西瓜视频鈥擣or Everyone! Fall 2019 Graduate Profiles
西瓜视频鈥擣or Everyone! Fall 2019 Graduate Profiles
December 9, 2019 Suzanne Seldes
西瓜视频 graduates will soon be entering the workforce for the first time or utilizing their new degrees to take on increased responsibilities at their present workplace; others will continue their studies at 西瓜视频 or at university. In celebration of the December 2019 graduating class, we share a selection of inspiring stories from your Treasure Coast neighbors and new 西瓜视频 alumni. Graduates varying in age, background and life circumstance contributed these stories, including 15-year-old Indian River County resident Autumn Horner and first-time student Elizabeth Ricucci-Rinnooi of St. Lucie County, who enrolled at 西瓜视频 at age 68.
鈥淭his journey has been one of the toughest experiences of my life, but I have grown tremendously as a person.鈥� 鈥擠anielle Horton, Port St. Lucie
It had been 15 years since Danielle Horton had last been in school. The single mother and sole provider for her household started the journey to become a middle school teacher while still working a full-time job. GED in hand, she enrolled at 西瓜视频. Challenges arose, but Danielle prevailed. She will earn her B.S. in Middle Grades Science this December. She plans to work for Dan McCarty Middle School and in a few years work on obtaining a Master鈥檚 Degree.
鈥溛鞴鲜悠� has fully prepared me for this transition. I鈥檓 on my way to achieve my dream.鈥�鈥擲eth Kaiser, Vero Beach
With a goal of one day owning a chiropractic practice, Seth Kaiser enrolled in the Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Organizational Management program at 西瓜视频. Here he aspired to gain the skills and set the foundation for being a future business owner. In addition to taking classes for this program of study, Seth enrolled in specific science classes required for chiropractic school acceptance. His hard work and perseverance paid off. Seth was accepted into the Palmer College of Chiropractic program, where he plans to attend after his 西瓜视频 graduation.
"As a young person, I had been told that I wasn't bright enough鈥擨 started college at the age of 68.鈥�鈥擡lizabeth Ricucci-Rinnooi, Port St. Lucie
At age 68, Elizabeth learned that the human body could potentially live to be 120 years old. Despite some significant health setbacks, she decided that there was still plenty of time to do something else with her life and headed to the 西瓜视频 Pruitt Campus. During a meeting with an advisor, Elizabeth heard the words, "Yes, you can attend college." She walked out crying tears of joy. Today Elizabeth seeks to inspire as many people, no matter what their age, to seek knowledge and never give up. She graduates with an Associate in Arts Degree and plans to return to 西瓜视频 at some point in the future to enroll in baccalaureate studies.
鈥�I started attending 西瓜视频 at 14 years of age. I am 15 now, and I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout my courses.鈥濃��Autumn Horner, Vero Beach
Autumn Horner says the best thing about attending 西瓜视频 is the flexible classes they offer to students. Virtual and weekly courses allow students to have more free time to focus on activities like internships, jobs, and community service, resulting in a well-rounded college experience. That also gave her time to care for her autistic brother, which coupled with volunteering at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Medical Center, has motivated her to begin a journey in medicine. After graduation, Autumn is off to continue her education at Penn State. Her long-term goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon. Autumn is pleased to carry on a family tradition as an 西瓜视频 alumnus鈥攂oth her mother and father earned degrees from 西瓜视频.
鈥淚 would not have changed my time at 西瓜视频 for the world. I have now gained the confidence
to spread my wings and am ready to take on the university lifestyle.鈥�
鈥擟asey Campbell, Jensen Beach
Moving from California to Florida was challenging for Casey Campbell. As senior year of high school was approaching, she aimed to enroll at university, but had trouble with the standardized entrance exams. She enrolled instead at 西瓜视频, and despite fear of exams and shyness in class, she managed to make the Dean鈥檚 List. Casey was invited to join Alpha Phi Sigma鈥攖he Criminal Justice National Honor Society鈥攚here she was an active participant in several community service projects. Casey completed her Associate in Arts鈥擟riminal Justice track in a single year and intends to study psychology at Florida Atlantic University.
