Four Newton County Schools graduates who first explored healthcare careers at Newton College & Career Academy (NCCA) have returned home to begin their nursing careers at Piedmont Newton Hospital, bringing their education and skills back to the community that helped prepare them.
Newton High School graduates Tralee Karisma Henry and Nasyah Le’Shea Rowe, along with Alcovy High School graduates Mariana Arredondo and Omari Andry, each graduated in 2022 and attended NCCA. After completing college and earning their nursing credentials, all four found opportunities to pursue their careers close to home.
Henry and Arredondo currently work in medical-surgical (med-surg) units at Piedmont Newton, and Andry is an RN resident in the intensive care unit. Rowe is preparing to begin her yearlong RN residency in med-surg at the hospital in October.
Their journeys demonstrate the connection between Newton County Schools’ Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs, higher education, and local workforce development. What began with career exploration in high school has led to four nurses prepared to serve patients in their hometown.
“At NCCA, associates can explore careers while they still have the support of their teachers and schools,” said NCCA Principal Chad Walker. “Seeing these four graduates complete nursing school and return to serve Newton County is especially meaningful. They once sat in our classrooms learning what a career in healthcare could look like. Now they are caring for people in our community.”
For Henry, NCCA provided an introduction to medical terminology, patient care, professionalism, and communication before she entered nursing school. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Valley State University.
“The Healthcare pathway at NCCA helped prepare me for where I am today by giving me an early foundation in healthcare, exposing me to the realities of the profession, and giving me the confidence to pursue nursing before I even stepped into a college classroom,” Henry said.
Henry also credits her family’s journey from the Caribbean and their sacrifices for her education as important influences on her career. Returning to Newton County has given her the opportunity to put that education to work for a community that has long been part of her story.
“It makes my career feel personal. I’m not just working in a hospital; I’m caring for people who are part of the community that helped shape me,” she said.
Arredondo entered NCCA knowing she was interested in healthcare but unsure which profession she wanted to pursue. Exploring different careers helped her choose nursing during her senior year. She later earned an associate degree in health science at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College Newton campus and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Augusta University.
Along with introducing her to career options, NCCA helped Arredondo develop confidence through classroom presentations and group assignments.
“These experiences helped me build confidence in public speaking, communication, and teamwork,” Arredondo said. “Those skills have been especially valuable in nursing because teamwork is such an important part of healthcare.”
Rowe’s connection to Piedmont Newton began while she was still a student. Through junior volunteering and work-based learning at the hospital, she experienced the healthcare environment and developed relationships that helped her envision returning as a nurse.
“I felt welcomed and at home at Piedmont, and even then, I knew I wanted to return one day as a nurse,” Rowe said.
At NCCA, Rowe learned foundational concepts in patient safety, nutrition, anatomy, and healthcare protocols. Hands-on activities and her first CPR certification helped turn her interest into a career goal. She has since earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse (RN) license.
“More importantly, NCCA helped me understand that healthcare is more than medical knowledge, it is also about compassion and caring for people,” she said.
Andry explored healthcare through NCCA’s STEM and biotechnology pathway. CPR practice, blood drives, projects, and presentations provided early exposure to concepts that became familiar when Andry entered nursing school at Georgia Southern University.
“Although nursing school introduced more advanced concepts and required me to develop new skills, my experience at NCCA gave me a foundation to build on,” Andry said.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Andry passed the NCLEX (national licensure exam for nurses) in June and began Intensive Care Unit (ICU) orientation at Piedmont Newton in July.
“Beginning my nursing career at Piedmont Newton means a lot to me because I'm able to give back to the same community that helped shape me,” Andry said.
All four graduates identified NCCA instructor Roberta Axson as an important influence, describing how her guidance, encouragement, and classroom experiences helped them see nursing as an achievable goal.
Their experiences also illustrate the value of connecting students with local employers. Piedmont Newton Chief Executive Officer Lindsey Petrini said the hospital’s partnership with the school system helps students understand the opportunities available in healthcare.
“Our partnership with Newton County Schools and NCCA plays a critical role in helping students explore healthcare careers and gain hands-on experience,” Petrini said. “The earlier we engage students through shadowing experiences, internships, and career-focused learning opportunities, the more likely they are to discover the meaningful impact and personal fulfillment these careers can bring.”
For Newton County Schools, those connections help students see how their classroom learning can lead to further education and employment in their own community.
“This is what workforce development can look like in Newton County,” said Dr. Tim Schmitt, director of CTAE and Workforce Innovation for Newton County Schools. “Our CTAE programs help students discover their interests and build a foundation for what comes next. Partnerships with local employers such as Piedmont Newton help students connect their learning to opportunities here at home. These graduates continued their training after high school, and today our community benefits from the skills they have brought back.”
For Arredondo, returning home to begin her career has made that connection especially personal.
“I have lived here all my life and went to school here, so being able to give back to the community that helped shape me is very meaningful,” she said. “It feels special to be able to care for people in the same community where I grew up and received my education. It truly feels like I am coming full circle.”
Petrini said welcoming local graduates benefits both the hospital and the people it serves.
“Seeing local students return home as healthcare professionals is exactly the outcome we hope to achieve through our ongoing investment in workforce development,” she said. “Recruiting and retaining local talent strengthens our workforce, enhances patient relationships, and helps ensure the long-term health of our community.”