The 2016 Salt Lake Community College Graduates of Excellence are as follows:
“Lacking
educational support in my native country did not diminish my desire for one day
obtaining a degree. Arriving to the United States opened those possibilities,
which I could not take for granted. Nonetheless, I had to wait a while as I
focused my priority on raising a family. Because learning has always been my
passion, deciding to come back to school was easy. So far, it has proven to be
full of challenges and sacrifices. Trying to find enough time to juggle the
everyday life of family, relationships, motherhood, school and full-time work
can be sometimes daunting and exhausting. I
have been rewarded with education, awareness and appreciation. As I embraced my
life as a student, opportunities such as obtaining a work-study position in
Student Life became a major catapult for the path I’m taking. My plan is to
continue furthering my education by obtaining a double major in psychology and
ethnic studies.”
General Studies
Ashley Baker, 3.9GPA
“The General Education program at Salt Lake Community
College has had a profound impact on my life. It’s allowed me to explore the
vast aspects of education and figure out my place in the world. I’ve opened my
eyes, discovered what my passion is and I’ve found a place in the world where I
fit. My goal is to inspire my children and teach them to be strong people and
to not hold themselves back because of some false self-belief. I hope my
message to the world is: be okay with who you are and never doubt what you can
become if you’re dedicated and willing to put in the effort. I know I have a
long way to go, but at least I’m on my way.”
Ashley Baker
Criminal Justice
Catarina Granucci, 3.75GPA
“My academic success and dedication to my career field of
choice is a direct and indirect attribution to the remarkable instructors whom
have influenced me and guided me in this endeavor. Indeed, my personal progress
and increased thirst for knowledge has been enhanced due to my professors,
encouraging me and motivating me to learn and do more. Their instruction has
served as a foundation for bettering myself, while their advisement continues
to resonate within my thoughts. As such, I have a deep passion for what I do,
in part, and in resemblance of that passion demonstrated to me by my
instructors for what they do every day.”
Catarina Granucci
Business/General
Studies
Fabrynn Soonalote, 3.7GPA
“As a minority first-generation student, my
journey into the world of college, of any education beyond high school, was a
difficult one. If it were not for the support of those close to me as well as a
few amazing advisors I met through SLCC—Lee Martinez, Will ‘Unga, Brandi Mair
and Tevita Hola—I honestly don’t believe that I would have been able to achieve
as much as I was able to here at SLCC. They pushed me to believe in myself, to
the point of realizing that college is achievable and life is survivable, and
in doing so I took a step outside my comfort zone, outside of the everyday life
of someone just passing through, and I discovered a world I never would have
been able to comprehend let alone experience. I discovered through Student Life
and Leadership, my talent as a graphic designer, my talent as a student and my
abilities to achieve more than I thought would be possible for myself.”
Fabrynn Soonalote
Health
Sciences
Joelle Merriman, 3.96GPA
“I knew I needed to go back to school and
obtain the skills for a career that would help me rise above it all, and I had
to rise to the challenge. My children were depending on me, and it was sink or
swim time. I had a long list of small goals that I needed to accomplish to
reach my final goal. I remember envisioning where I wanted to be way back then
and giving myself a pep talk, ‘I can do this!’ I look back now and realize how
far I have come and know that I can accomplish anything. It hasn’t been easy.
It’s not easy being a single mom coming home from a long day of school, work or
clinicals just to face not only mine but also my children’s schoolwork and
studying. I had many things working against my success and sacrifice was always
demanded. My hope is that my children will see my example and be proud of me
and inspired by me. They are my motivation and the whole reason why I
persevered.”
Joelle Merriman
Pre Health Sciences
Lillith Draper, 3.97GPA
“I received my letter of acceptance into the
nursing program at Salt Lake Community College in 2012, and things have been in
full-speed since then. I had positive relationships with all of my teachers,
but some that stand out in my memory are Debbie Schuster, Deb Smith, Julie
Rowsey, Matt Cropper, Karen Risch and Shane Carter. They were all very
approachable and helped us find creative ways to remember the stacks of
information we covered. Ah, the good times. The support I have received from my
husband, children, teachers and friends on this journey has been amazing. I
knew all the hard work would pay off in the end.”
Lillith Draper
Fashion
Design
Trung Tham, 3.8GPA
During my time at the SLCC Fashion Institute,
I’ve taken full advantage of the tools, resources and opportunities that are
offered. Whether it was being chosen to design a dress for a war veteran as
part of the ‘Grit To Glamour’ project, earning an honorable mention in the
International Interior Design Association’s ‘Fashion Remix’ competition, serving
as treasurer of the fashion club or displaying my artwork at the President’s
Art Show, I have been very involved and eager to participate in the school’s
various art and fashion events. When you think of fashion, you don’t
necessarily think of Utah as being on the radar. My internships and freelance
work proved to me that there are a lot of opportunities to do fashion even in
this market. I believe this is a good foundation for me to make the next step
in my career. I aspire to continue my fashion education in New York or London.
The faculty members in the fashion design program have helped prepare me to
achieve this goal.
Trung Tham
Psychology
Vanessa Wilkins, 4.0GPA
Vanessa Wilkins
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