2012
GRADUATION
A publication of the Payson Roundup
GRADUATION2012
PAGE 2 • MAY 2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
Congratulations to the Class of 2012 Wow. You’ve done it. Seems like just yesterday, you mastered rolling over, using a fork, talking — then before you knew it you had to start watching your words. Think of the revolutions in thought and perception that have taken place in the last 18 years. No doubt about it — you’ll never learn so much so fast for the rest of your life. Then again, there’s so much left to learn. To quote Winston Churchill at one of the great turning points of World War II: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Suddenly, life beckons. You’re free to make all these choices, stay up all night, eat all the Twinkies, hang out with folks your parents don’t like, squander your heart, make your own choices. You enter into the world in a moment of thrilling change, with knowledge doubling and redoubling and flowing through your fingertips. Human beings have never known so much nor had such untrammeled access to that knowledge — so all we can say for sure is that things will change more in your lifetimes than in any comparable span of human histo-
The highest result of education is tolerance. — Helen Keller
ry. You’ll probably spend a big chunk of your life working at a job that doesn’t now exist — so you’ve only started to learn. But then they probably didn’t tell you that those choices all have strings and jobs impose more limits than classes — but never mind. You’ve accomplished great things and stand on the threshold of your life. Granted, parents, siblings, friends and teachers have all sweated and agonized and hoped and sacrificed to get you this far — but it’s yours, one of the great accomplishments of your life. Savor it. And just because we know you expect it, we offer here a few pitchy graduation quotes — being suckers for tradition.
Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it. — Buddha If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. — Frank A. Clark Be yourself, everyone else is already taken. — Oscar Wilde I am always doing things I can’t do — that’s how I get to do them. — Pablo Picasso
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten — B.F. Skinner
Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. — George Bernard Shaw
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — William Butler Yeats
It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required. — Winston Churchill
Home-Schooled Students -Class of 2012
Ballam, Emily
Ballam, Jacqueline
Payson home-schooled graduates and their families, although outside the traditional school setting, have an opportunity to participate in a graduation ceremony complete with cap and gown at the 20th Annual Senior High Graduation Recognition Ceremony from 7
Glaster, Lydia
Hauptman, Alayna
p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 1 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Sponsored by the Arizona Families for Home Education organization, the ceremony allows homeschooled students a chance to participate in the time-
Congratulations
CLASS OF 2012 we’re proud of you!
Payson Hometown Store • 113 E. Hwy. 260 • 474-6050
Jackson, Caleb
honored ceremony of graduation. Payson has numerous home-schooled students who plan on attending colleges and universities around the state to pursue careers in nursing, education, music, web design, political science and English.
Jeremiah 29:11
Congrats,
Jess Benkert!
GRADUATION2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
MAY 2012 • PAGE 3
Sam Grassel: PHS valedictorian is driven BY MICHELE NELSON ROUNDUP STAFF REPORTER
Before Payson High School valedictorian Sam Grassel started school, he used to sit on his driveway drawing with chalk. Only he did not just draw pictures, he asked his mom to teach him to write the alphabet. “I wrote the alphabet as soon as I could talk,” said Grassel. He gained an advantage from his practice before he started school: he already knew the alphabet his classmates had to learn. This competitive edge has served him well in his school work and his love of sports. Grassel has a GPA well over 4.0 despite studying calculus, advance placement (AP) biology, physics, chemistry, U.S. history, English language and literature. He lettered in five sports — soccer, football, baseball, basketball and track, where he ran the 800-meter race. “Sports de-stresses you,” he said, “A healthy body equals a healthy mind.” He has been on student council for all four of his years at Payson High School, currently sitting as a class representative. He is a member of the National Honors Society where he helped to organize a school beautification day. “We planted dozens of plants, weeded and power washed,” Grassel said of the day. He has been a big brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization for the last two years. This year, he sat as president of the math club and he works for the Town of Payson as a referee for town soccer. He does volunteer work through the St. Vincent de Paul charities. He also works with Town Council member Su Connell
