NCCC GRADS 2010

Congratulations!

WINSTED — It was a beautiful late spring evening when the members of Northwestern Connecticut Community College’s class of 2010 walked across the stage in East End Park to receive the diplomas and certificates they earned during the Winsted school’s commencement ceremony May 27.

“Today we honor the 111 women and the 43 men who make up the class of 2010,� Barbara Douglass, the president of Northwestern Connecticut Community College, told the hundreds of friends and family members who gathered on the Green to celebrate the students’ academic success.

During her welcoming remarks, Douglass said some 90 percent of this year’s graduating class are residents of the Northwest Corner, with 17 graduates aged 61 years or older, and four veterans of the armed forces.

In addition, 27 graduates are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honor society for two-year colleges.

“Making a living is not the same thing as making a life,� Douglass reminded the graduates during her talk.

Frank Ridley, the chairman of the state’s Board of Governors of Higher Education, also shared words of wisdom with the graduates during his opening comments.

“Go forward in life with an open mind and an open heart,� Ridley said.

This year’s Board of Trustees Merit Award was presented to the Foundation for Community Health,  a Sharon-based nonprofit organization that seeks to promote and improve access to health care in the smaller and rural communities in northwest Connecticut and eastern New York state.

A grant from the foundation helped to fund the creation of the college’s new nursing program.

“They are a genuine supporter and friend to northwest Connecticut,� Douglass said.

Also, Dr. Peter Hauser, a member of the college’s class of 1992, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Alumni Award. Since graduating from NCCC, Hauser has distinguished himself as a leader in neuropsychology, specializing in working with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, according to Alumni Association President Holly Martin.

Jeannette Niehaus, president of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and a member of school’s student senate, spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates during last Thursday’s ceremony.

“Our little Northwestern is a pretty cool place,� Niehaus said with a smile to her classmates.

“We’ve had an opportunity not only to attend class but to tend to a community,� she said, adding that although each one of them are different, the graduates’ “sense of purpose connects us.�

“What ever you are doing, may it be driven by something greater than yourselves,� Niehaus told her classmates.

The ceremony’s keynote address was given by poet and author Taylor Mali. During his youth, Mali, a New York City native and former teacher, frequently spent weekends and summer vacations in Norfolk, where members of his family still reside.

In his address, “17 Things I Know To Be True,� the slam poet told the graduates that “it is never too late to start improving yourself� and that at the same time it is also important to “be gentle to yourselves.�

“Be the change you want to see in the world,� he said.

