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!

Leisha Anders has been a teaching fixture at NHI for the last 7 years.  This Friday she leaves us to be closer to her family in Texas.  If only NHI had a campus in Dallas!

Today at our weekly faculty meeting, we presented Leisha with a framed collage of her time here.  Leisha spent her first 5 years at the Emeryville campus.  Then 2 years ago she moved to Los Angeles to help open the Encino campus.  At the time, it was more of a happy accident than some sort of master plan on our part.  But oh how fortunate we were!  I truly can’t imagine the Encino campus without her.

Leisha has been a source of knowledge and inspiration to students and staff alike.  She inhabits the NHI curriculum and culture like few others.  NHI Director of Education Linda Rikli recently said,

“We greet her news with a sad heart, but with the knowledge that we, NHI, are better in so many ways because of her time with us.”

While we will truly miss your presence, Leisha, we will never forget the spirit you’ve left behind.

In 5^th Place with a combined 8%…the disparate team of Liat & Jenelle…

Enough voters mistook Leisha & Craig’s pumpkin for an Obama look-alike giving them 4^th Place with 10%…

The talents of John & Jen overcame the subject matter (yes, that’s my face on a pumpkin) to achieve 18% and 3^rd Place…

Jan & pinch-hitter Joe Bob drove Nancy’s idea home with 30% and a very close 2^nd Place…

And in 1^st Place…

(drum roll, please…)

With the help of props…

(drum roll, continues…)

And electric lighting…

(drum roll, a little more intense…)

Denise and Vanessa claim a 1^st Place victory with 33%!!

Congratulations to everyone!!