through the Payson Area Youth Advisory Council (PAYAC). The PAYAC students run fund-raisers and dances, survey students on suggestions for town activities and priorities and attend council meetings. Participating in all these activities made Grassel aware that he loves studying it all. “I don’t know what my passion is just yet,” he said, “I like all the subjects I take.” Grassel has not yet committed to the major he would like to study once he starts at the honors college at Arizona State University in the fall. Currently, he is interested in pursing a degree in either biology, bio-engineering, engineering, political science or economics. He does admit to toying with the idea of pursing a career in medicine. His father is a pharmacist, so Grassel has always been around the medical field. Grassel also knows Scott Nossek well. Nossek is one of Grassel’s baseball coaches. Nossek inspired Grassel with his knowledge, ability to help the community and attitude. “Dr. Nossek is so personal and part of the community,” said Grassel. Grassel also has a softer side. His two-years younger sister, Savannah, has always felt safe with her big brother around. “My mom tells the story that when I was young and I would be in my stroller and people would come up to ask to hold me,” she said, “My brother would come up to them and tell them, ‘That’s my sister — don’t bother her.’” To this day, Grassel will take his sister to school and to after-school events. The two say they can talk about anything because they are best friends. “We have the same interests and the same sense of humor,” said Savannah.
In addition to his academic achievements, Sam Grassel lettered in five sports — football, soccer, baseball, basketball and track.
Kelsie Owen: PHS salutatorian has a plan BY MICHELE NELSON ROUNDUP STAFF REPORTER
Kelsie Owen has played in the school band since second grade. Over the years, she has played all instruments in the percussion section including drums, chimes, bells and the marimba.
When in seventh-grade, Kelsie Owen woke up one day knowing her 20-year plan. “I decided I want to work with pediatric diabetes.” She intimately knows what it takes to live with Type One diabetes — she was diagnosed with the disease when she was three years old. Inspired by her doctor in Phoenix, whom she visited every three months for years, Owen has dedicated herself to this path. She took a summer program at Brown University that gave her an introduction to medicine. “Half the class didn’t know how to use a lancet,” she said, “I had to show them.” She knows the lancet well, having used it numerous times in the day to check her blood sugar. The disease easily frames a child’s life from blood tests, to high and low blood sugars, meal planning and endless rounds of medicine and doctors’ visits. Yet Owen does not let her diabetes run her schedule. She has over an A average from her career at Payson High School taking math through calculus, advance placement (AP) chemistry, physics, U.S. history, English literature and language. She enjoys science and learning about why things happen. She has played in bands since second grade when her best friend’s brother suggested the girls try percussion. Over the years, audiences saw her play all instruments in the pit — drums, chimes, bells and
the marimba. This year, she has worked for Gila County as a tutor to those seeking their General Education Degree (GED). She is a member of the Key Club, National Honors Society club, a big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, a member of Amnesty International, math club, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSH), and an officer for this year’s Relay for Life fund-raiser. With such a schedule, sleep is not always on the menu. “In AP history I had a lot to read,” she said, “I’d get home after doing all of my activities at 9 p.m., read between 9 and 12, sleep until 3 a.m., and then finish homework.” Last year, as president of the Key Club, she and her officers decided to start a “leadership lock in” for younger students. Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis Club. It is the world’s oldest student-run organization whose mission is to teach leadership through helping. That first year, 18 middle school students from Payson hung out together with the high school students from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. doing activities all night long. “We had no sleeping activities,” said Owen. This year, the overnight program expanded to include students from Pine to Tonto Basin. Owen looks forward to going on to the University of Arizona next year. There she will attend the honors college to study pre-med and public health where she will continue to work through her 20-year plan.
