hoots and salutes - creighton...hoots and salutes april 2010 student support services congratulation...

Hoots and Salutes

April 2010 Student Support Services

Congratulation to Khloe Keeler who was s e l e c t e d a s a Decurion for Dr. Mary Longo.

Congratulation to Patrick Lam who was selected as Beadle.

Congratulation to Kathy Daotay who was selected as a Decurion for Brian Kokensparger.

Congratulation to Ashley Hauger was accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega and selected as a Beadle.

Congratulation to Kelsey Ham who was selected as Welcome Week Guide and was accepted as a Delta Zeta.

Congratulation to Yan Dan Chen who was selected as Welcome Week Guide and accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Congratulation to Ruth E l ias who was selected as Magis Ambassador.

Congratulation to Nhu Le was accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Congratulation to Samuel Phan was accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Congratulation to Mikhail Abad was accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Congratulation to Chanelle Ajimura was accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Britney Buder-Rencher received the 21st A n n u a l A f r i c a n American Leadership Award for the youth division.

Precious Sully e n g a g e d t o Rodney Nichols to be married July 10, 2010.

Congratulation to Cheree Hatfield who was accepted to Drake’s law school.

Congratulation to Lizette Orihuela who was selected as the Lambda Theta Nu member of the year!

Congratulations to Mary Roy for earning a paid HR internship with ConAgra for the summer. This is an eleven week program here in downtown Omaha.

Congratulations to Eden Chik who was a d m i t t e d t o C r e i g h t o n ’ s Pharmacy School.

Congratulations to Vincent Ko who was a d m i t t e d t o C r e i g h t o n ’ s Pharmacy School.

Congratulations to Jimmy Tran who was a c c e p t e d t o George Mason U n i v e r s i t y STEP Summer 2010 Program. He was also accepted into APO-Alpha Phi Omega.

Congratulation to Steele Valenzuela who was selected as a Decurion for Dr. Michel Mallenby.

Congratulation to Richard Ho who was selected as a Decurion for Dr. Raymond Bucko.

Congratulation to Marissa Begay who was selected as a Decurion for Dr. Rudi Mitchell.

Congratulation to Amber Bennett who was selected as a Decurion for Dr. Jeanne Schuler.

Enjoying lunch in SSS.

Student Support Services Spotlight on Alex Bell By Samuel Phan

Alex smiling cheerfully for the camera!

leadership skills. Alex has received several awards including the prestigious Creighton’s Ignatius Service and Leadership scholarship.

Alex’s greatest achievement so far is starting a business. The management skills she gained from past leadership positions have proven to be a major contribution toward her ultimate goal of opening a business. Her enthusiasm and strong beliefs in beginning small and working her way up will help her salon and spa succeed. Alex officially started J a n u a r y 2 0 1 0 d o i n g manicures and pedicures from home. At this time, she has a steady clientele and is gaining

precious experience that will help her establish a successful future in the salon and spa field.

A l e x c r e d i t s h e r accomplishments to the one special person she looks up to, her mother, who she defines as the d e f i n i t i o n o f extraordinary . A lex m o t h e r i s a n inspirational person and an encouraging figure in her life. She believes that her mother is the

stronger, most hard working, and determined woman she knows. “Every success I achieve in life I owe to God and to her. She’s overcome so many obstacles and is always there whenever I need her. Words can’t describe how much she means to me. I’m truly blessed to know her, let alone be her daughter.”

Even though she is only 22, Alex says she still has a lot to learn but tries to work hard and learn as much as she can. Alex offers these encouraging words:

“To whom much is given, much is required.”

Alexandria Lynn Bell is a dedicated student and outgoing senior at Creighton University.

Following her mother’s footsteps, Alex came to Creighton to pursue her career interest in opening her own salon and spa. She bel ieves that Creighton was a natural choice since her mother earned two degrees here. Alex loves the smaller class sizes as CU because it makes her feel comfortable in her learning experience.

She joined SSS because of the positive influence and support the staff offers. In her four years in the program, Alex has benefited from academic support, financial support, and social interactions. The guidance and tutors she received has contributed to her success in school.

Alex has served as the secretary for the Collegiate E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p Organization and as a Reservations Assistant for the Skutt and Harper Student Centers, and for her excellent

Audri looking fashionable!

Students cleaning up trash in the cold wet snow during the South Dakota Spring Break Immersion Trip.

Khloe Keeler working on her IHS Scholarship application.

