It’s sad to leave because I’ve made a lot of friends and created such a tight networking community with faculty and staff,” said Trevino, who plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University to purse a career in marketing. “However, I’m excited to move in a journey of new challenges that lay ahead.”
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A list of graduates provided by Edison.
The following students earned an associate in science nursing degree: Maryse Alexandre-Joseph, Nicole Ambrosini, Keats Byssainthe, Racquel Cooke, Elizabeth Diaz, Lina Garcia, Andrew Grey, Syndia Jacques, Marie Jean Gilles, Dinnette Joseph, Emerline Metellus, Mejynne Nicolas, Yannick Odiete, Abdul Olaniyan, Nanette Perkins, Nancy Sanchez, Kelly Shreve, Lisa Sikorski, Dorota Slonowska, Sophia Small, Melissa VanZandt and Jessica Vergara.
The following students earned an associate of arts degree: Garrett Anthony Jr., Camila Avila, Mabel Barba, Lynnette Barber, William Bayer, Linda Bedolla, Catherine Breen, Maria Brochado, Nolitha Brutus, Sarah Burt, Natalie Casanova-Tejeda, Kaylisha Causey, Absar Choudhary, Vanessa Colvett, Racquel Cooke, Tiana Cruz, Kathleen DeFurio, Carin DeRossett, Jean-Gardy Desroches, Victor Diaz, Claudia Diaz, Elizabeth Diaz, Christopher Donaldson, Chrystal Durity, Amy Eckhart, Romelus Emmanuel, Juana Fernandez, Fabio Fina, Dallacnis Fuentes, Christine Fuller, Jennifer Futch, Amanda Gagnon, Linda Garcia, Jamie Gonzalez, Andrew Grey, Pierre Grilo, Camilla Hall, Andressa Hara-Drohan, Justin Harkness, Jessica Hosmer, Dritan Hoxhalli, Marissa Kief, Ryan Korbel, Edward Kring, Mark Kupper, Allison LaHurd, Jenna Large, Sabrina Leandre, Joanna Londono, Marco Lora, Tanya Matarese, Emily McDowell, Scott McNulty, Alma Meleqi, Kevin Morton, Victoria Muir, Kristen Nobile, Beatrice Padin, Mickenson Pierre, Darlene Riveron, Janette Rodriguez, Guerdeline Sainval, John Sainval, Harrise Samson, Michael Santiago, Sarah Schafer, Elda Senatus, Rosa Simone, Sarah Smith, Taylor Smith, Zachary Smith, Cynthia St. Jean, Jennifer Stoneburner, Taunie Tanelus, Sarah Thomarios, Vi Tran, Rodolfo Trevino, Melissa Vasallo, Julian Villablanca, Bartlomiej Wilk, Michele Willaims, Tenelle Wilson and Jose Zegarra.
Jessalea Whitesell received an associate of criminal justice degree.
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Congratulations Edison Grads! Your hard work paid off. Well done!
Mr. Bill Barnett, the time has come to finish your degree. You've inspired these students, and lots of others in Naples along the way.
So now it is your turn to complete your education. It is never too late.
When I finally graduated from college, the youngest student was 16, and the oldest was 78 years old.
So when you speak at another commencement, you can then say you know how it feels.
Education is forever, and you CAN finish what you started.
#1 Posted by beetlejuice on May 3, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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