GRADUATION2012
PAGE 4 • MAY 2012
P A Y S O N President’s Award for Academic Excellence
Aguirre, Tyler Grassel, Samuel Nyhus, Kenneth Apps, Tyler Harper, Clinton Owen, Kelsie Bayless, Alicia Hawley, Nicole Patel, Neha Burger, Kayla Kitts, Daniel Shannon, Austin Curtis, Katelyn Martin, Kevin Slatalla, Laura Dalgai, Hannah McMinimy, Tyler Smith, Anthony Davis, Molly Mollenhauer, Tylar Sprinkle, Bethany Gorry, Cypress Mollohan, Rachel Stuart, Shelby Walker, Dillon NAVIT Central Program Completers
Anderson, Zachary Hodges, Tanner Marshall, Kyle Burger, Kayla Johnson, Cassie Royer, Sierra Costello, Michael Knoner, Jadasha Tangeman, Jade Student Academic Achievement Award
Kylie Ridley Karen Williams Principal’s Honor Roll Recipients
Aguirre, Tyler
H I G H
Gibson, Julie Parks, Heather Ward, Terena Ahir, Bavin Grassel, Samuel Patel, Neha Williams, Karen Anderson, Conner Grassel, Savannah Paulson, Arianna Wright, Shoshanah Anderson, Morgan Harper, Clinton Percell, Kayla Wright, Zoe Anderson. Zachary Hawley, Nicole Perry, Christopher Youngberg, William Apps, Tyler Hintze, Tanner Price, Emily Sopeland, Levi Argel, Holden Kitts, Andrew Ridings, Marily-Rose Stuart, Shelby Bailey, Jennifer Kitts, Daniel Ridley, Kylie Barnes, Adriana Kubby, Brooke Savage, Jonathan Becker, Adele Lemon, Jason Schmidt, Rockell Beier, Molly LeVac, Corey Schneider, Sarah Bhakta, Priya McAfee, Kassidy Schouten, Katherine Brown, James McMinimy, Tyler Schuler, Cody Cave, McKenna McMullen, Nicholas Scott, Michael Chilson, Morgan Mendoza, Miguel
S C H O O L
A W A R D
Shannon, Austin Conway, Keith Moceri, Natalie Smith, Anthony Croy, Michaela Mollenhauer, Tylar Tantimonaco, Janine Davis, Matthew Nguyen, Truc Tenney, Ali Edwin, Nisha Nyhus, Kenneth Utz, Annette Flores, Savannah Olivares, Natalia Vohs, Eric Fruth, Jordyn Osier, Rebecca Wala, Ryland Gabriel, Ian Paulo Owen, Kelsie Walker, Dillon Academic Awards Recipients
Agent, Jonathan Jordan, Cody Ridings, Marily-Rose Aguirre, Tyler Kitts, Daniel Ridley, Kylie Anderson, Deianeira Kofile, Andrew Sandretto, Gabrielle Anderson, Trevor Kral, Bryan Savage, Jonathan Apps, Tyler Kubby, Brooke Schneider, Sarah Bailey, Jennifer Lann, Warner Schnepp, Catalina Barnett, Cori Legassie, Savannah Schnepp, Tre’Anna Bhakta, Priya Lemon, Jason Schuler, Cody Blakley, Bradley
PAYSON ROUNDUP
W I N N E R S
LeVac, Corey Sockrider, Donald Brandt, John Lewis, Chris Spear, Ashley Brookhart, Kenneth Lopez, Teanna Tantimonaco, Janine Brown, Emily Martin, Cody Tantimonaco, Anthony Burditt, Michael Martinez, Michael Tenney, Ali Burkett, Caleb McGee, Faith Thomason, Cody Buskirk, John McGee. Merry Tsosie, Logan Butler, Trey McMillen, James Usey, Natasha Byas, Trent McMullen, Nick Utz, Annette Cave, McKenna McNamara, Brianna Wala, Ryland Chavez, Pedro Mendoza, Miguel Walker, Dillon Chen, Shenyi Mikami, Urara Wallace, Tim Clawson, Trevor Mitchell, Angela Warren, Brandon Couch, Jonathan Moceri, Natalie Weaver, Reece Croy, Tyler Mollenhauer, Tylar Werner, Elijah Curtis, Dannie Moody, Michael White, Jessica Dalgai, Hannah North, Taylor Williams, Karen