Peter sad while studying.

Student Support Services

SNOW SNOW SNOW, BRING IT ON!

Angel laying in the snow

SNOW ANGEL!!

Spotlight on Tai Hoang by Samuel Phan

Tai poses intensely!

an SSS member he can work one on one with the tutors and profited from the many other utilities the program offers. Tai says he has benefited from SSS because he gets the help he needs while having fun through events and activities.

There are many extraordinary things about Tai. As a personal friend of Tai, I am honored to be a buddy of his. I have never met a person so courteous and gracious as he is. He greets everyone he sees with a big attractive smile and holds the door open for anyone. His independent personality is one of a kind because he does not rely on others but tries his best to a c c o m p l i s h s o m e t h i n g difficult. One of the most unique characteristic about Tai is his well-define body. At least three times a week Tai “hits the gym” to maintain his muscular physique Tai trains his body as hard as his works his mind. He is healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Tai demonstrates incredible leadership and has a genuine

concern for others. Since enrolling at Creighton, Tai became an active member of the Pre-Pharmacy Club, Peer 2 Peer, Creighton University Latino Student Association, a n d A s i a n S t u d e n t Association.

He is committed to making positive change in and outside of Creighton. Tai’s dedicated to giving back is evidenced by his involvement in service projects. He participated in the fall Gates Millennium Scholarship Immersion Trip to South Dakota and the CCSJ Spring Break Service trip to OK. He volunteered at the Fountain V i e w S e n i o r L i v i n g Community and currently at the Creighton Medical Center Pharmacy Department. To end this interview Tai wants to leave his fellow acquaintances several pieces of advice: “Don’t just live for yourself, think of others” and “There’s nothing that you cannot do, just set your mind to it and you will get it”

Tai Hoang is a kind, dedicated and muscular freshman at Creighton University. From Tan Phu Vietnam, Tai has only been in America for approximately six y e a r s , b u t h e h a s accomplished a great deal.

As a studious student he graduated from Papillion High school with a GPA of 3.8 and earned the prestigious G a t e s M i l l e n n i u m Scholarship as well as the Creighton Academic awards. He selected Creighton University because it is in close proximity to his family. He believes Creighton is a great school and enjoys the sociable atmosphere of the campus and peop le . Creighton also has an excellent pharmacy program and as a pre-pharmacy student Tai hopes he can pursue his dream job as a pharmacist.

Tai joined SSS because the program is helpful in his academics and allows him to build a stronger relationship with students and staff. As

Tai giving us a great smile

Tai doing the crane!

Students meeting with the Winnebago Tribal Council during the Winnebago Spring Break Immersion Trip.


Spotlight on Alicia Amedee By Le Bree Perry

meet new people. Alicia says that SSS has helped her so, and it is one of the reasons she is still here at Creighton.

Alicia says that Dr. Mallenby is her favorite professor because she is very understanding and a great teacher. Her favorite thing about college is the networking and volunteer opportunities.

Alicia is a Fraser Stryker Diversity Scholar, an active member of CUASA, and she performed in CUASA’s annual Soul Food Dinner. She has a beautiful signing voice. She is also a member of the Hope Apostolic Temple.

Alicia will soon be raising her first child. She is expecting a son on May 10th and selected the name Aiden for him. This summer she will be getting acquainted with being a new

mother and interning at Fraser Stryker Law Firm.

Alicia’s favorite type of music is R&B. If Alicia won the lottery, she would pay her Creighton tuition and buy all she needs for her baby. If Alicia was given the opportunity to travel back in time, she said she would not because she thinks she would screw up the universe.

When asked is she could be any superhero, Alicia said she would be Super Woman because she is strong and independent. Alicia’s advice to others is:

“No matter what you ’ re go ing through now just remember that it will all be fine soon enough.”

Alicia Amedee is a first year student at Creighton University. She is in the College of Business currently without a specific major and plans to become an attorney.

Alicia is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her family is a large southern family. They moved to Omaha when she was fourteen-years-old and she graduated from Northwest High School in Omaha. Alicia says that she attends Creighton because she knew this is where she would receive the most extensive education.

She joined SSS for the benefits and help she receives for her education. Her favorite activities in SSS are the different cultural events because it offers a chance to branch out and

Baby Aiden expected on May 10th (Alicia’s son).

Spotlight on Chris Randall by Michelle Wang believes that there should be at least someone with qualifications to help students who are struggling.

