Dear TRIO Talent Search Family, We are now months into our journey of navigating through the challenges we’ve faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to all the changes we have made here at the LCC from the Director ... campus, it seems that every part of life has been impacted by COVID. We were disappointed to cancel our spring events and our summer trips. We know our students were disappointed too. However, our student’s safety is at the forefront of our mind as we plan and schedule our educational activities and services - we want you all to remain healthy and safe. We will spend our summer diligently planning and preparing curriculum, activities and hopefully even trips for the upcoming Fall and Spring semester. We are your advocate, your cheerleader and your connection to college, even during these times.
Summer 2020 IN THIS ISSUE:
Directors Message
Advisor Notes
Graduate Spotlight
Class of 2020
Senior Pictures
As we work to reawaken our TRIO program from the COVID isolation, we must also address the social injustice issue plaguing our country as well. We recognize these acts of injustice may not have taken place on our campus, or in your school, but they have a profound impact on all of our communities. Our wish is for our TRIO Talent Search program to be a space that brings people together, and in doing so, deepens our understanding of our shared humanity. To our TRIO students and families of color; we see you, we stand with you and we are here. I encourage you all to take time today to look for opportunities to empathetically listen to one another, and find meaningful ways to overcome these injustices. There is much to be done, let’s get to work.
Daneen Landis, Director
LCC Talent Search Mission: To prepare students from diverse backgrounds to attain post -secondary education through academic support, personal enrichment, and college and career exploration. LCC Talent Search Vision: To enhance students self-confidence and desire to reach educational goals by providing support through its programs, services & activities.
a note from your Hey Kids, We all made it through an interesting spring semester. We had to learn to learn from home, we had to miss all of our later spring events at school such as plays, sports, forensics, prom, graduation, and all of our TRIO field trips. Probably the hardest was missing all of your friends. You went from seeing them every day to being at home. I know this was hard for me too. Well, now that we have made it to the summer and restrictions are being reduced, what does this mean? Should you go back to normal and act like nothing is happening or should you still be cautious? I will let you know that whenever I am out in public around other people, I still wear my mask and try to stay at least 6 feet away from others as I would rather be careful and not possibly put any of my friends and family at risk. So what should you do? You don’t have to hide in your house alone but you also shouldn’t go hang out with a 100 people at the lake. You just need to make intelligent choices. If you need to go out, don’t be embarrassed to wear a mask and try to not stand close to other people. Remember, if you feel sick, stay home and away from others. Hopefully everyone else will make smart choices and we can get back to somewhat of a normal life next school year. Pat Dear Seniors, It’s crazy to think that I’ve known many of you since you were in 6th grade. It’s even crazier that we’ve been talking about your passions and interests, your graduation, and your plans for the future for that many years. I have loved watching you grow, and I want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for being awesome and fun and inspiring and intelligent! I’ll always be grateful that I got to spend so many years of your life working with you and hopefully helping you navigate through one of your many journeys. Your senior year has given you a knack for making the best of a bad situation. You handled every curveball that a global pandemic could throw at you, and you did it through creativity, resilience, and grace. It’s not fair that you lost many of your senior-year memories, but also that you are entering adulthood at such an uncertain time. However, I believe in your ability to move forward and help make the world a better place because I see you doing it. I am extremely proud of each and every one of you! Whether you are off to college, trade school, or joining the workforce remember to enjoy the ride, work hard, and do your best. And most importantly — be a good human!
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With Love, Ms. Michelle
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
Talent Search continues to support our students post high school graduation. We are thrilled to see them succeed both in and out of the classroom. Each issue of our newsletter, we’ll check in on our TS graduates to see what they are up to.
NAME : TRISTAN GEGG HIGH SCHOOL : LABETTE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE ATTENDING : PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY MAJOR : ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ANTICIPATED GRADUATION : MAY 2022 When did you start participating in TRIO Talent Search? I started TRIO in 7th grade with Michelle Dayton as my advisor Do you feel that Talent Search helped to prepare you for college? I feel like TRIO helped me prepare for college because we started touring colleges at a young age, and the advisors always kept up with us and pushed us to be the best we could be. What has been your biggest challenge in College thus far? The biggest challenge in college has been getting up for 8am classes! What activities/organizations do you participate in? I play basketball at Pitt State, and I received 3rd team All Conference this season as a sophomore. I led the MIAA in scoring averaging 18.1 pts per game, and led in free throw percentage with 90%. I have also made the Dean’s List A/B Honor Roll every semester, and All A Honor Roll this past semester. What are your goals for the future? My goal for the future is to win a National Championship and graduate from Pitt State with a B.S. in Elementary Education. What advice do you have for high school students? My advice to any high school student is to step out of your comfort zone and be open to join new things when you go to college!