Davis, Rachel Nunez, Anthony Wright, Zoe Davis, Sarah Nunez, Anthony York, Jessica Davis, Ty Oldeschulte, Christopher Zirinsky, Haley Devaney, Nicole Oldeschulte, Joseph Dunman, Sadie Oldeschulte, Star Dyer, Courtney Olivares, Natalia Feistner, Johnathan Osier, Rebecca Flake, Madison Owen, Kelsie Fleischaker, Shiloh Owens, Justice Flores, Savannah Parker, T.J. Flum, Joshua Parks, Heather Frewin, Chelsea Parrish, Autumn Gabriel, Ian Paulo Pate, Hayden Garza, Joey Myers Patel, Neha Gosnell, Kassandra Paulson, Arianna Hamilton, Tyler Pennington, Dominique Hargrave, Teddy Perry, Christopher Hartnell, Amanda Perry, Michaela Hawley, Nicole Peterson, Taylor Hendriz, Ernesto Ploughe, Megan Hill, Jamie Price, Emily Hodges, Trenton Radimaker, Rebecca Jones, Katie Reynolds, Christina
S C H O L A R S H I P S Tylar Anne Mollenhauer NAU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship IPAD Scholarship Edith Haner Scholarship
President’s Scholarship
Kenneth Nyhus
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship
ASU
Provost Scholarship
Kelsie Elizabeth Owen
U OF A
Wildcat Excellence Award
Micaela Croy
ASU
Provost Scholarship
Neha Patel
ASU
Leadership Scholarship
Samuel Grassel
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship
Cameron Romance
NAU
NAU Merit Scholarship
Clint Harper
GCU
Grand Canyon Servant Scholarship Merit Scholarship
Laura Slatalla
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship
Levi Sopeland
ASU
Provost Scholarship
Nicole Hawley
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship Bethany Sprinkle
NAU
NAU Dean’s Scholarship
Tanner Hodges
ASU
Deans Scholarship Shelby Stuart
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship
Daniel Kitts
U OF A
Wildcat Excellence Award Dillon Michael Walker
U OF A
Wildcat Excellence Award
Tyler Adam McMinimy
U OF A
Regents High Honor Tuition Award Shoshanah E. Wright
NAU
NAU Merit Scholarship
AZ. Christian University
Provost’s Scholarship
Iris Molina
Tyler Aguirre
ASU
AIMS High Honors Tuition Scholarship
Ashley Ammann
ASU
Dean’s Scholarship
Tyler Apps
GCU
Sarah Cluff
GRADUATION2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
MAY 2012 • PAGE 5
Payson High School Class of 2012 Agent, Jonathon
Aguirre, Tyler
Ammann, Ashley
Anglemire, Ashley
Apps, Tyler
Barnes, Adrianna
Barr, Hunter
Bayless, Alicia
Belcher, Cole
Bellah, Sarah
Bickert, Patrick
Brookhart, Kenneth
Brown, Jimmy
Burger, Kayla
Burris, Megan
Carlen, Jaymi
Carter, Justin
Cluff, Sarah
Cobb, Justin
Cochrum, Nicole
Collins, Brooke
Costello, Michael
Creighton, Rachel
Crisp, Cody
Croy, Micaela
Curi, Nik
Curtis, Katelyn
D’Agostino, Chelsea
Dalgai, Hannah
Davis, Molly
Davis, Sarah
DeSpain, Cade
Devaney, Nicole
Dougherty, Will
Dyer, Courtney
Way to go
2 1 0 2 f o s s Cla Congratulations to ALL!