Randall f inds teaching philosophy fulfilling because philosophy is not a practice – it’s a way of thinking. When he is tutoring the students, he is not helping them memorize random facts, but rather, he is helping them develop critical thinking – something they can use for the rest of their lives.

For Randall, the most memorable experience of being an SI Leader is not tutoring students about philosophy but, getting to

k n o w t h e s t u d e n t s themselves. He says that he enjoys it when he sees and greets his students on Skinner Mall. He finds it exhilarating to know new people and see them as he walks around campus.

What does it take to become an SI Leader? Aside from a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, Chris Randall says being a successful SI Leader takes passion. Randall says that “If you want to be a SI Leader, learn everything you can and have a passion for teaching! A passion for learning and teaching is critical for being a SI Leader!”

What is an SI Leader? A Supplement Instructor (SI) Leader is a tutor for students in the Student Support Services. They tutor students in a specific class and work with the class instructor as well.

What is it like to be a SI Leader? We asked Chris Randall, an SI Leader for philosophy. Randall wanted to become an SI Leader because he wanted to use his knowledge and love of philosophy to guide students.

Chris understands that sometimes philosophy can be a stressful subject, so he

Alicia shows off her beautiful smile

Chris Randall smiling!

Alicia enjoying a delicious dessert.


Spring break with a purpose By Jason Nguyen My immersion trip to the Winnebago Reservation was quite an experience. I was able to learn many things a book or a classroom would never teach me. I interacted one-on-one with students who lived on the reservation and gained a better view of their lives on the reservation. Let’s just say it was not what I expected.

The school was welcoming to us and grateful for our assistance. The students were bright but seemed to need more tutoring resources and exposure to college and career opportunities. The school did not seem to have the resources necessary to support their preparation for college and career. The students and community had challenges we do not see as vividly in a city like Omaha that has so many support programs and resources.

In addition to working in the school, we were assigned community service duties as part of our immersion trip. As nursing students, Angel and I were assigned to work with a nurse at the Winnebago Indian Health Services Hospital. Michelle Wang volunteered to help as well because she has hospital experience.

The project we were assigned to was designed to educate the people on the reservation about diabetes. Nurse Michelle Smith told us this was an important project because about 30% of natives on the reservation had diabetes, and it was expected to increase. Our project involved creating a poster with actual beverages to illustrate a presentation by a nutritionist about the staggering amount of sugar in a single can of soda or a bottle of juice. We found inspiration to help educate the people of Winnebago about this horrible disease.

Our first task was to find out what everyone was drinking, so the poster would have more impact. So we set off to a local convenient store. There we surveyed customers on what they liked to drink and what their kids drank as well. We even stopped by a local food store where most of the families on the reservation

shopped. Some of the most common beverages were Bug Juice, Monster, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Starbuck Coffee, and grape juice. After we were done, we bought the beverages and calculated how many teaspoons of sugar were in each container.

The next day, Nurse Michelle Smith gave us ten pounds of sugar. We put the sugar in a cup to display (around 78 teaspoons of sugar for every 64 oz) how much sugar was in each drink container. We found that grape juice had the most sugar. We were amazed because we all thought that grape juice would be the healthiest. We calculated and displayed how much sugar would be consumed if a person drank the same beverage every day for a month. The amount was so large we had to put it in a large zip-lock bag (about 9 cups of sugar if they were to drink a Monster everyday for a month). We actually ran out of sugar because the amounts were too great.

We hope that this project will help inform the public of the fast growing disease on the reservation and make them think twice before they drink these high sugar beverages.

Josh’s completed Bluejay inspired dream catcher.

Jason Nguyen making a dream catcher.

Angel with her dream catcher

students to a better future and a better life. We stayed with the students Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We talked to the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors every day about how to apply for scholarships, shared our experiences in college, and how we overcame our obstacles in college. At first the students were shy about asking us questions, but they started to open up when they felt comfortable around us. We stayed in the library between our co l lege presentations to help the s t u d e n t s w i t h t h e i r homework and scholarship essays. Some of the high school students were reluctant to get help from us, but the tension eased away after we poured our hard work into helping them.

The students soon turned super friendly, and we felt a friendship bond form quickly. On the last day, they said good bye to us and hugged us with such warm arms. They even asked for our facebook emails, so we could keep in touch. I am looking forward to seeing them again at the Creighton Pow Wow. Overall, I learned so much in a short time during this Spring’s Break Service Trip. I made new friends in Winnebago, and we definitely left a good impression and had significant impact on the students future goals. I feel we and the high school students made a positive impact on each other.

