Profiles - About Alumni for July 2009

Featured: The Alumni Outreach at the Saturday Farmers Market

From Barbara Claybaugh, Outreach Director

"On many Saturdays you will find alumni volunteers greeting folks at the Prescott Farmer's Market. It's been a wonderful way to reach out to let the community know about our activities. So - next time you're on campus to pick up fresh AZ products, look for us."

Also featuring Valerie Stringer, Associate Arts 1972-74

I am a Realtor in Prescott with Keller-Williams and have lived here permanently since 1980. My late husband Roy and I raised two great children, Royce, 28, married with one baby boy, and Raquel, currently entering Vanderbilt Law School. I am chairman of the Yavapai College Alumni Outreach Board and recently selected to the Yavapai College Foundation Board.

I had the special blessing of meeting my husband, Roy Stringer, at Yavapai College. We were happily married for 31 1/2 years, until last year in February of 2008 he went to be with the Lord. I have special memories of my friends also meeting their future husbands to ball players while at Yavapai College in those years. And all of us did manage to get degrees from YC.

Dr. Koch and Mr. Dickey were always positive and fun in reaching out to the students.

Yavapai College holds many wonderful memories for me and I made lasting friendships that I continue to enjoy. It is with great pleasure that I have had the opportunity to come back and serve as Chairman of the Alumni Outreach Board, and the Yavapai College Foundation Board to enhance the depth of Yavapai College in the community.

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Alum Update: Betty Jean Lane, attended 1974-75; Fine Arts

BJ now lives in Duarte California, but her father still lives in Prescott. (See our profile of her in the September 2008 issue)

Here's a look at her latest artwork in a show titled "Creating From the Heart", displayed at the Los Angeles County Library, San Dimas Branch, through Friday, July 31.

The show features an eclectic collection of original drawings, mixed medium, watercolor and oil paintings. Included are portraits, landscapes and artwork inspired by Southern California.

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In the News: 2009 Graduates from YC's Paramedic Program

As written up in The Daily Courier, Saturday, June 06, 2009.

Eight LifeLine Ambulance team members recently graduated from the paramedic program at Yavapai College, with six taking and passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialing exam. The six new paramedics are Wyatt Bramble, Corey Noeldner, Troy Lemmon, Brett Poliakon, Jessie Gillihan and Jim Gillihan.

Along with course work, paramedic students are required to spend between 12 hours each week in a clinical setting to practice their skills. The classes themselves involved written and practical testing.

For more information, visit the LifeLine Ambulance website at www.lifelineaz.com.

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In the News: Dusty Brown, 2000; Kyle Blanks, 2005

Blanks and Brown Get the Call to 'The Show'

Pridie also currently at the big league level

Left, Dusty Brown, Bradshaw Mountain grad and former Yavapai College player. As written up in The Daily Courier, Sunday, June 21, 2009.

It's been a good week for local baseball products.

First, Yavapai College grad Kole Calhoun had a monster showing at the College World Series for Arizona State. Then Prescott High School grad Jason Pridie was recalled to the Minnesota Twins after appearing in 10 games last year at the big league level. And by the end of the weekend, two more players who used to tear up local diamonds were at "The Show" as well.

Former Roughrider Kyle Blanks got the call to join the San Diego Padres from triple-A on Friday, made his debut that night and collected his first hit in the major leagues on Saturday. And on Sunday, Dusty Brown, another former Yavapai star and the Boston Red Sox called up the Bradshaw Mountain High School grad.

Brown did not appear in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Braves at Fenway Park. He took the roster spot of pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who went on the disabled list.

Brown celebrated his 27th birthday on Friday. He was a 35th round draft choice of Boston from Yavapai College in 2000. Over the years he has collected honors in the minors such as Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Month, Offensive Player of the Month and was an Arizona Fall League Rising Star in 2007. He was hitting .239 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 47 games this year at triple-A Pawtucket before getting the call. He hit .290 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs last season in 84 games at the highest minor league level.

Soxprospects.com calls Brown "an excellent defensive catcher with an exceptionally strong arm" and says he has the makings of a great backup catcher at the MLB level with a chance to start at some point.

This first stint in the majors for Brown may not last long if the Red Sox send him back to triple-A when they take John Smoltz off the DL to pitch for Matsuzaka. But Blanks may be up for a while.

Blanks, pictured at left, 22, is regarded as the Padres' top hitting prospect. He is a natural first baseman but has transitioned to left field with superstar Adrian Gonzalez manning first for the Padres.

An article on bleacherreport.com this weekend was titled "Now Playing Power Forward For The San Diego Padres, Kyle Blanks..." That is because Blanks is listed at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds.

Some of Blanks' homers at Yavapai College are legendary. He was a 2004 42nd round draft pick of the Padres. He hit .325 with 20 homers and 107 RBIs in 132 games last season at Double-A. This year in triple-A he was hitting .283 with 12 long balls and 38 RBIs in 66 games at Portland in the Pacific Coast League.

Blanks pinch hit Friday night against Oakland and struck out looking. He went 1-for-3 on Saturday with a start in left field, collecting a single in the sixth inning. And on Sunday, he went 0-for-2 with a walk and run scored in a 4-1 San Diego win.

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