TCC Chronicle

Speaking out: Student speakers reflect on their time at TCC  

December 2006

Nicole Tatarian	Sarah Lupton

May 2007

Ahnivah Williams	Ariel Alger	Joseph Cook	Linda Hoffman	Tim Taylor

Nicole Tatarian

Student Speaker, December 2006

 

Nicole Tatarian got married right out of high school, giving little thought to college. “I never had any aspirations for a big career, plus I didn’t have the resources to pay for schooling,” she recalls.

Tatarian went to work in a job with little growth potential and after several years and the end of her marriage, she decided to make some changes. “When I became a single parent, and the sole provider for my child, I was suddenly motivated. With the encouragement of mentor and friend Carole Meola, Tatarian enrolled with TCC, taking one class to start. “Once I saw that I could be successful, I enrolled full time and even landed a job in the business office of the Chesapeake Campus.”

While at TCC, Tatarian became a member of Phi Theta Kappa and served as secretary of the Chesapeake Campus Student Government Association, spearheading community outreach. She organized the college’s United Way Day of Caring team and participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Graduating with an associate degree in social science, Tatarian hopes to someday be an attorney. She’ll pursue a degree in political science at Old Dominion University and prepare to attend Regent University Law School.

An active volunteer with the court system, Tatarian serves as a court appointed special advocate (CASA), representing the best interests of the abused and neglected children assigned to her. “I’ve had an insider’s look into the court system, through my family and my own proceedings. Through my CASA work, I know I make a difference, oftentimes keeping my ‘kids’ from slipping through the cracks.”

TCC is a family thing with Tatarian. Her sister is also a TCC graduate and her brother is currently enrolled. “It’s been tough juggling work, parenting and school, but it’s been worth it. I leave TCC having gained knowledge, life skills and the confidence to move forward.”

 

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Sarah Lupton

Student Speaker Runner-Up, December 2006

 

Home schooled through high school, Sarah Lupton was not ready to leave home and attend a university. “It was a big adjustment moving from one-on-one teaching to a classroom of 30-plus,” Lupton says.

A dual enrollment student during her high school years, Lupton graduated with an associate degree in business administration. While at TCC she became a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was listed on the national dean’s list with a 3.7 grade point average.

Lupton plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Old Dominion University and a master’s in marketing from the College of William and Mary. Ultimately she’d like to move north and do marketing for a major corporation in a New York City.

Lupton’s time at TCC included working at the Virginia Beach Counseling Center, helping students with registration and transfer issues. She also participated in a study abroad trip to Ireland, gaining valuable life skills, while observing a different way of life. She traveled to Richmond three times to represent the VCCS to elected officials. Active in her church, Lupton sings, works with children and visits the elderly at a local nursing home.

Raised on her family’s farm in Virginia Beach, Lupton has several siblings with TCC degrees, including her brother Everett, a law instructor at TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus. And her mother, Martha Lupton, is currently studying studio arts. 

“TCC gave me a great foundation. I’ve grown from having no idea what to do in life, to knowing exactly where I’m headed.”

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Ahnivah Williams

Student speaker, May 2007

 

Ahnivah Williams always knew that she wanted to pursue a college degree. But right after high school wasn’t the right timing for her; she bailed out and went to work for a community service agency in the small Georgia town where she was living. “It wasn’t until my family returned to the Hampton Roads area that I felt ready for college,” Williams explains. “I really love the area and was so impressed by the growth and development. Right away I wanted to go back to school and become part of the solution.”

Williams intends to become a city planner, working to build stable communities. She graduated this May with a liberal arts degree and will continue her education at the University of Virginia, majoring in urban and environmental planning. “I’ve always been interested in helping the homeless, by building strong communities with support networks, while protecting the environment. It’s a tall order, but one I’m driven to pursue.”

While at TCC Williams maintained a 3.8 grade point average, while working full time and taking classes. “TCC has been the best place for me because I had to overcome a math deficiency and help was available through the Bridges Learning Center. “It felt like I had a bad case of math anxiety – I could learn the material, but would become nervous when tested,” Williams says. Williams went on to get above average grades in all math subjects, and she even became a Supplemental Instructor for the Bridges program.

Williams’ volunteer activities include serving as ambassador for new and returning students, as a guest speaker for the Women’s Center and the Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony. Williams was featured in the student showcase at the Virginia Community College System conference, where she was also a speaker. She also volunteers with United Way Day of Caring, Norfolk Recycling Team, Bethel Church of Norfolk, and the TCC Jean and George Roper Theater. For these and other contributions, she was nominated for the Thomas Moss Scholarship.

