HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program celebrated the graduation more than two dozen students during a special pinning ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
“Today, the pins you receive represent much more than the completion of a program,” said Rachel Gooch, director of the OTA program. “They represent your commitment, your growth, and your readiness to carry the values of occupational therapy into the lives of the people you serve.”
Gooch described the Class of 2026 as “helpers.”
“You are a group of compassionate and selfless individuals who are willing to set aside your own needs to improve the lives of others,” Gooch said. “Throughout this program, I have watched you encourage classmates, advocate for clients, serve your community and demonstrate genuine concern for the well-being of those around you.”
She encouraged them to take that compassion with them as they begin work in the field.
“Continue to be curious. Continue to advocate. Continue to listen before you act. Continue to treat every client as a whole person rather than a diagnosis. Most importantly, continue to lead with the compassion and kindness that have defined this class,” Gooch said.
Clinical Coordinator Kelly Wilson called the class one of the most energetic she has encountered and echoed Gooch’s assessment of their compassion. Wilson recounted how she experienced their compassion and energy firsthand shortly after foot surgery.
“I heard a commotion on my front porch. I looked out the window expecting maybe a food delivery or a basket of goodies. But instead, there were what seemed like an entire truckload of OTA students standing on my front porch,” Wilson said. “That moment reminded me that while I spend my days teaching you, sometimes you teach me, too. You reminded me that kindness matters, showing up matters and the relationships we build extend far beyond the classroom. I will never forget that surprise.”
Class President Samantha Arbet of Cullman said the class became a community.
“I see study groups that turned into lifelong friendships,” Arbet said. “I see group chats that somehow became therapy sessions. I see karaoke nights, Room 302 vent sessions or nap sessions, depending on the day, and lunch tables where friendships were formed and grown. I see Psychology lab groups, or ‘trauma dumps’ as we called them, in which we got to see the vulnerable sides of each other and truly learn therapeutic use of self by navigating those vulnerable sides together at times.”
Arbet said what makes them special is that despite their varied experiences, they each were drawn to a common purpose.
“We come from different backgrounds, different seasons of life and different experiences. Yet we all answered the same calling – to help people return to the occupations that give their lives meaning,” Arbet said. “Our patients won’t remember every textbook definition we learned. They’ll remember how we made them feel. They’ll remember the therapist who believed in them when they couldn’t believe in themselves. They’ll remember our patience, our compassion, our encouragement and the hope we offered during some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
Members of the Wallace State Occupational Therapy Class of 2026 include:
Addison: Lauryn Cunningham
Andalusia: Ashlyn Kilpatrick
Arab: Allison Ryan
Bessemer: Shyera Westbrook
Blountsville: Lydia Madison Chappell
Cleveland: Josie Hawkins
Cullman: Samantha Arbet, Ella Claire Beard, Lanie Cornelius, Natalie Lawley, Mcklellah Mason, Samantha Muse, Gracie Roberts
Double Springs: Jessie Lindsey
Flat Rock: Lillian Chappelear
Florence: Krista Loya
Fort Payne: Annlee Tate, Kaylie-Nicole Morin
Geraldine: Katie Heath
Hayden: Kalee Sanders
Huntsville: Stefanie Price
Jacksonville: Cameron Coulter
Monroeville: Cara Qualls
Montgomery: Miriam Head
Rainsville: Marisa Hiett
Anchorage, Alaska: Bethany Patterson
Stockton, California: Jessica Harrison
Ohatchee, Florida: Lily Thompson
Chicago, Illinois: Emani Smith
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program accepts applications for admission annually from March 1 to June 1 for fall entry. For more information, visit wallacestate.edu/health, call 256-352-7848, or email danielle.caldwell@wallacestate.edu.
Class President Samantha Arbet of Cullman said the class became a community. (Wallace State)
