In front of a packed room of family and friends at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), 39 nursing students culminated years of dedication and hard work as they received their nursing pins.
“Y’all, it’s been two years!” said Merick Sanogo, the class pinning ceremony speaker, whose remarks brought a mixture of laughs and cheers. At the end of his speech, the nursing faculty surprised him with a pineapple, a nod to a tradition he started by giving each classmate a pineapple on their birthday.
The nursing pinning ceremony, a centuries-old tradition, marks the transition from student to nurse and formally welcomes graduates into the profession. Each student receives a pin, a practice that dates back to Florence Nightingale, and participates in the lighting of the Nightingale Lamp while reciting the Nurse Pledge.
For Sanogo, a Lawrenceville native, becoming a nurse was influenced by family roots.
“I have aunts and uncles who are nurses, and my mom is a pharmacist and my dad is a biomedical engineer,” he said. “I wanted a career where I could help people and be flexible enough for me to enjoy my hobbies of physical fitness, tech and game design.”
Sanogo has already accepted a position at Northside Gwinnett in its Cardiac Stepdown unit, and the nursing legacy continues in his family—his cousin is a pre-nursing student at GGC.
Another graduate, Prudence Donald, will begin her nursing career in the cardiac ICU at Northside Gwinnett in March 2026.
“I’ve always wanted to care for others, especially during their most vulnerable time,” she said. “I’ll fight for them and give them the best care possible.”
For Donald, a Tanzania native and international student, the ceremony marked the realization of her American dream.
“Do not give up. If you can dream it, you can achieve it,” she said.
For Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean of the School of Health Sciences and a nurse herself, each pinning ceremony carries deep significance.
“Pinning ceremonies are emotional. It’s the culmination of a long journey and a rite of passage to welcome new nurses into the profession,” she said. “My favorite part is the lighting of the lamps, because, like the song ‘Go Light Your World’ says, they’re lighting the world.”
As the graduates begin their professional journeys, Gordon offered them final words of encouragement.
“Remember the little things,” she said. “Have fun and speak up for your patients, for your community, for yourselves, and for the nursing profession.”
The nursing graduates received their bachelor’s degree in nursing during GGC’s commencement ceremony on December 12.
Three Gwinnett teams win championships
The Buford Wolves won its 15th state football championship Tuesday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium, defeating Carrollton 28-21 for the state 6A title. Time that happened, people watching the game on the giant scoreboard at Phillip Beard Stadium in Buford started celebrating, with fireworks and the ringing of a bell which has been at different locations of Buford High since the 1880s.
In addition, the Buford High girls softball team has won its state championship, defeating East Coweta High 16-1. Buford’s girls have won this title for three of the last four years.
Meanwhile, another Gwinnett team won a football championship. Hebron Christian Academy of Dacula won its second straight Private (A-31) football title by defeating Calvary Day School of Savannah by a 28-21 score.
Dash 4 Domestic Violence 5K raises $12,080
The Gwinnett County Solicitors awarded proceeds from its Dash 4 Domestic Violence 5K to three local nonprofits during a check presentation recently.
Proceeds from this year’s event will be presented to Mosaic Georgia, Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Ahimsa House. The funds will support critical services, including crisis intervention, emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling and ongoing support for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
Now in its third year, the Dash 4 Domestic Violence Awareness 5K brought together runners, volunteers, community partners and sponsors to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence prevention and survivor support. The event raised in total $12,080, including $9,015 from sponsorships and donations and $3,065 from registered runners.
Here are winners of Business Excellence award
The Gwinnett Chamber hosted its annual Business Excellence Awards at the John Maxwell Leadership Center in Duluth recently. The program honored outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs, and community partners who demonstrate exceptional performance, innovation, and impact in Gwinnett’s thriving business community.
Chamber President and CEO Nick Masino welcomed attendees and delivered opening remarks before introducing keynote speaker Darryll Stinson, two-time TEDx speaker, author, and leadership expert. Stinson inspired the audience with insights on growing greatness, building trust, and elevating results, offering a powerful message tailored to today’s business leaders navigating growth and transformation.
Winners were announced across ten award categories. The 2025 Business Excellence Award winners include:
- Community Contributor Award – Spectrum Autism Support Group;
- Launch Award – Eastside Dental Group;
- Emerging Entrepreneur Award – Magnolia Media Group;
- Culture Creator Award – Blackwater Construction Group;
- Woman-Owned Business Award – Cartridge World Lawrenceville;
- Veteran-Owned Business Award – Cobb Global Outreach;
- Small Business Award 0-5 Employees –Derek Hays Injury Law;
- Small Business Award 6-24 Employees – Mighty 8th;
- Small Business Award 25+ Employees – Keystone Land Surveying Inc.; AND
- Founder Award – iS3 Tech Services, Adam Hammock.
The Business Excellence Awards reflect the Gwinnett Chamber’s commitment to elevating businesses and fostering an environment where entrepreneurs can start, sustain, and succeed. To learn more about the Gwinnett Chamber’s mission to champion business or to view upcoming events, visit GwinnettChamber.org.
Winn DAR places wreaths in cemeteries
On Dec. 13, the 2025 National Wreaths Across America Day, the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosted two remembrance ceremonies in Lawrenceville to honor local veterans laid to rest at Gwinnett Memorial Park and East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens. The ceremonies were part of the national Wreaths Across America program. At the ceremony were, from left, Cynthia Davis, DeAnn Tucher, Honorary Regent Lynn Jacques, First Vice Regent Caitlen Green, Beverley Baker, Regent Randi Minor, Mary Martin, Stacy Whitehead, Carol Pangle, and Charlotte Weber. This year’s ceremonies included participation from the Georgia Society and Button Gwinnett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Color Guard and Militia; the Elisha Winn Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.); Grayson High School U.S. Army JROTC Cadets; and Parkview High School U.S. Marine Corps JROTC Cadets. Since 2019, the Philadelphia Winn Chapter DAR has hosted nine Wreaths Across America ceremonies as part of its ongoing commitment to historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