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Ariel Alger

Student speaker runner-up, May 2007

 

Ariel Alger is a “Golden Reject” and she’s proud of it. As president of the Golden Reject Writers Group on the Chesapeake Campus, she works with other members and guest authors to hone her skill as a novelist and poet. “When I came to TCC I began studying information technology, then moved on to American Sign Language and finally social sciences,” Alger explains. “After taking my second English class, I finally found my life’s direction.” Alger will pursue a bachelor’s and master’s in English, with an emphasis in creative writing, from Old Dominion University and plans to teach the subject at the college level, while pursuing her writing.

Home schooled through high school, Alger found TCC a great place to start. “I was dual-enrolled while completing high school, and since my dad is a professor here, it was a natural fit,” Alger adds. “And it’s been great getting my feet wet before taking on a four-year school.

While at TCC Alger served as campus editor and staff writer for the TCC Times, and as a contributor to TCC’s Channel Marker and the Golden Reject’s first publication, Golden Bits and Rejected Pieces.

 

“Universities are so costly, and if you don’t know what you want to do, you can come here and figure it out, while getting your general studies completed.”

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Joe Cook

Student speaker runner-up, May 2007

 

As co-captain of TCC’s men’s basketball team, Joe Cook demonstrated his leadership abilities on the court and on campus. He represented the student body as chairman of student relations for the Portsmouth Campus Student Government Association, served as secretary for Beating the Odds, a male mentoring group working for student retention, and a representative on Virginia 21, Minority Affairs, Inter-Club Council and the Rotaract Club. An honor student and member of Phi Theta Kappa, Cook credits God for his life successes. “I try to put God first in everything I do,” says Cook. “It’s only through him that I am able to accomplish my goals and stay on track.”

Cook graduated with a general studies associate degree and plans to continue his education at Virginia Tech or Norfolk State with the hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster. “What happened at Tech in April was terrible, but it was great to see how the people there stuck together,” Cook adds. “It’s such a great school, and I feel well prepared to start my journey there.”

When advising friends on college Cook notes, “At TCC, everything is geared to help you succeed, both inside and outside of the classroom.  If you can’t go to a four-year school right away, it’s okay, maybe even a blessing, because at TCC you get to know your classmates and professors and gain much from those relationships.”

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Linda Hoffman

Student speaker runner-up, May 2007

 

After separating from her husband, Linda Hoffman needed to update her skills to bring in a better income. “I’d worked as a housekeeper for an apartment complex and later as the manager, but I wanted a different path,” Hoffman explains. “I decided that I needed a better education to improve my life and the lives of my children.”

Hoffman enrolled at TCC as an information technology major, but changed tracks after her mother became ill. “My mother had so many needs that were not being met, especially in the area of nutrition. I decided to learn more by taking a dietetics class and I was hooked,” Hoffman says. “I changed my major to dietetics, and during my time here the program faculty became mentors and friends, helping me manage my mother’s care, and my own fight with type II diabetes.

While at TCC, Hoffman completed a dietetics internship at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and an honor’s mentorship, where she helped develop curriculum for a sports nutrition program. She also shared her time with Meals on Wheels of Virginia Beach, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Women, Infants and Children in Chesapeake and Senior Services Community Center.

Hoffman graduated as a dietetics technician. “I want to practice elder care. I’m excited about this work because I’ve seen the need first-hand, and I know I can make a difference.”

Hoffman has reunited with her husband and crossed the stage at graduation with her 21-year-old daughter. “Even at my age, I’ve learned so much about setting priorities and meeting goals,” Hoffman adds. “My time here has enriched my life, and given me a new direction.”

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Tim Taylor

Student speaker runner-up, May 2007

 

A Portsmouth native, Tim Taylor graduated in the top of his class from Sweethaven Christian Academy. He made the switch to private school, when he felt his life veering off course. “I was in with the wrong crowd and felt like I had to make a major change to protect my future,” Taylor says.

He enrolled at TCC right after high school and began pursuing his general studies degree. “I had some financial constraints, so starting here just made sense,” Taylor says.

During his first month of classes, Taylor’s mom’s died, making the college transition difficult. “I grew up with my mom and grandmother, and they were such a great influence. Losing one of them, at such an early age, was very difficult,” Taylor adds.

While at TCC, Taylor worked in the campus library and served as chairman of internet and public relations for the Student Government Association on the Portsmouth Campus. He also participated in the United Way Day of Caring, the American Heart Walk, and was active in his church.

Taylor plans to transfer to Virginia Wesleyan College to study communications. He hopes to become a sports broadcaster or journalist. “I can’t say enough good things about TCC and its links to other colleges, here and across the state. A TCC degree holds weight and is your ticket to transfer almost anywhere.”

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