Adrian asked, “How many of you guys want to go to college?” About fifteen students were in the class room, but only three hands were raised. This was really a sad image to all of us. The students had not considered college part of their future. Later, Jason asked, “What are your future goals?” The majority of them answered, “I don’t know “or” I don’t have one.” Steele asked, “How many of you guys want to stay on the reservation?” Only one hand was raised. Many of the students wanted to leave the reservation, but they were not sure what to do and how to make a better future for themselves by setting goals. This made us realize how important it was for us to be there to encourage them to consider higher education.

We were so happy when one of the students said, “My goal is to graduate from high school.” This is the first step to accessing college. Having a goal in mind will lead the

Many Creighton students enjoyed their spring break somewhere warm and tropical. Seven students from Student Support Services decided to be different and travel to a place that was cold and rainy to do service in a reservation community only one-and-half hours away, called Winnebago. This trip includes Jason Nguyen, Adrian Sandoval, Josh Phelps, Michelle Wang, Rachel Wang, Steele Venezuela, and me.

We arrived on Sunday evening and were welcomed by John Blackhawk the council chairman, Louis La Rose the former tribe chairman, and Joi Long the executive assistance. We were treated to a delicious dinner, Indian Tacos. I loved it so much I went back for seconds and thirds.

We checked in the hotel around 8:00 p.m. and we decided to take a trip to Walmart for our midnight snacks. We had to wake up everyday at 6:30 a.m. and be ready for our trip to the public school. The Winnebago public school is different from ours. The grades consist of K-12. Imagine you have to attend just one school from kindergarten until you’re graduating I know I would go “cuckoo.”

All of us who came on this trip with different mind sets but with one primary goal: To encourage the Native high school students to go to college and not to give up on their dreams. I remember in one of the student’s classes,

Student Support Services Winnebago High School Experience By Angel Le

The group playing with their food!

The group doing ice breakers.

The Winnebago group!

Rachel helping a gates student

The Wang sisters posing with ___


Broadway musical The Color Purple by Alicia Amedee The start of the show drew us in and people were glued to their seats. I only moved when it was restroom time. The elegance of the dancers and the angelic voices moved me and played a major role in this performance. The pleasing effect, its colorfulness and, more important ly , the emotions of the two sisters in the story kept the whole audience engaged.

The play was a masterpiece, a whirl wind of emotions. Celie, raped by her stepfather since the age of twelve, mothered two children who were taken away at birth. At fourteen, she was sold to a horrible man, Mister, who beat her and treated her worse than dirt. Her husband/master was actually infatuated with Celie’s younger sister, Nettie. Nettie grew up and became a school teacher who traveled to Africa

as a missionary with a wonderful family from the church, who had in fact adopted both of Celie’s children, Adam and Olivia.

Many miraculous events took p lace throughout th is marvelous play. The ending of this tale was delightful and more than amazing due to the story line. My journey ended right back on the shuttle on my way back to Creighton. One difference here is that I left knowing that a beautiful story was told through amazing performances, and I was able to witness it. If it were to come to town again, I would definitely welcome the opportunity experience it again. I would also advise you to do the same. So for your own sake, don’t miss out on any other cultural events because you never know what magical experience awaits.

Courtesy of the Arts Access C o m m u n i t y P a r t n e r s program on March 17th, 2010 accompanied by several other SSS students, we took a shuttle to the Holland Center in downtown Omaha. Before stepping in to this magnificent theater, I took a deep breathe of fresh Omaha air. Ticket in hand, I boldly strolled into the Holland Center to Section 1 row R seat 23. Time passed ever so slowly, as I sat waiting for the show to begin. The Color Purple! No one knew what to expect before it started, but from start to finish it was amazing.

T h e r e w e r e m a n y performers who happily graced us with their presence. There were many in the audience and the atmosphere was engaging.

Steele’s perfect dream catcher!

Michelle paying close attention to Adrian’s project.

Rachel’s beautifully crafted dream catcher!

Some of the SSS students attending the Color Purple

Feleshia and Khloe at the lunch with Father Schlegel.


Jamillah and LeBree at Big 12.

BIG XII Leadership Conference by LeBree Perry

opened my eyes to many issues that we face every day on our college campuses. I learned so much from the speakers and the different workshops; I feel this is an opportunity that if given no one should ever pass up.”

