PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Second-year students at the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Optometry took a symbolic next step toward their future careers on Saturday, by taking part in a white coat ceremony.

Students traditionally don the white coats at the beginning of their second year of optometry school to symbolize a commitment to patient care. The class of 2023 will now spend the next two years in classrooms and labs applying their knowledge to a clinical setting.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s ceremony was closed to the public but was livestreamed so family and friends could watch.