DOWNINGTOWN, PA – November 22, 2024 – Two standout students from Technical College High School (TCHS) have achieved top honors in the Chester County Intermediate Unit‘s (CCIU) Practical Nursing Program (PNP). Cindy Gonzalez-Arizaga and Jose Maria Maya-Zamora were recognized as valedictorians of their graduating class and celebrated for their dedication and accomplishments.
The CCIU Practical Nursing Program provides students with the training needed to excel in the healthcare field, combining rigorous academics and hands-on experience. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam and launch careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
Cindy Gonzalez-Arizaga, a graduate of Avon Grove High School and TCHS Pennock’s Bridge, is continuing her education at St. Joseph’s University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Reflecting on her path, she said, “I found interest in the Practical Nursing Program and the healthcare industry through experiences at the CCIU and my time at TCHS in the Health Career Pathways program.”
Jose Maria Maya-Zamora, a West Chester Henderson High School and TCHS Brandywine alumnus, discovered the program thanks to an instructor who introduced him to the opportunity. “She took me next door to show me the program, and right then I knew I could do it,” he explained. Jose Maria plans to work as a home health nurse, a field he learned about through guest speakers from healthcare companies like Bayada Home Health Care. Praising the program’s instructors, he shared, “The classroom content was good, but what really made the program to me was the amazing instructors.”
Under the leadership of Director Beth Ann Puckett, the program highlights the value of career-focused education in empowering students to pursue rewarding healthcare roles. Cindy and Jose Maria’s success stories underscore the program’s commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has officially opened applications for the next Practical Nursing Program (PNP) cohort at its Downingtown campus. Designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in nursing, the CCIU PNP combines rigorous academic training with hands-on clinical experience. Interested individuals can learn more about the program or begin their application by contacting 484-593-5950 or visiting www.chestercountynursing.org.
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