Keirah Lauer, BJ Peterson Distinguished Graduate Award winner
Victoria College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program honored 57 Spring 2026 graduates during a Pinning Ceremony on May 14 at VC’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.
The graduates received their pins during the ceremony with family and friends in attendance.
Among this year’s graduates were 22 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) who returned to VC to advance their careers toward becoming registered nurses (RNs) through the college’s LVN-to-ADN Transition Program. Huong Amy Pham and Keirah Lauer were recognized for having the highest GPAs in the generic track. Leighann Castillo and Julianna Torres had the highest GPAs in the LVN-to-ADN bridge track. Robert Cliffe and Immaculate Gyamera-Acheampong had the highest GPAs in the hybrid track.
Keirah Lauer was also awarded the BJ Peterson Distinguished Graduate Award, which recognizes a single ADN Program graduate whose sincere dedication and passion toward the field of nursing is regarded as exemplary.
Graduates listed by city of residence are:
Bastrop: Brittany Patterson
Cuero: Michael Cantu and Leighann Castillo
Edna: Rosalba Carrera, Monica Obsta, Amy Sanchez and Cheryl Snyder
Ganado: Britany Alexander
Gonzales: Jeniffer Gallardo
Hallettsville: Emily Klimitchek and Arianna Resendiz
Meyersville: Nicole Bauer
New Braunfels: Mia Wilson
Port Lavaca: Brandy Aldana, Alyssa Lopez, Alma Pacheco, Lacey Szela, Eduardo Torres and Juliana Torres
Port O’Connor: Grace Harney
Rosenberg: Jaydon Martinez
Smithville: Maria Garza
Victoria: Alenna Alvarado, Ogechi Anodere, Carissa Arredondo, Cielo Barron, Angela Benitez, Jasmine Carroll, Arianna Castillo, Ashley Cuellar, Sadie Eichler, Alyssa Flowers, Marissa Garcia, Darian Garza, Victoria Garza, Gabriella Gomez, Leslie Gonzalez, Immaculate Gyamera-Acheampong, Victoria Mayorga, Madeline Mendoza, Kayla Morin, Emily Parker, Serina Perez, Huong Amy Pham, Gracen Rodgers, Giovanna Rosas, Mackenzie Ross, Mallory Santana, Jillian Santos, Madison Silkey, Shacola Stinson and Callie Voss
Yoakum: Robert Cliffe Jr., Ruth Herrera, Keirah Lauer, Maribel Rocha and Angelica Ruiz
Victoria College’s two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Successful completion of the ADN Program enables graduates to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Satisfactory achievement on the exam qualifies graduates for licensure as a registered nurse.
Mid-level pay for RNs in the Golden Crescent averages $39.09 per hour (including overtime) – a considerable step up from the $28.60 average for LVNs – according to Lightcast data. For more information on Victoria College’s nursing programs, visit VictoriaCollege.edu/HealthCareers.