TCC Chronicle

PROFILES: MAY 2006 GRADUATION-STUDENT SPEAKER RUNNERS-UP

Lisa Benjamin	Crystal Lemon	Natalie Powers	Christy Robinson	Bonnie Walton

 

Lisa Benjamin
Student speaker runner-up

It’s been a life-long dream of Lisa Benjamin’s to go to college. But as a Navy wife, moving to a new location seven times in 15 years, she had little chance to pursue that dream. “My husband was completing his degree and it was too difficult having both of us in school. I stepped back to focus on raising our kids, managing the household and working part-time as a cosmetologist,” she recalls.

When the family moved to Chesapeake for a Navy shore-duty tour, the time was finally right for Benjamin. In one year, while bringing just nine credit hours to TCC, she earned a 4.0 GPA and completed her business administration associate degree. “I wanted to set an example for my children as they move through their high school years. It felt hypocritical encouraging them to get good grades and go college, when I hadn’t taken that step yet,” Benjamin notes. “It’s been great to see them apply themselves more and develop better study skills and to have the attitude that college is obtainable - all because of my success.”

While at TCC, Benjamin embraced the college experience serving as a tutor and mentor in the Teaching and Learning Center. She was an active member and treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa, a founding member and treasurer of the Chesapeake Geology Club and founding member of the Chesapeake chapter of Colleges again Cancer. In addition, twice she traveled to Richmond to represent the VCCS with senators and delegates.

Benjamin was nominated for the All USA Academic Team and plans to continue her education at ODU this fall. “At TCC I’ve gained confidence and so much more. My professors were great, always getting me to think and look beyond what they were teaching.”

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Crystal Lemon
Student speaker runner-up

Financial difficulties and health issues resulted in a rough start of college life for Crystal Lemon. After dropping out of Radford and Old Dominion universities, Lemon moved to Ohio and became a professional clown. “I enjoyed clowning and perpetuating that art form, but it was not my ultimate career choice,” she recalls. “After auditioning for Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, I realized that my internal drive to get my degree was still there, and I had to start moving in that direction again.”

Lemon returned to Hampton Roads and enrolled at TCC. “After taking my first geology course with professor James Coble I was enthralled with the subject and changed my major to geological engineering and geophysics.”

TCC’s Women’s Center offered Lemon support and a Laura McCullough Foundation Scholarship. She then joined Phi Theta Kappa and became a member of the STEM Pioneer Project. "I excelled because of the people at TCC. One of my finest memories is writing a paper on campus late one night and having my advisor, Martha Bagby, right there by my side.”

Working 30 hours a week, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA, Lemon also served as vice president of scholarship for PTK, as a member of the Tidewater Gem and Mineral Society and the Virginia Beach Campus Geology Club. Nominated for the All USA Academic Team and the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship, Lemon plans to transfer to Colorado School of Mines this fall.

Lemon’s career goals include developing better technology to predict earthquakes and tsunamis and to ultimately save lives. “TCC has been the best college experience of my life. It’s such a giving place and certainly made my journey possible.”

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Natalie Powers
Student speaker runner-up

Natalie Powers' first experience with a traditional school began when she entered TCC two years ago. The second oldest in a family with 10 children, Powers was home-schooled through high school, often teaching herself tough subjects like algebra and chemistry. “I love my family and have enjoyed the closeness we share. We start each day having breakfast together and end it listening to my dad read aloud.”

Powers graduates with a 4.0 GPA and a liberal arts associate degree and plans to continue her education at Virginia Wesleyan College. “TCC’s a very smart way to start your college career. It’s been different, but in some ways easier with all of the resources and the professors there to help,” she says. “And I’ve appreciated being able to live at home for a little longer.”

While at TCC, Powers served as senator of the Portsmouth Campus Student Government Association, provided tutoring and guidance at the tutoring center and welcome desk, and wrote and edited articles for the student newspaper, the TCC Times. She’s also been active with her church, Colonial Baptist, providing hands-on help for their children’s programs.

A self-motivated student, with a thirst for knowledge, Powers plans to pursue a career doing translation work or teaching.

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Christy Robinson
Student speaker runner-up

Early in her career, Christy Robinson worked in a rehabilitation center and found her true calling. “I was working with a physical therapist who saw something in me, and urged me to go back to school. I enjoyed the work, but my life got in the way.”

Robinson, married for 10 years now, gave birth to a son and stopped working for several years to raise her child. “As soon as Nathan was ready for all-day school, I enrolled at TCC to become a physical therapist assistant." While studying for her degree and juggling home responsibilities, Robinson worked the overnight shift as a certified nurse aid in a nursing home in Hampton.

Active on campus, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Robinson served as treasurer of the PTA club, member of the American Physical Therapy Association and as the statewide representative for the Virginia Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference. A member of Langley Christian Church, Robinson also serves as a youth leader and as a member of the praise team.

Robinson notes that her time at TCC has been well spent. “The education has been top notch and the PTA program has trained me well for the work ahead,” she says. “Melanie Basinger (program director) takes a personal interest in all of her students and, as a skilled practitioner, has much to share.”

After graduating, Robinson will have her pick of jobs and plans to choose wisely. “I’m excited to be able to get out there and try my ideas with people and see them recover and gain strength.”

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Bonnie Walton
Student speaker runner-up

Bonnie Walton, an honor student who completed high school by age 15, began her quest for a college degree many times over the last 11 years. Soon after high school she enrolled at TCC, only to withdraw less than a year later. Family responsibilities put her dreams on hold and, by 16, she was working full time to support her immediate family.

Overcoming many obstacles including deaths in her family, injuries from a serious car accident and a divorce, Walton, now a single mother of two teens, finally reached her goal of earning an associate degree. “I knew the journey would be long. So many obstacles were in my path, but my vision of getting an education was always there.”

While at TCC, Walton worked part time for the Portsmouth Campus tutoring program and at the Welcome Center. She was a student representative for Legislative Day, speaking about the importance of community college to elected delegates. She also led campus tours for orientation days and moderated a civil rights presentation given by Marlene Randall, City Council member for Portsmouth. Walton, an active member of her church, credits God with her success.

The Women’s Center and caring faculty and staff including Marjorie Platt (now retired), Gwen Smith, Linda Shackelford and Elizabeth Lohman gave Walton needed support and mentoring, and that extra push to keep going. “The people at TCC always encouraged me to stay on track. I desperately wanted to set an example for my children and to be the first in my family to earn a degree.”

Walton plans to transfer to a four-year school and pursue a career as a motivational speaker and family consultant. “The sky is the limit. You may not get there right now, but I’m proof that good things come to those who wait and persevere.”

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