Sophomore Antwonette Hobbs says “The 2010 Big XII Leadership conference was a v e r y r e w a r d i n g a n d educational experience. I learned how to not only apply the characteristics and skills of a leader as it pertains to me academically, but also to apply it in my personal everyday l ife. Big XII surrounded me with a group of people who were just like me, and because they were African American, they shared more of the same experiences as me. I came out of this conference with more confidence in myself, my culture, and my team. I also left with a mindset to change the way I handled my education. I was taught that many before me fought for the

right to an education; many died for that right, so how dare I not do the absolute best I can and treat it as I should. Big XII was an overall great cultural and academic experience that I would highly recommend to any person looking to better themselves.”

According to first year student Jamillah Hinson “I really enjoyed seeing so many young black students that care about education, their future, and the future of the nation and interested in what they could do to better our tomorrow.”

Brianna Burton, “The Big XII conference was a great opportunity for me, and I'm glad I took advantage of it. There is so much that I learned whether it was about leadership, living on a predominately white campus, and even relationships. This experience has made me a much more confident as an African American student and future leader.”

On February 25, 2010, ten members of Creighton University African-American Student Association (CUASA) took off for Austin, Texas, for the 2010 Big XII Leadership Conference. The CUSASA members who are also part of SSS include, Amber Bennett, Jamillah Hinson, Antwonette Hobbes and me ( L e B r e e P e r r y ) . T h e conference was held at University of Texas at Austin. The Ten students and their Moderator made the fourteen hour drive from Omaha to Austin.

The conference brought together students from many colleges in the midwest. The C o n f e r e n c e i n c l u d e d engaging keynote speakers, workshops to help students develop further leadership skills for their Black student governments and forums. Two notable keynote speakers were Letoya Luckett of Destiny’s Child a n d B a k a r i S e l l e r s democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Below outlines what I and two other SSS student who attended the conference had to say about the wonderful opportunity they experienced. Overall, the conference helped all of the students develop and enhance their leadership skills.

As a participant I felt “The Big XII Leadership Conference was an amazing opportunity that I am so happy I got the chance to experience. It

Jamillah and Amber serving.

Antwonette at the Big 12.

Le Bree and Amber at Big 12.

“Education is a companion which no future can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate it and no nepotism can enslave.”

Ropo Oguntimehin

SSS is one of the five federally funded TRIO programs at Creighton University under the Department of Educational Opportunity Programs. SSS is grant funded through the Department of Education to provide comprehensive services to help students achieve a successful college experience by increasing academic performance, retention, and graduation rates. SSS also works to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of economically disadvantaged students, first generation students, and students with disabilities. The strength of the SSS program is providing comprehensive support to eligible students at Creighton University who have the ability and desire to succeed at Creighton University but would benefit from additional advocacy, academic, personal, financial, and career support. SSS is a resource that provides personalized and comprehensive support services for eligible participants to help them achieve their full potential.

Student Support Services Creighton University 2500 California Plaza Mike and Josie Harper Center Suite 4008 Omaha, Nebraska 68178

Phone: 402-280-2749 Fax: 402-280-5579 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www2.creighton.edu/eop/studentsupportservices/

Counselor’s Corner with Karen Thurber

Karen Thurber

SSS Assistant Director and RSP200 Advisor

Harper Room 4017

Phone: 402-280-3007

Email: [email protected]

The FAFSA has to be done by June 30th, but financial aid is a first come, first serve basis, so if you wait to do the FAFSA, you may not be guaranteed the same financial aid package as last year. Please complete it ASAP.

The remaining workshops are:

Thurs., April 20th, Giving tours to 4th graders

Sat., April 17th, Creighton Clean Up

Wed., April 21st Potluck

Fri., April 23rd, All-American Fanfare

Fri., April 30th, Motown Tribute Good Luck with finals!!

Congratulations to all the seniors, we wish you luck. I will miss you very, very, very much. Please attend the recognition ceremony, Thursday, April 15th. Please RSVP me or Sandy.

Registration is this month. 18 students have holds due to tuition, shots or library books. Please check with the right depart to clear the hold b e f o r e r e g i s t e r i n g . We have 50 students done with their requirements. Please get your five r e q u i r e m e n t s d o n e a n d sign your name in the book on Sandy’s desk.

Sandy’s desk. Letters went out the students who are done with requirements and letters went out to students to state what need to be c o m p l e t e d .

hoots and salutes - creighton...hoots and salutes april 2010 student support services congratulation...

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