431 S. Beeline 928.474.2265 www.weinsurepayson.com
GRADUATION2012
PAGE 6 • MAY 2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
Payson High School Class of 2012 Eckhardt, Duglas
Essaff, Sabrina
Flores, Savannah
Flum, Josh
Frye, Andrew
Geske, Garrett
Gomez, Josue
Gorry, Cypress
Grassel, Sam
Gunderson, Lacee
Hacker, Jacob
Hamilton, Tyler
Harper, Clinton
Hartnell, Amanda
Hawley, Nicole
Henning, Destiny
Hesson, Gabe
Hodges, Tanner
Hollobaugh, Troy
Johnson, Kali
Jones, Krieg
Jordan, Cody
Kitts, Daniel
Klausner, Anya
Kofile, Andrew
Kral, Bryan
Kueny, Katrina
Lewis, Christopher
Lloyd, James
Lopez, Teanna
Loyd, Cierra
Lux, Marlisa
Marshall, Kyle
Martin, Kevin
May, Kori
To the graduates of 2012
Step away from the beaten path Go your own way. Blaze your own trail. Be your own man, your own woman. Venture where others have feared, or have failed to even see. You are a creation unlike any other. So step away from the beaten path. Discover who you really are. And brighten our world with your magic.
“Celebrating 28 years in the Rim Country”
Say it with diamonds
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GRADUATION2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
MAY 2012 • PAGE 7
Payson High School Class of 2012 McCormick, Caleb
McCown, Rachel
McMinimy, Tyler
McWilliam, Miles
Molina, Iris
Mollenhauer, Tylar
Mollohan, Rachel
Nottingham, Christopher
Novack, Cale
Nyhus, Kenneth
Oakley, Joshua
Oldeschulte, Christopher
Oldeschulte, Joseph
Olvera-Herrera, Amanda
Owen, Kelsie
Parker, Ashley
Parssinen, Shayla
Patel, Neha
Pearce, Sidney
Perry, Michaela
Ploughe, Megan
Raecke, Kyle
Rehm, Devon
Richardson, Dylan
Rockwell, Johnathon
Romance, Cameron
Royer, Sierra
Rozboril, Daniel
Ruelas, Cristian
Shannon, Austin
Slatalla, Laura
Smith, Anthony
Sopeland, Levi
Spear, Jacob
Sprinkle, Bethany
Congratulations Class of 2012 Go far on your life’s journey!
i’m lovin’ it
McDonalds of Payson 107 E. Hwy. 260 474-3698
GRADUATION2012
PAGE 8 • MAY 2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
Payson High School Class of 2012 Stone, Jessica
Stradling, Eryk
Stuart, Shelby
Swenson, Clayton
Tangeman, Jade
Tatum, Carter
Taylor, Candace
Tsosie, Logan
Wadington, Jamie
Walker, Dillon
Walker, Harmony
Wallace, Tim
Warne, Kathleen
Wiebe, Cassandra
Williams, Keith
Wilson, Zachary
Woolwine, Kayla
Wright, Shoshanah
Zermeno, Eduardo
Anderson, Zachary
Batey, Aaron
NOT PICTURED Barnes, Aaron Merryman, Cassandra Dorame-Ruiz, Vivian Thompson, Tylor Wilkins, Levi Yazzie, Kenvin Black, Natalie
Voted BES T of PAYSON!
Goodwin, Reno
Jacot, Tiffany
Nguyen, Hieu
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GRADUATION2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP
MAY 2012 • PAGE 9
Payson Center for Success Class of 2012 Alvarez, Haileigh
Campbell, Mercedeze
Gamboa, Ivan
Payson Center for Success, the alternative charter school in Payson, graduated six seniors at commencement ceremonies held Friday, May 18 at St Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. Lead teacher Gary Fishel emceed the event.
Goseyun, Terro
Megan Toensing was the student speaker and Haileigh Alvarez read the PCS traditional graduation poem. As a personal touch, past student Anthony Acevedo filmed each student’s family wishing
Robinson, Hillaree
Toensing, Megan
their graduate good luck. Graduating students’ plans include going into the military or workforce, and continuing on to community college to pursue careers in nursing and education.
Payson Education Center Class of 2012 Abraham, Jesse
Amick, Cory
Engels, Jon
Garner, Tim
Harrison, Cinnamon
Kamp, James
Lehman, Brent
Nelson, Mary
Oesterreich, Tyler
Salas, Britney
Scovel, Brittnie
Sharp, Brandy
Straughn, Katelyne
Wagenknecht, Destiny
On Saturday, May 19, the largest Payson Education Center graduating class walked in an afternoon ceremony to receive their diplomas. Twenty students graduated, 13 participating in the rite of passage held at Mountain Bible Church. James Quinlan, English instructor at Gila Community College, gave the keynote speech entitled, “Words of Wisdom” to send the graduates into the world.
Senior Mary Nelson gave the student graduate speech. Notable this year, graduates received eight scholarships totaling $4,050.00, said PEC principal Peggy Miles. Ernie and Janet Yeager sponsored and presented the “Moving On” scholarship to Katelyne May Straughn and Tim Garner. James Tye, Optimist Club president, presented three scholarships. Tyler Oesterreich and Britney
Salas received Transitions scholarships and Mary Nelson received the Academic scholarship. Nelson also received an academic scholarship from the Kiwanis Club. President Mike Clark presented the award. The Rotary Club of Payson will grant two academic scholarships, but the names have not yet been released. “We are grateful for the support of the community and service organization clubs,” said Miles.
PAGE 10 • MAY 2012
GRADUATION2012
Photos by Andy Towle/Roundup
Gila Community College graduates included nurses (above), firefighters, grandmothers like Janice Clarice Workman (at right) and more. Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2012 were held May 9.
GCC graduates largest class ever BY PETE ALESHIRE ROUNDUP EDITOR
Gila Community College this year graduated its largest class ever before a happy throng of 300 family, friends and faculty. The nursing students dominated, testament to the success of its booming professional credentialing program. Students seeking credentials as firefighters and paramedics followed on their heels. But the college also graduated its first-ever Associate of Arts Degree, which went to Janice Clarice Workman, who signed up for a pottery class and ended up with a college degree that has inspired her great grandchildren. She joined 34 other proud graduates who listened to speeches and then walked across the stage at the First Church of the Nazarene before an overflow crowd of happy friends, family, teachers and supporters. “I just wanted to see if I could do it,” said Workman of the dogged effort that lasted for years. “But then I heard my children telling my grandchildren they had to go to college. They said ‘if grandma can do it, you can do it.’” And now, several of her grandchildren have graduated from Arizona State University. One works as an air traffic controller, another is a teacher in Japan. Research shows when a parent gets a college degree, it dramatically increases the odds subsequent generations will go through that same door. “I’m so proud of her,” gushed Workman’s brother, Alan Adams. “She had a hard life — she had children when she was so young. She’s worked so hard — and now she has grandkids and great-grandkids. It’s just inspiring.” Graduates of the college’s booming nursing program dominated the ranks of black-robed graduates, with a contingent of Associate of General Studies degree holders also out in force. The speakers included nursing student Jacqueline Rhea Blanch who told her beaming classmates “You may feel funny like I do up here in these robes, but now we’ve got to honor the commitment we’ve made today and put these diplomas to good use.” GCC English professor James Quinlan advised the graduates to pay attention to who they marry — since that will determine about 90 percent of their happiness — or misery. And furthermore “Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your mother proud of you.” He urged graduates to savor each day, rather than living for the future or dwelling in the past.
