Afton nursing student gives SWCC graduation address

A triumphant spirit of conquering fears was a theme of Southwestern Community College’s 2025 nursing commencement ceremony, all while still being grateful for the family and close friends who have supported graduates through their time at the college.

SWCC President Lindsay Stoaks welcomed the graduates and their families and reminded graduates of the hard work it took to get them to this point.

“Today, we celebrate more than diplomas,” Stoaks said. “We celebrate determination, resilience and the countless hours you have invested into your future. Each of you has a story to tell: challenges overcome, goals achieved and dreams beginning to unfold.”

The student speaker was Taylor Greene of Afton. Greene was elected as the RN class president and served on the Southwestern Student Senate.

Reflecting back on her time at SWCC, Greene joined with the student body and remembered the struggles every student goes through.

“If there is one thing all of us here has learned, it’s have to conquer our fears,” Greene said.

She remembered her orientation two years ago where she asked herself if she belonged among the student body. Balancing her life as both a mom with two boys and a student with studying and clinical trials was daunting.

“I was filled with self-doubt that day,” Greene said. “Instead of walking to the bookstore to purchase my required texts or try on a uniform... I went to my car and cried. I asked God if this was his plan for me; if I could really do this.”

These fears, Greene explained, were something every student goes through. As students practice for the first time, this fear of failure shouldn’t stop them from their achievements. No matter the circumstances of their lives, what Greene described as “the responsibilities back home,” overcoming those fears is an evolution.

Addressing the students in the room, both future and current, Greene gave a test about how to handle personal fears.

“We could, A, ignore fear. B, confront it. C, grow from it. Or D, learn from it,” Greene said. “Please select all that apply.”

Greene’s address was forward facing and at times emotional. As she was listing those who have supported her, the faculty and her fellow graduates, she noted how she might cry during her address. Six minutes later, she did while addressing nursing instructor Maureen Weaver’s contributions to the nursing program.

Weaver would later give words of congratulations during the commencement ceremony to the RN students.

While closing her address, Green asked the children of graduates in the audience to stand, including her own children, and told graduates to find their “kiddo” in the crowd.

“You have been our greatest motivation, our source of strength, and our biggest cheerleaders.” Greene said. “You have endured late nights and early mornings going along with us... For that, I am so eternally thankful for you. Thankful for your patience, your love and your understanding. This achievement is not just ours; it’s yours too.”

When Greene stepped down and Stoaks returned to the stage, Stoaks was moved.

“I think you made us all cry, Taylor,” she said.

SWCC presented 59 students with diplomas for practical nursing education and 34 degrees for registered nursing. Practical nursing students all gave the practical nurse’s pledge after receiving their diplomas and lamps.

Later on Friday, SWCC also celebrated the career and technical education as well as the arts and sciences with their own commencement ceremony. The ceremony celebrated the awarding of 266 diplomas and degrees.