CHARLTON - Recently, the members of the Practical Nursing Class of 2022 at Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy in conjunction with the mother-daughter team of Lizzette Hernandez and Marylee Panient both of Southbridge hosted a Lunar New Year celebration and quasi-lit the cafeteria at the Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School with colorful paper lanterns to kick off the year of the tiger. February happens to be Hernandez’s birthday month and she graciously took leadership of the evening’s diversity celebration. Professor Sarah Watson, MSN Ed, RN of Worcester and Academy Director Gretheline Bolandrina, DHA, MSN Ed, RN, CRRN of Douglas attended. “It is wonderful for PN Class of 2022 to celebrate each other, unite, find strength within our communities, and together make Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy an even more vibrant place to learn,” Bolandrina  said.

  Bolandrina awarded members of the Mock Code Team (MCT) their MCT patches presented in colorful Chinese take-out boxes. The MCT members are Felisters Mburu of Shrewsbury, Jane Miru of Worcester, Rebecca Lorre of Oxford, Sarah Garcia of Charlton, Luciane Lindvay of Spencer, Martha Aboagye of Worcester, Marylee Panient of Southbridge, and Marites Sklarz of Southbridge. Bolandrina also recognized the three students recommended for induction to the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) namely, Sarah Garcia of Charlton, Eunice Kamau of Worcester, and Marvellous Undag of Worcester. The NTHS inductees received NTHS mementos in a red envelope, known as hongbao or ang pao. Traditionally given as gifts during holidays or for special occasions, the red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits. Red envelopes are also gifted when a person is visiting, as a gesture of kindness for visiting. The PN Class of 2022 feasted on traditional Chinese dishes (take-out, individually packaged from two local Chinese restaurants), fortune cookies, and special Chinese dessert of  walnut, date and black sesame slice (shared by Gladiola DeKing of Milford).