#TRIOWORKS
#COLLEGEBOUND
NAME : JESSICA ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL : COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE ATTENDED : COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND UNIV. OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH MAJOR : BSN When did you start in the TRIO program? I started participating in TRIO Talent Search during High School and I loved it! Do you feel that Talent Search helped to prepare you for college? TRIO helps kids get out of their small hometown and see what is out there. TRIO showed me that I wanted to be something bigger than I ever thought I could be. What has your biggest challenge in college thus far? Being a student athlete was the biggest challenge. Staying on top of my homework, while traveling was difficult. In my role of Assistant Volleyball coach at CCC, I always peach to my girls that you are a student before you are an athlete. Education comes first. What activities/organizations do you participate in? I played basketball and volleyball at CCC and volleyball at UAFS. What are your goals for the future? I currently work as an RN in the Independence ER and I cannot wait to grow in my profession here and help people in their time of need. What advice do you have for high school students? My advice for high school students is to never settle and always be the best version of yourself. Take care of yourself and get into the college of your dreams. Enjoy your youth, get outside and enjoy God’s beautiful creation!
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to our
Senior Graduates! Torrie Albertson
Chetopa
Chance Hayes
Galena
Austyn Simpson
Columbus
Ty Albertson
Chetopa
Daphne Hedrick
Labette County
Alexis Smith
Labette County
Amelia Archer
Labette County
Isaiah Helms
Pittsburg
Aubree Stewart
Labette County
Haleigh Bates
Oswego
Anabel Hernandez
Pittsburg
Jesse Stover
Pittsburg
Jaymee Best
Chetopa
Abigail Howard
Labette County
Trevor Stover
Pittsburg
Katie Bitner
Southeast
Reece Jacobs
Southeast
Eric Thomas
Labette County
Jocelyn Bolte
Pittsburg
Jordan Jameson
Southeast
Anna Thompson
Southeast
Allison Butts
Chetopa
Jalynn Johnson
Labette County
Brady VanBuskirk
Labette County
Zachary Campbell
Chetopa
Jamie Kaspar
Labette County
Brett VanBuskirk
Labette County
Shaina Carpenter
Labette County
***MiKayla Kitchen
Pittsburg
***Skyla Wallace
Pittsburg
Trent Carroll
Columbus
Sydney Linahan
Pittsburg
Madasyn Waun
Labette County
**Ashlyn Cassidy
Southeast
J’Naya Logan
Pittsburg
Hayden Wilson
Southeast
Daniel Cheney
Southeast
***Megan Loudermilk
Pittsburg
Jace Wilson
Oswego
Landon Coons
Columbus
Samantha McClelland
Labette County
Halle Courtney
Galena
*Shanler McNickle
Oswego
*Salutatorian
Keeley Daniels
Labette County
**Kylie Myers
Southeast
**Valedictorian
Ethan Dieker
Labette County
Richard Nichols, Jr
Pittsburg
***PHS Students with 4.0 or higher
Cali Donovan
Pittsburg
Gage Oplotnik
Southeast
*Emma Elkins
Oswego
**Bryce Petersen
Southeast
Garrett Evans
Southeast
Miklaine Peyton
Labette County
Lucas Falkenstien
Labette County
**Shailan Phillips
Oswego
Kara Fecke
Chetopa
Jeffrey Ramsey
Labette County
Alexandria Folk
Oswego
*McKenna Renn
Southeast
Darbi Forbes
Labette County
Katlin Rhodenbaugh
Oswego
Heather Fowler
Labette County
Colby Robinett
Labette County
**Alison Gardner
Southeast
Abby Ryan
Labette County
**Mattaya Gibbs
Labette County
Cheyenne Schirk
Pittsburg
Alberto Gongora
Galena
**Elizabeth Scott
Southeast
*Emily Grant
Southeast
McKenna Shaw
Pittsburg
Pictured to the right: Thanks to those
*Liberty Gregory
Southeast
Jarod Sheko
Columbus
seniors who participated in our
Sydney Hall
Pittsburg
Nate Shriver
Pittsburg
Instagram Senior Sunday shout-outs!
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Do you have questions about TRIO Talent Search or want to know how you can get more involved? We are in the office this summer! Give us a call at 620.820.1037
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER !