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Dwyer Workforce Development recognizes graduates, celebrates milestone

Dwyer Workforce Development recognizes graduates, celebrates milestone

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Dwyer Workforce Development celebrated a major milestone on Aug. 20, honoring its first three Dwyer Scholars to become licensed practical nurses, while 320 Dwyer Scholars earned their Certified Nursing Assistant certification. The ceremony, held at Southern Baptist Church in East , featured remarks from It Works Learning Center President Mort Lapides, DWD CEO Barb Clapp and keynote speaker Jason Perkins-Cohen of the Maryland Department of Labor with a special video message from Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of the Dwyer Scholars advancing from CNA to LPN. The ceremony concluded with each graduate walking across the stage to receive their certificates and move their tassels in celebration of their life-changing achievement. Following graduation, Dwyer Scholars will enter health care roles across Greater Baltimore, with ongoing support from DWD to continue upskilling to advance their training toward LPN, registered nurse and beyond.

To submit photos for a future Business Album, email [email protected].

A Dwyer Scholar poses for a celebratory selfie with her family. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A Dwyer Scholar poses for a celebratory selfie with her family. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar classmates pose for a selfie as they wait to walk across the stage and receive their CNA certificates. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar classmates pose for a selfie as they wait to walk across the stage and receive their CNA certificates. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Keynote speaker Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen of the Maryland Department of Labor gives remarks during the graduation ceremony with (from left to right, first row) It Works Learning Center President Mort Lapides, Dwyer Workforce Development CEO Barb Clapp, Dwyer Workforce Development Chief Operating Officer Maria Darby, Dwyer Workforce Development Director of Career Services Lakita Green, Dwyer Workforce Development Sherna' Barksdale and Dwyer Workforce Development Case Manager Sasha Longmore; and (second row) It Works Learning Center and Lorien Health Services teachers on stage. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Keynote speaker Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen of the Maryland Department of Labor gives remarks during the graduation ceremony with (from left to right, first row) It Works Learning Center President Mort Lapides, Dwyer Workforce Development CEO Barb Clapp, Dwyer Workforce Development Chief Operating Officer Maria Darby, Dwyer Workforce Development Director of Career Services Lakita Green, Dwyer Workforce Development Sherna’ Barksdale and Dwyer Workforce Development Case Manager Sasha Longmore; and (second row) It Works Learning Center and Lorien Health Services teachers on stage. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar graduates celebrate their accomplishments as they move their tassels from right to left. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar graduates celebrate their accomplishments as they move their tassels from right to left. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
The teachers from It Works Learning Center and Lorien Health Services celebrate and pose for a photo after the graduation ceremony. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
The teachers from It Works Learning Center and Lorien Health Services celebrate and pose for a photo after the graduation ceremony. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar classmates pose for a celebratory picture following the graduation ceremony. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholar classmates pose for a celebratory picture following the graduation ceremony. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A Dwyer Scholar shakes hands with It Works Learning Center President Mort Lapides as he walks across the stage to receive his CNA certificate. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A Dwyer Scholar shakes hands with It Works Learning Center President Mort Lapides as he walks across the stage to receive his CNA certificate. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A Dwyer Scholar crosses the stage to receive her CNA certificate while holding her newborn baby, Faith, who was born during the training program. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A Dwyer Scholar crosses the stage to receive her CNA certificate while holding her newborn baby, Faith, who was born during the training program. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholars cheer on their classmates as they wait to walk across the stage and receive CNA certificates. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Scholars cheer on their classmates as they wait to walk across the stage and receive CNA certificates. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Workforce Development's CEO Barb Clapp (left) congratulates Briyona Franklin on becoming a LPN, one of Dwyer Workforce Development's first Dwyer Scholars to advance from a CNA to LPN. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Dwyer Workforce Development’s CEO Barb Clapp (left) congratulates Briyona Franklin on becoming a LPN, one of Dwyer Workforce Development’s first Dwyer Scholars to advance from a CNA to LPN. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A proud moment between Dwyer Scholar Nanda Syangba and their family members as they prepare for the graduation ceremony, situating their graduation cap and attaching the tassel.(Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
A proud moment between Dwyer Scholar Nanda Syangba and their family members as they prepare for the graduation ceremony, situating their graduation cap and attaching the tassel.(Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Keynote speaker Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen of the Maryland Department of Labor shares his words of wisdom with the Dwyer Scholars. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)
Keynote speaker Deputy Secretary Jason Perkins-Cohen of the Maryland Department of Labor shares his words of wisdom with the Dwyer Scholars. (Steve Ruark for Dwyer Workforce Development)