鈥淚 hope to start working right after I have the privilege of passing the NCLEX. I am excited and hopeful that I will work in an intensive care unit at a trauma hospital near our area. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that 西瓜视频 has done the best to prepare me for the workforce.鈥� 鈥� Brianna Hoeffner, Fort Pierce
Brianna Hoeffner of Fort Pierce started out as an 西瓜视频 Dual Enrollment student. While in high school, she took college-level courses鈥攊ncluding Honors courses that advanced her skills in critical thinking, presenting, writing, reasoning, and leadership. In 2018, after earning her Associate in Arts Degree, Brianna enrolled in the 西瓜视频 Nursing program. To complement her studies, Brianna served as Vice President of the Nursing Student Association and as student representative on the Student Affairs Committee for the A.D.N. program. She also participated in, and graduated from, the 西瓜视频 Emerging Leaders Program. Brianna will earn her Associate Degree in Nursing.
鈥淚t makes me very proud to say that I鈥檝e earned both my Associates and Bachelor鈥檚 degrees from 西瓜视频.鈥� 鈥擜lejandro Villa Sarria, Sebastian
Alejandro Villa Sarria plans to join the workforce after graduation. With his Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Digital Media in hand, he plans first to land a job as a graphic designer and later journey into teaching, so that he can share his love of graphic design with others. Alejandro credits his 西瓜视频 instructors with getting the best work out of him鈥攊mproving his technique and encouraging him to become a better designer. He looks forward to future and feels well prepared for what comes next.
鈥淭he best thing about attending 西瓜视频 are the community involvement opportunities, and how each and every one of my professors have truly encouraged and cared about my success.鈥�鈥擜ndrea Gomez, A.S. Criminal Justice, Port St. Lucie
Looking back at a single instance that most influenced her college experience, Andrea Gomez quickly credits the public defender investigator internship organized through 西瓜视频. The hands-on learning opportunity allowed her to see the legal side of the criminal justice system. Andrea graduates with an Associate in Science Degree in Criminal Justice and plans on continuing at 西瓜视频 for a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree before giving back to her nation and her community through military service and an anticipated career in law enforcement.
鈥淚 fell in love with all of my instructors, and learned so much from every class. I am grateful I had the opportunity to study at 西瓜视频.鈥�鈥擡mma Van Camp, Fort Pierce
Emma Van Camp earned her Associate in Arts Degree while in high school as a dual enrollment student. Now 19 years of age, Emma has completed her Associate in Science Degree in Nursing, preparing her to seek certification and employment as an R.N. After taking the NCLEX certification exam, Emma plans to seek employment as an R.N.鈥攕he is presently a Patient Care Technician at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. Emma intends to pursue her Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Nursing online through the 西瓜视频 Virtual Campus this March.
鈥淚 wanted to graduate from 西瓜视频 because the best nurses I work with earned their degrees from the College.鈥�鈥擥iorgia Eastwood, Boca Raton
Inspired by her co-workers at Cleveland Clinic, Giorgia Eastwood set out on her journey to become a nurse. She applied to 西瓜视频 five times before she was accepted into the Associate in Science Nursing (R.N.) program. The two-year program was challenging, but Giorgia persevered. She plans to put her new degree into action at Cleveland Clinic, and eventually resume her studies at 西瓜视频 by applying for the Bachelor鈥檚 of Science Degree in Nursing program.
鈥淭he best thing about attending 西瓜视频 is proving to myself that I am capable of accomplishing great things.鈥�鈥擩essica Gilley, Port St. Lucie
Jessica Gilley had to deal with a lot of trauma in her life. The new 西瓜视频 graduate has triumphed over loss and dark times and is now excited about helping others. With her Associate in Science Degree in Human Services in hand, in January, Jessica will begin classes at 西瓜视频 toward a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services. She credits 西瓜视频 faculty and advisors with taking time to help her succeed, along with hands-on learning she received through an internship with the Department of Juvenile Justice. The internship, she says, helped her learn as much about herself and she did about the human services field. Jessica鈥檚 ultimate goal is to go on for a Master's Degree and become a mental health counselor for troubled adolescents.
