The teachers and students of the Health, Assistance and Nursing program at the Chateauguay Valley Career Education Centre in Ormstown took a moment during their February 9 graduation ceremony to celebrate one of their own.
Paisley Maitland, who is the youngest member of the graduating cohort, was awarded the Ordre des Infirmiers et Infirmières Auxiliaires du Québec (OIIAQ) medal of merit. Carole Grant, the president of the OIIAQ, presented the award, which recognizes one student for their professionalism exhibited during the course the program.
The CVCEC health programs department head, Danielle Boak, explained that while the medal is not awarded every year, Maitland was especially deserving and was the unanimous choice amongst the teachers to receive it.
Following the ceremony, Grant explained that the medal “is a great way to highlight the excellent work of students,” while noting it also helps to demystify the order, which can be somewhat abstract for students. “Putting a face to the person representing the order is always a plus,” she added.
Maitland said she was surprised to receive the medal. She admitted the graduation ceremony was bittersweet, as she is excited to be leaving the program but sad to be leaving her teachers, classmates and friends.