NORTH HAVEN — Naugatuck residents Danielle Colantuono and Amanda Maxwell were among 36 students from Gateway Community College’s associate degree nursing program who recently participated in a pinning ceremony to mark the transition from student to professional.
Pinning ceremonies trace their origins to nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, who received the Cross of St. George from Britain’s Queen Victoria in 1855 for her service in caring for injured British soldiers. When special nursing schools were later founded using Nightingale’s principles and practices, the awarding of pins and medals to outstanding graduates became increasingly common until it was eventually established as a right of passage from student to practitioner.
The ceremony was held Dec. 16 at GCC’s North Haven campus. Colantuono and Maxwell will graduate in January.
