Profiles - About Alumni for September 2009

Featured Alum: Candi Carroll, 1999, Nursing

From Barbara Claybaugh, Alumni Outreach Director:

"I am very pleased to share this story from Candi Carroll. It is most inspirational and shows that 'If we have the desire we can conquer anything.'"

Barbara, here are some "fun facts" about me...

When I moved to Prescott from Phoenix in 1976 I can remember walking the downtown square watching all of the parties going on. This was a time when the square was closed off from traffic. I attending my ninth grade in what was called the "old Junior high". My father built the structural foundation of the "Ponderosa Plaza Mall" which is now only remnants of the Wal-Mart shopping center. I was never a popular person nor was involved in much. I graduated from Prescott High School and went on to the world of Cosmetology. I opened a small salon in Flagstaff which had four chairs, two nail technicians, tanning and a masseuse that came in once a week. Due to the economy and a failed marriage I returned back to Prescott. A couple of my patrons in my salon where nurses, and they got me interested in nursing. I loved to hear their stories, of triumphs and challenges at their work.

I decided to try my hand at healthcare. I started with getting my Medical Assistant via correspondence school. I obtained the certificate with honors, then went on to get my CNA. I loved being a CNA, however, I realized I wanted more so I enrolled in the Nursing program. Being a single momma with a new born baby and a 8 year old at home, I went back to school after more than 15 years of being away from the textbooks. This was a challenge for me, as I was never a great student in high school. I had to begin my education with all the beginning classes. I can remember my apartment plastered in flash cards to learn the nerves, bones and muscles of the body. My son was a great help to quiz me so that I could pass the next test. There were times when I felt I was choosing the wrong profession and wanted to quit, but I kept going. It took me 4.5 years to get my Associates in Nursing at Yavapai. I can remember the graduation and the feeling of completion and realizing that I met my goal of being a nurse.

It was not too much later that I felt I needed to do more than just being an associate, so I searched around for additional education that fit my schedule of being a mom, nurse and wife by that time. I found that the University of Phoenix gave me the flexibility I needed. I completed my Bachelors in Nursing in just a short time, but realized that this was not my final goal. I continued on to obtain my Masters in Health Administration. My husband feels I will eventually get my PhD, but I am not so sure I have the strength nor endurance at this time. I can remember sitting with the nursing students when I was in Yavapai, and we were all discussing where we wanted to go in our career. Each had their dream jobs, mine was to be in administration. Some of the students thought I was nuts. I never saw myself in the fast pace of the ER, or the demanding job of being a floor nurse. Although I did dabble in a variety of positions up to this time - such as a surgical nurse for a local ophthalmologist, a school nurse, a hospice nurse (which I loved), worked in dialysis (not my cup of tea) and Wellness Director for an assistant living facility my most rewarding job is where I work currently as a Clinical Service Manager of the Health Department.

Through my challenges both personally and academically, I have grown, and changed my outlook on life. I find it difficult to hear when people give excuses for not bettering themselves as individuals. If we have the desire we can conquer anything. My quote during my journey was:

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." — Wayne Dyer.

This gave me strength to understand that not everything will come easy and there is always a reason for the ending result whether positive or negative. In due time we learn from those outcomes and develop new strategies to overcome the next challenge that we are handed.

Well, Barbara.. I could go on and on and on about my life.. this is but a small snowflake in my life. I have to say I am pleased with my career change to be a nurse. Now I am working with my daughter to have her enrolled in Yavapai. I am sure she will develop a great foundation from her education that she gains from Yavapai College as I did.

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Alum Update: Terry Kassien, Baseball Team, 1978-79

Speaking to Alum Director Barbara Claybaugh: "Nice talking today as always. Yes, the 1978 Yavapai College Roughriders are getting together again to compete in the Over 50 Year Old Baseball World Series in Phoenix Oct 19th - 24th. We play 9 games in 6 days!! Yikes!!!! But the Old Guys from Prescott are working out and getting ready. We hope to compete but win or lose it's gonna be a blast.

We have 15 guys from the '78 team confirmed right now. Possibly 1 or 2 more might join the fun. I am missing the following players' information so if you have it I'd sure like to contact them. I'm missing the following players:

• Dave Witty
• John Olague- I believe he still lives in Prescott. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1976.
• Tim Ballard
• Omar Rodriquez
• Ken Solow
• Mike Ott

I plan to stop in Prescott with my 13 year old son sometime in the next 2 weeks. I'll give you a call once I firm up my plans."

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Robert De Bono, attended 1982, Associate of Arts

I graduated from Prescott High School in May of 1982. During my senior year I applied for a scholarship at YC and was very excited when I received a call from Dr. James Pence who at that time was Chair of the Honors Program. During that call he offered me a full scholarship on the condition that I graduated with an A.A. degree. I agreed and I began the daily commute from my parent’s home in Chino Valley to YC.

It was at YC that I had my most memorable professors. For example, in my Honor English classes, Dr. Pence and Dr. McBroom were awesome, they took a subject that for me wasn’t particularly interesting and made it exciting and challenging. It was also at YC that I took my first Principles of Accounting course from Tom Snavely who was also a local practitioner. The smaller classroom size and individual attention I received were very beneficial to my understanding of the subject. The Honors program was excellent and fond memories of the Honors “road trip” [that year it was focused on Native American art] have stayed with me my whole life. I would certainly recommend YC to anyone living in the area as it provides a great foundation of learning one can use to build upon.

Upon graduation, I attended NAU and received my Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree. I was fortunate and had several job opportunities, and I went to work for Arthur Andersen. This was a great experience as I was able to work on Wall Street and in Chicago. I also obtained my CPA license in the process.

I stayed in Public Accounting for a number of years, but then went to work in the private sector with American Express {where I have been for 15 years}. I now work in an area that has also interested me [Global Reporting] and I work and collaborate with a great team located throughout the world. However, every time I need to address the basic “debit and credits” I always think back to my first accounting course at YC.

In the News: Mariel Morris

As written up in The Daily Courier, Friday, July 31, 2009.

Engagement: Mariel Morris & Kenneth Stacy

Mariel Jesse Morris and Kenneth Troy Stacy, both of Prescott Valley, Ariz., announce their engagement.

Mariel is a graduate of Yavapai College and is employed at the Celtic Pub in Prescott. Kenneth, the son of Cherie and Tom Hatfield of Prescott Valley, graduated Chowchilla High School, California, in 1995 and is employed as a merchandiser with Pepsi.

A June 2010 wedding is planned in Nevada.

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