“I tell my students in English 101, ‘this may be as good as it gets.’ These are the good old days.” Gila County District Attorney Daisy Flores, on the other hand, told graduates “The best times are ahead of you. It’s up to you to decide who you’re going to be. What is going to make you happy? Whatever that is: Just do it. Nike had that right. You need to decide, so that when you’re sitting in your rocker on your tush looking back, you have absolutely no regrets.” Flores, herself a cancer survivor who also recovered from a nearly fatal accident, advised graduates to cultivate a defiant attitude in the face of hardship. “Take whatever they give you: I task you to be defiant” no matter what the challenge. She could have been talking about Workman, who persisted in the face of a lifetime of obstacles. She started out just wanting to create something — and she ended up determined to prove something, both to herself and to those attentively watching grandchildren. She signed up for a pottery class — and a counselor convinced her to enroll in the additional academic classes that would lead to a degree. “When I started those academic classes, I just about had a heart attack,” she said. “I went to the first day of my English 101 class and I just about walked out. Everything she was saying, I’d never heard of before.” All her fears and frustrations came flooding back. “I was discouraged when I was in school,” she said. “I had learning issues I didn’t know I had.” But she didn’t walk out this time. She found her joy in the art classes — and her confidence in the academic classes. “I love to make pretty much everything,” she said. “Sculptures, paintings, dragons, wizards. I take it one day at a time. But I fill my day with things that make me feel wonderful.” She said that on Wednesday morning she woke up and felt a momentary panic that she hadn’t done her homework. “Then I thought: No, no, no. I’m done.” She got another bit of news, just before donning her robes. She had spent months studying for her algebra test with the help of a tutor, since it represented the last hurdle. The test itself proved an ordeal. “It took me four and a half hours and half a pack of cigarettes to get through it,” she said apologetically, “I lose my train of thought.” Her score? One hundred percent. You go, girl. And great-grandkids: Take note — very careful notes.
PAYSON ROUNDUP
PAYSON ROUNDUP
GRADUATION2012
MAY 2012 • PAGE 11
AAS General Technical Studies: Conyers James Hardy Tanner Daniel Hodges Caleb Michael Jackson* Jonathan Daniel McGee Coby A. Smith
AAS Administration of Justice: Sarah Janelle Gilson* AA Art Education: Janice Clarice Workman* AAS Business: Marylita Logan
AAS Graphic Design: Otis Jay Rustin Roland Valencia
Associate of Business: Charlene Keeney AA Business Education: Bethany Ann Greenwall** AAS Computer Information Specialist: Marcia C. Rustin AAS Cosmetology: Chassidie L. Van Woesik AAS Early Childhood Education: Rhonda M. Avalos Leticia Marie Belvado Alicia Wynne Henio* AA Elementary Education: Bianca Patricia Melford Tesha Marie Polkabla
The faculty and staff of GCC wish you all the best.
AS Engineering: Eric Scott Johnston AAS Fire Science: Jacob Richard Gardner Tanya A. Olson AA General Studies: Letitia M. Curtis Associate of General Studies: Brendan Ashley Baroldy Roxanne Nichole Becker** Erlene Ann Brown Bradley Allen Dyer Molly Daylene Gonzales Vicki Helene Hamlett Tanner R. Hatch** Allison Marie Huffer Zachariah Lamar Kinnard** Taylor Rose Krigbaum Marylita Logan Heather Martin Megan Ruth Olivar Corbin Olson Hanna Palandri Bridget Mary Retzlaff
AAS Nursing: Jason B. Anderson Charles Eloy Bailey Jenni Lee Bilske* Jacqueline Rhea Blanch*** Donald Gene Brenner Mariah Louise Clawson Tamara Davidson* Brian Dale Francom* Carrie L. Garrett* Adrienne H. Hall** Linda Sue Harris Sarah J. Hummer** Dave W. Lyons* Brian Kurt Marler*** Cuong Van Ngyuen* Tara Dyan Norton* Tracey D. Oddonetto*** Michael Paul Petersen Krysta Michelle Ramey Jacob Troy Russell*** Deane Theresa Salk Kindall Ann Szpak John Douglas Vandruff Audrie L. Verdugo Alexis A. Voigt*** Abby Marie Walker Anthony Weaver*** Kori Aishanna Wells Christine J. Whetstone*** Brittany Nicole Williams AAS Pharmacy Technician: Cynthia A. Brier
* Honors ** High Honors *** Highest Honors
Comee andd bee a partt off ourr traditionn off excellence!! Gila Pueblo Campus
Payson Campus
San Carlos Campus
928.425.8481
928.468.8039
928.475.5981
Creating futures...
www.gilaccc.org www.facebook.com/GilaCC
PAGE 12 • MAY 2012
GRADUATION2012
PAYSON ROUNDUP