2008 Woodie Awards
One former Iowa State University student turned non-traditional KCC student said she found the confidence she needed here at Kirkwood Community College to be successful. Jen Gladon is now a second-year student who initially enrolled to explore different career options.
With a dash of pepper here and a pinch of salt there, Kirkwood Community College Culinary Arts Outstanding Student has truly added spice to her life. Connie Kokontis said she has always loved to cook. After being laid off from her accounting job after 13 years, she said she enrolled in the Kirkwood program in hopes of someday owning a fine dining and carry out gourmet restaurant.
Achieving outstanding student status at Kirkwood is a family affair for one Cedar Rapids couple. Husband and wife, Matt and Heidi Dean, have been selected in their respective lines of study; business for Matt and nursing for Heidi. The couple will transfer to Mount Mercy College in their chosen fields.
"My brother got me my first job at a shop about five years ago," said Automotive Technology major Russell Thier. "Ever since that's what I wanted to do." The Dyersville native is one of 10 students in the nation to receive a $2,500 AC Delco scholarship and one of only five recipients studying Automotive Technology.
Three years ago a Columbian woman came to the U.S. to visit her sister. She enjoyed her visit so much she decided to stay. Today that woman, Carolina Restrepo, is the Graphic Communication Program's Outstanding Student. "I went to the Johnson Center to learn English and that is where I heard about graphic communication at Kirkwood," she said.
The difference between high school and college for Outstanding Student Brenna Lynch was a matter of focus. "In high school, I tried a lot of things and in college I became focused," Lynch said. In her sophomore year at Jefferson High School, Lynch was awarded best performer in prep show choir after not being accepted her freshman year.
Tattoos-whether one believes they are an expressive form of art or a vulgar blemish on one's body, they can be seen everywhere. From celebrities to your next-door neighbor, tattoos running from dime-sized to full body coverage are common sight. While one may love his "KISS Rules" tattoo discreetly placed on his behind today will he in twenty years? There are a couple of do's and don'ts in tattooing which may help people avoid removal in the future.
Palm trees, a cruise ship, sea shells and other signs of the tropics were on display for the "Sail Away" theme at Kirkwood's seventh annual awards banquet and dance. Held at the Clarion Hotel April 16, it was an evening of dinning, eating and recognizing achievements of clubs, organizations and people who make Kirkwood activities happen.
The Human Service Department's outstanding student has overcome the partial loss of a limb and alcoholism to get to where she is today. She has come to discover life's journey is full of second chances. Linda Tanner's battle began in early 2000 in St. Louis, where she received surgery to amputate her right leg from the knee down.