Karin Elizabeth Abalan of Winsted, Associate Degree in Medical Assistance
Margit L. Ahlman Gentile of Torrington, Certification for Photography Certificate
Rebecca Emily Allen of Pleasant Valley, Associate Degree in Human Services
Justin Michael Arcelaschi of Winsted, Associate Degree in General Studies
Todd Christopher Arcelaschi of Winsted, Certification for Graphic Design
Amie Marie Balcom of Terryville, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Alexandra L. Banks of Canton, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Dan G. Barrett of Torrington, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Matthew James Barrett of Harwinton, Associate Degree in General Studies and Certification for Adventure Education
Roberta Bergancini of Lemon Grove, Calif., Associate Degree in General Studies
Megan R. Birdsall of Northfield, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Theresa A. Blanchard of Sandisfield, Mass., Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Lauren Stephanie Blomquist of New Hartford, Associate Degree in General Studies and Allied Health
Steven Douglas Blomquist of New Hartford, Associate Degree in CompSys: Computer Programming and Web/Internet Design
Kelly Louise Bossidy of Torrington, Associate Degree in Recreation
Ashley Marie Boutin of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Rebecca Jeanne Bowen of Granby, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Stacey Lee Bowers of Southington, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Benjamin Andrew Brown of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Kelly Marie Brown of Barkhamsted, Associate Degree in General Studies
Victoria Gabrielle Brown of Winsted, Associate Degree in General Studies
Mary E. Bruey of Norfolk, Associate Degree in General Studies
Nicole Danielle Cerruto of Winsted, Associate Degree in Business Management
Vincent L. Chaigne of Torrington, Associate Degree in General Studies and Certification in Photography
Karri Lee Chapman of Terryville, Associate Degree in Fine Arts
Virginia Louise Cianciolo of Torrington, Associate Degree in Human Services
Michiel David Considine of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Ashley Elizabeth Cook of Torrington, Associate Degree in Business Management
Heather Marie Cooke of Terryville, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Dawn Marie Coolidge of Torrington, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Kylleen Marie Coon of Torrington, Associate Degree in General Studies
Cameron Alyssa Corbin of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Shannon Marie Corey of Torrington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Andrew S. Coy of Winsted, Associate Degree in Business
Matthew James Cristaldi of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Beth Ann Daley of Torrington, Certification for Adventure Education
Mark F. Dallavalle of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Jamie Dance of Sharon, Certification in Allied Health
Natasha Rose Danielak of Southington, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Megan E. Danisi of Sharon, Certification for Fine Arts and Photography
Cynthia A.P. Davidson of Winsted, Associate Degree in General Studies
Christine L. Davis of Granby, Certification for Adventure Education
Shenika Justina Davis of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Ryan Drew Delaney of New Milford, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Amber Lynn Dobkins of Oakville, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Kerri Lynne Dolan of Sandy Hook, AA of Liberal Arts and Science
Jennifer Rae Donovan of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Heather Liane Dorosh of Northfield, Associate Degree in General Studies
Keith Patrick Farrell of Torrington, AA of Liberal Arts and Science
Jennifer Ann Filer of Windsor, Certification for Adventure Education
Lauren Elizabeth Fox of New Hartford, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Jennifer Marie Frey of Avon, Certification for Fine Arts and Animation/Video Arts
Michael H. Gallagher of Northfield, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Kelly Lynne Gay of Cornwall Bridge, Associate Degree in Human Services
Stephanie Joyce Geiling of Avon, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Diomedes Germosen of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Jill M. Goldfarb of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Paul William Harper of Naugatuck, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Deborah Ann Haut of Pine Meadow, Associate Degree in Allied Health Administration and Medical Assisting
Jennifer Lynn Hill of Canaan, Associate Degree in General Studies and General Business Applications
Carey D. Hock of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Jeanine Marie Hodgkiss of East Canaan, Associate Degree in Technical Studies
Lori Jean Hylinski of Oxford, Certification for Human Services
Michael J. Iacino of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Carolyn B. Ingoldsby of Torrington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Home Child Care
Casey Leslie Irish of Riverton, Associate Degree in Human Services
Ruzena Celinka Jata of New Haven, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Yesika Jimenez of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Young M. Joh of Harwinton, Certification for Health Career Pathways Cert
Chelsea Lee Julian of Torrington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Home Child Care
Darlene Victoria Karolyi of Torrington, Associate Degree in General Studies
Stelios Karouta of Winsted, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Erin Marie Keefe of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Christopher William Kelly of Essex Junction of VT of Associate Degree in General Studies
Suzanne Marie Kline of Santa Rosa, Calif., Associate Degree in Business and Management
Elizabeth Anne Konet of Madison, Associate Degree in General Studies
Teresa Lynn Martin Krulicki of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Jared L. Krupa of Torrington, Associate Degree in Graphic Communication Design
