More than 40 graduate from Occupational Therapy Assistant program

来自草榴社区州立社区学院职业学院的40多名学生 治疗助理（OTA）项目在年度颁奖典礼上获得表彰 graduates.

临时项目主管Rachel Gooch将43名毕业生的旅程比作 growing plant.

One of her favorite quotes is “We must have roots to rise,” she said.

“你可能觉得我们把你埋在一堆教科书、作业和讲座下面 和项目，但事实是，你们被播种了，”古奇对毕业生们说. “你是种子，你的课程的内容是水和营养 you needed to grow roots. Often, we don’t see the roots of a plant. They grow deep and reach far searching for sustenance so that the plant can grow and thrive. I’m 当然，有很多日子你觉得自己在黑暗中寻找 你的课本和幻灯片给出了很多问题的答案 themselves daily.”

在整个学期中，古奇说她很荣幸能看到她的学生的根 随着他们从田野工作中获得知识，并“开始发芽”，他们变得越来越深 limbs of interest through hands-on experience. You began applying your knowledge and your patients reaped the benefits.

“我希望你茁壮成长，向着天空，向着知识之光。 当风开始吹起，你的树枝摇晃时，我希望你记得你的 roots,” Gooch continued. “Your roots will provide your support and strength. You’ve 投入工作，现在相信你的根，因为你需要你的根才能 rise.”

OTA讲师兼学术实地考察协调员凯利·威尔逊（Kelly Wilson）表示祝贺 graduates for their success and their inspiring dedication and perseverance.

“当你在事业上前进时，记得用同样的方式去追求你的梦想 determination you've shown here,” Wilson said. “The field of occupational therapy is not just a job; it’s a calling to make a difference in the lives of others. As 你帮助人们克服挑战，重新获得独立，你扮演了一个至关重要的角色 in their journey. Remember the words of Albert Schweitzer: “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

来自亨那格的凯莉·罗登（左）是草榴社区州立职业治疗中心的主席 2024届助理班，接受临时项目主席Rachel Gooch颁发的证书 during the class’s pinning ceremony on Tuesday, July 30.

亨那格的班长Kylie Roden向她的同学们表示祝贺，并说这一天 纪念的不仅是他们所取得的成就，还有他们的不同 will make in the world.

“我们怀着帮助他人的热情开始了这段旅程，并承诺要做出贡献 一种不同，一种根深蒂固的信念，相信康复和治愈的力量，” Roden said. “在整个培训过程中，我们不仅了解了职业的重要性 治疗，还有宝贵的同理心——看透世界的能力 我们所服务的人的眼睛，理解他们的挣扎，并赋予他们力量 overcome obstacles and reclaim their lives.

“因此，让我们从此刻开始，带着心中的激情，带着我们的目标向前迈进 步伐，以及坚定的信念，通过我们的奉献和同情，我们真的 can change lives.”

草榴社区州职业治疗助理项目获奖者，来自gardenale的Peytan Dill speaks to her classmates during the pinning ceremony for the class of 2024.

节目获奖者佩坦·迪尔提醒观众不要拿 我们每天做的简单的事情，从刷牙到做饭，都是理所当然的 meal to coping with stressful situations. Tasks for which they help others relearn 或者做出调整来完成他们作为职业治疗助理的工作.

“Occupational therapy is far more than a career path; it is a calling—a calling to 改善生活，在希望渺茫的地方恢复希望，让个人获得成功 their fullest potential,’ Dill said. “It is a profession that embodies the very essence of empathy, resilience, and transformation.”

草榴社区州立社区学院职业治疗助理项目为期三个学期 associate degree program, with new students entering each fall semester. Applications are accepted March 1 to June 1 each year. Minimum application requirements include completion of two semesters of general required pre-OTA courses; a minimum 18 ACT composite score; and a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater on all general required pre-OTA courses.

For more information, contact Susan Wadkins at 256.352.7848 or susan.wadkins@55jiaju.com or visit www.55jiaju.com/ota.

草榴社区州立社区学院2024年秋季课程的注册正在进行中， with regular and Mini Term I classes beginning Aug. 19. Flex Start terms begin Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. Mini Term II classes will begin Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.55jiaju.com, call 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College 是一所综合性社区学院，位于阿拉巴马州中北部 在学术、健康和技术方面有200多个选择 副学士学位，证书或转学，以及劳动力学分培训和 adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the 阿斯本学院入围2025年阿斯本社区大学卓越奖， 被南方商业与发展机构评为南方前三名 为劳动力发展，被全国联盟命名为卓越中心 被国家安全管理局评为网络社区学院 在阿拉巴马州，一个军事友好机构和一个全施坦威学校，草榴社区州立大学 is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes 是在网上和校园提供，白天，晚上和周末，有无数的开始 dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.55jiaju.com, or call 256.352.8000.