Karla Jiminez and Dynasty Castro, the first two NHI Sacramento graduates

Sacramento had the benefit of having Dynasty Castro and Karla Jimenez as the 1st senior group. Transferring to the new Sacramento Campus from NHI Petaluma after their junior segment, they led the juniors in their new group of massage therapists with spirit and professionalism. They served as great role models for the rest of the student body.

As they accepted their diplomas, they shared their thoughts and feelings of their education and time at NHI.  I can assert we were struck by much of what they said. Their experience was profound, their words were passionate. I know many students and graduates can relate to their statements and sentiments: (to paraphrase) This place feels like a true community – They learned many lessons along the way – NHI helped them develop an amazing skill, and now they can love their work.

I want to end this post with an excerpt from a poem, read at the ceremony by Klayna Snider – Campus Manager

Remember what is most important;
It’s not having everything go right,
It’s facing whatever goes wrong.
It’s not being without fear,
It’s having the determination to go on in spite of it
- Vicky M Worsham.

We wish them well in their new careers! The Massage Therapy community just gained 2 great body-workers.

-Lucas Nevarez
Teacher / Mentor – Sacramento Campus

NHI congratulates its most recent massage therapy graduates: Kristine Arismendy, Suzanne Bose, Ottavia D’Alelio, Eliza Duncan, Amanda Fernandez, Zach Hamel, Maria Hernandez, Kim Hixon, Hillary Holweg, Lesia Lopez, Martha Mintz, Katherine Osborn, Michael Paniagua, Gregory Perez, and Cody Young.

Suzanne Bose, Ottavia D’Alelio, Hillary Holweg, and Cody Young received Letters of Excellence for maintaining a 3.5 Grade Point Average or better and 90% attendance or better in the current segment.

Ottavia D’Alelio Graduated with Honors by maintaining a 4.0 Grade Point Average and 90% attendance or better throughout the entire program.

On a bittersweet note, this was Leisha Anders’ last group (see related blog below).

WHOOSH!

As much fun as it is to welcome new students, it’s bittersweet to see them graduate.  Just when it feels like we’ve gotten to know them, they leave.  Boy, does 10 months fly by!  But we’re proud to see them leave the nest to do what they came here for – help others through massage.

This week saw new students coming in on Tuesday and graduates leaving on Thursday.  Group 50′s graduation yesterday was full of laughter and tears.  A brain cancer survivor (twice!), another who started the course in grieving, a mom ready to have a new career, a son whose dad surprised him from the East Coast to attend graduation – these were just some of the powerful stories that were shared.

The Final Whoosh!

We wish you all much success (but we’ll miss you too)!