Mark Lee Landry of Terryville, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Taissa C. Lange of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Jordan David Levesque of Norfolk, Associate Degree in Recreation
Lori Ann Lichaa of West Simsbury, Associate Degree in General Studies
Lindsey Anne Lockwood of Riverton, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Alexandra Ann Lopes of Torrington, Associate Degree in General Studies
Danielle Melekaola Nakoa Lum of Winsted, Associate Degree in Recreation
Andrew M. Lynch of Farmington, Associate Degree in General Studies
Jessica Antonella Madia of Torrington, Associate Degree in Graphic Communication Design
Anne Malisk of Torrington, Associate Degree in Human Services
Chelsea Lynne Maloney of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Kathleen Begley Manion of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
John Patrick Marcum of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Casey Paul Marquis of Winsted, Associate Degree in General Studies
Elizabeth Anne Marsh of New Hartford, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Wesley Charles Marsh of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Tara Marie Martinez of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Patricia McCarthy of Canaan, Associate Degree in Recreation
Alexandria J. McCullough of Torrington, Associate Degree in Deaf Studies
Brittany Marie McKeon of Colebrook, Certification for Health Career Pathways and Allied Health
Courtney April McWha of East Hartland, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design and General Studies
Anika Salvon Mitchell of Torrington, Certification in Allied Health
Alisha Lynn Morrell of Torrington, Associate Degree in Medical Assistance
Isolde G. Moulton of Winsted, Associate Degree in Medical Assistance
Jessica Murray of Torrington, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Maryann Musselman of Torrington, Certification for Adventure Education
Desiree E. Nageotte of Wolcott, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Jennette Page Niehaus of Barkhamsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Todd Myles Novak of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Morgan Marie Paganini of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Lindsey Monique Palmer of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Ashley Catherine Penna of Harwinton, Associate Degree in Deaf Studies
Ambyr L. Petersen of Torrington, Associate Degree in Recreation
Jason Thomas Pilares of Canton, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Tammy Pozzo of Boston, Mass., Associate Degree in Bus&Mgmt Admin: Banking Option
Roberta JoAnn Pratt of Prospect, Associate Degree in Computer Systems Technology
Justin L. Rack of New Milford, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Matthew William Rankin of Canton, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Jennie A. Reese of New Hartford, Associate Degree in Physical Therapy
Kelly Ann Richnavsky of Torrington, Associate Degree in Fine Arts
Michael Andrew Roberts of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Kellsey Lynne Schaffer of Torrington, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Erika Leigh Schubert of New Hartford, Certification in Allied Health and General Studies
Amanda Ann Sechow of Thomaston, Associate Degree in Interpreter prep for ASL
Corey David Sedgwick of New Hartford, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Sharon Elizabeth Seltzer of Norfolk, Certification for Adventure Education
George Sherman of Barkhamsted, Certification for Adventure Education
Lori B. Sievel of Torrington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Home Child Care
Colleen Mary Smith of Barkhamsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Jonathan P. Stevens of Riverton, Associate Degree in Business and Management
Matthew Joseph Stoner of Torrington, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Elizabeth Suarez of Torrington, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Aaron Suddaby of Goshen, Certification for Adventure Education
Jamie Lynne Sultaire of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Magdalena M. Sypniewski of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Malgorzata Szubra-Zacharow of Salisbury, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design and Certification for Digital Publishing
Kevin M. Teeling of Winsted, Associate Degree in Business and Management
Meredith Leigh Thommen of Kent, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Jamie Lynn Thompson of Winsted, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Mylessia Tkacs of New Hartford, Certification for Graphic Design
Rebecca Lynne Todhunter of Torrington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Certification for Home Child Care
Holly M. Tonn of Burlington, Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Camilo Torres of Canaan, Associate Degree in Business and Management
Louis William Umile of Meriden, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
Christine Elizabeth Waddell of Manchester, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Margaret Lee Wainman of Barkhamsted, Certification for Web Master/Internet Design
William G. Warner of Canaan, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
Amanda Cathryn Wells of Washington Green, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Brianna E. Whalen of Norfolk, Associate Degree in Environ Sci: Natural Res Opt
Bonnie Erina Wheeler of Torrington, Associate Degree in General Studies
Lisa A. White of Terryville, Certification for Therapeutic Recreation
Ashley M. Wilkins of Torrington, Associate Degree in Business and Management
Noelle A. Winn of Winsted, Certification for Medical Assistance
Benjamin Mark Winter of Bristol, Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Drew M. Witter of Wallingford, Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
James Lester Young of Burlington, Certification for Graphic Design