Amarillo College will be hosting several celebrations this week, including a pinning ceremony and anniversary event on Thursday and two commencement ceremonies on Friday.
Amarillo College nursing program celebrates 75 years
The Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at Amarillo College will celebrate 75 years of preparing compassionate, skilled nurses during its Spring 2026 pinning ceremonies on Thursday, May 14.
The milestone will be honored as part of a dual ceremony recognizing both Vocational Nursing (VN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduates at The Church at Quail Creek. The VN pinning ceremony will be at 2 p.m., followed by ADNs at 6 p.m. and a reception afterward for LVN graduates, alumni and community partners.
“For 75 years, this program has been shaping nurses who make a real difference in patients’ lives and in communities across the Texas Panhandle,” said Aaron Gann, AC program director of the LVN program and instructor. “This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our students, and the enduring impact of Amarillo College.”
The program’s legacy is reflected in the stories of its students. Chase O’Daniel, a Level II student graduating this spring, said his path into nursing was inspired by his mother’s battle with a serious neurological condition. “Being able to see her process in the healthcare field — and the difference good nurses make — showed me I wanted to be that positive impact for someone else,” said O’Daniel, who plans to begin work after graduation in pediatric home health while continuing his education toward becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
For Beatriz Boardingham, the journey into nursing was shaped by personal loss and a desire to provide the kind of care her family once received. “My mom had a wonderful hospice nurse, and that experience really influenced me to come back to school,” Boardingham said. Balancing school with raising her children, she credits the program’s support system for helping her succeed. “The support system here is exceptional,” she said. “There’s never a dumb question, and the instructors are always there for you.”
2 p.m. commencement: Racheal Garcia to be featured speaker
Racheal Garcia, a graduate of AC’s LVN program, will be the student commencement speaker for the 3 p.m. AC graduation ceremony Friday, May 15 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum. More than 1,400 students are eligible to graduate during AC’s spring commencement ceremonies, and the 3 p.m. ceremony will include graduates in health sciences, industry and public service.
Garcia, a nontraditional student who returned to college while raising her granddaughters and supporting her family through illness, will address fellow graduates with a message centered on perseverance, purpose and the value of hard work. “I was so excited and so nervous — just beyond honored,” Garcia said of being selected as speaker. “I’m just me, but being chosen made me feel special.”
Garcia’s journey to nursing began in childhood, inspired by her grandmother, an LVN who graduated from Amarillo College in 1967. She recalls accompanying her to work and developing an early appreciation for patient care. Years later, after raising her own children, Garcia felt called to return to school to pursue a meaningful and stable career while caring for her family. “I wanted something I could fall back on — something meaningful,” she said. “Nursing just felt right.”
Throughout the program, Garcia discovered a passion for hands-on care, particularly during clinical rotations that exposed her to a wide range of healthcare settings. A recent hospice experience affirmed her calling. “I want to be there for people,” she said. “When someone takes their first breath, their last breath, and everything in between — that’s meaningful work.”
Garcia’s grandchildren, ages 4 and 8, will be in attendance — watching as she becomes the first in her family to walk across a graduation stage. “I’ve never worn a cap and gown before,” she said. “We’re even decorating my cap together. They’re so excited — and so am I.”
7 p.m. commencement: Student-athlete to deliver speech
Mallory Moore, the first student-athlete in Amarillo College history to be selected for the honor, will speak at the 7 p.m. AC commencement ceremony Friday, May 15 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum. The 7 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates in business, computer information systems, creative arts, education, liberal arts and STEM fields. Both ceremonies will be livestreamed.
Moore, a Badger cross country runner who competed at the national level both years she attended Amarillo College, said she was surprised and humbled to be chosen. “I was so honored,” she said. “There are so many talented and amazing students here, so I just couldn’t believe it.”
A graduate of Tascosa High School, Moore came to Amarillo College on a cross country scholarship after being recruited by her former coach. What began as an opportunity to compete quickly became something more. “I came for cross country, but I got so much more out of it,” she said. “There have been so many opportunities beyond running.”
Moore and her teammates qualified for national competitions both seasons, traveling to Richmond, Virginia, and Fort Dodge, Iowa. Her path to graduation, however, has been anything but traditional. Moore spent part of her childhood living in Boys Ranch where her parents worked. Then, followed a unique academic journey that included homeschooling and dual-credit coursework before returning to Tascosa. “I’ve had kind of a wild ride, but it’s been a really meaningful one,” she said.
Moore will continue her education at West Texas A&M University, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. She hopes to build a career in health and wellness coaching or collegiate athletics. As commencement speaker, Moore plans to encourage graduates to embrace their individual paths.
“Everyone’s journey looks different, but they all matter,” she said. “There’s purpose in every step.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo College to celebrate LVN program, spring 2026 graduates
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
