Tuesday was another day to shed the uniform.  Jeans day had a lot of our students sporting their best of the blue denim fabric.  Even the medical coordinator sported her best outfit, joining in with the festivities.  Some students were just glad she was not getting on them about their uniforms!  WHEW!

Wednesday was pizza day and students fellowshipped and dined on pizza from their favorite place.  With so many to choose from, the consensus was Papa John’s.

Thursday was question and answer day; how to transition from student to employee.  The career services representative, Ms. Brenda Houck was present along with Ms. Kristen Chandler, a MA instructor and former graduate from CVAB.  The day session was very informative about job searching and marketing their skills as a MA.

The evening session was held by Ms. Chandler and also Ms. Sherry Lyons.  Ms. Lyons is a night instructor here at CVAB, but also she is a manager for two bariatric clinics under Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.  Valuable information was passed to our students from a mangers point of view.

Several of our students expressed their appreciation for  the efforts that were put forth to make them feel a part of the medical assistant community and pride in their profession.

During the end of Medical Assistant Week, there was yet more to do!  We had awarded prizes to our outstanding students who had perfect attendance that week and scored the highest on their test.  Needless to say, we had to have a drawing due to so many outstanding performing students.  The winners are:  Tracy Respass and Krishna Patel for Perfect Attendance for Evening Students; Chloe Curtis and Brennan Brown, for Perfect Attendance for Day Students; Katharine Henry with the Highest Test Score for the Evening Student, and Asha Diggs for the Highest Grade for the Day Student!

The Alpha Beta Kappa (ABK) serves  as the premiere national honor society for private career colleges and universities in America for over 30 years.   Ms. Lois Epps-Medley, an alumni, led the induction ceremony of the members. Ms. Epps-Medley explained the meaning of Official emblem of the Society, including the Greek letters A.B.K., the Star, the Laurel Branches, and the Official Flower and Colors.   The A is  the first letter of the Greek alphabet and associated with the goddess of wisdom, “Athena.”   The B is the second letter of the Greek alphabet and signifies the Spartan General, “Brasidas.” The  tenth letter of the Greek alphabet, the K represents “Kudos” which denotes glory, credit, and praise.    The following students from the Business Department were inducted into the ABK Chapter at the Virginia Beach Campus of Centura College:  Carla Stacey, Angela Bermudez, Jacqueline Wheaton, and Lourdes Parker

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) is an acknowledged leader for recognizing outstanding student achievement in the field of career and technical education.   The Faculty, Staff, and Advisory Council of the National Technical Honor Society  recognized the inducted members for their exemplary hard work and dedication in their chosen vocational fields of study.  Ms. Tiffany Sheldon, Medical Instructor, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.   The following staff members  participated in the  candle lighting ceremony:  Ms. Ciara Scarborough, Receptionist, Ms. Brittany Stephens, Student Representative, Ms. Debra Hays-Humphries, Massage Therapy Instructor, and Ms. Tina Ruediger, Admissions Representative and Alumni.  They explained the meaning or attribute of each of the seven candles.   Each Candle represents one of the seven attributes of membership into the Society, including:  Skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership.   Those candles surround the “Candle of Knowledge” which represents the knowledge gained by these students through both life experience and study.

The Program Coordinators presented each of the inductees a membership certificate and an official pin.  Mrs. Doninique Hicks-Gill, School Financial Aid Officer and Alumni, led the new members in reciting the society pledge of  membership.   The following students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS):   Danie’le Allen, Clyde Alleyne, Sheena Anderson, Kelly Bowman, Sheena Bridgers, Erik Caurthens, Vickie Cherry, Andrea Cook, Diane Creekmore, Zakkiyya Crolle-Jordan, Edgar  Cruz-Senga, Vera Diaz, Veronica Fairman, Mary Green, James Guyet, Shanice Hill, Paula Hughes, Derick Jackson, Anthony Johnson, Tianna Jones, Rebecca Konshak, Deandra Lewis, Tierra Price, Jennifer Pritchard, Vicky Sadler, Susan Sebzda, Latisha Simmons, Carla Stacey, Cynthia Weldon, Jacqueline Wheaton, and Kenny Woodard .

As the National Technical Honor Society Advisor, Ms. Mary Morgan, introduced all the members to the Centura family and community.   She was very pleased with the participation and the extraordinary membership.   She added that these newly appointed inductees of these societies will be recognized at the Centura College’s Commencement on August 20, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Spring Branch Community Church.

Ms. Beth Hall, our School Director, congratulated the inductees for their hard work and excellence for being inducted into the honor societies.   Mr. Jeff Barbour, the School Librarian, concluded the ceremony by reading the poem, “To be of Use” by Marge Piercy.