If you plan to Complete your Degree/Certificate this summer, you MUST go through Graduation Advising by June 30. http://ow.ly/i/kcQlT
Author: NVC Public Relations
NVC Grads Get Published in Research Magazines
Former Northwest Vista College students and recent UTSA graduates are making waves in the research field.
Andre Childs was recently published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy and Jay Giuliani authored an article that was published in the Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry.
“Attending Northwest Vista allowed me to expand my horizons and embrace all that Northwest Vista College had to offer,” Andre said. “
Qiaoying Zhou, Ph.D, NVC Engineering coordinator, who previously taught both Andre and Jay, said getting published so young in their academic careers is an achievement.
“It is very exciting to have a publication as an undergraduate student,” she said. “Their achievement in the research arena shows students don’t have to go to Ivy League institutions just to get noticed. It can happen too at Vista!”
Just three years ago, Jay and former NVC student Chris Salinas traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive a National Science Foundation Student Award of Excellence. Chris Salinas and Jay were just two out of 50 students nationwide that were selected for this award in 2013.
Jay said attending NVC definitely gave him the boost that he needed.
“Dr. Zhou and NVC’s STEM programs gave me a broad introduction to the various topics in cutting-edge technology which was instrumental in helping me open doors that I believe would have otherwise been difficult to open,” Jay added. “I am now doing my PhD studies in physics at UTSA and I credit NVC for giving me a good start on this journey.”
To learn more about NVC’s science programs, go here.
NVC Runners Have Good Showing
The Northwest Vista College Distance Team had an awesome showing at the Northside Education Foundation 5K held at Sea World on May 8.
The ladies had a fantastic race day, with every member placing in the top 3 in their age group. The first runner in for the ladies was Karla Presa. She was the 2nd overall female & the first in the 15-19 age category. She ran a personal best of 19:26 for the 5K. In the 20-24 age category, the Wildcats swept the field. Placing first in the age division was Vienna Garcia, second place was Lauraly Wade and third was Esther Lucio.
The boys also ran really well. Adam Soto was the first male for the team. He came in 1st in the 20-24 age group, and right on his shoulder was Javier Ramirez, placing 2nd. Robert Dreamkowski was 4th in this age division and not far behind was Gilbert Rodriguez placing 8th. Aaron Beattie had an excellent run and was just one place out of placing 4th in the 15-19 age category. This was a tough category with the top two winning the overall male race.
The team has one more race, held at Texas A&M San Antonio, at the end of the month before they break for the summer.
NVC Students Shine at Music Competition
NVC is Super Proud of its students who competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing on April 9 at UTSA.
Silmar Bonilla, Alisa Cotto, Christian Cruz, Elsa Gonzalez, April Rodriguez, and Annabella Vega worked extra hours of lessons starting in February and mastered audition pieces through this semester for this competition.
Dr. Minkyung Lee, NVC voice/choir instructor, served as a judge for both premier and final round for this audition, and she added her students had a great experience from meeting 351 singers in South Texas District.
The semifinalists were: Silmar Bonilla in musical theatre division and April Rodriguez in classical female division for outstanding scores. The finalist was Christian Cruz, who made 2nd place in classical male division. All other NVC contestants scored 85-89 average.
Dr. Lee said “thank you to the fabulous Hanna Lee for collaborating so expertly at the piano and your professionalism to visit us from Austin to rehearse with all the students and even sending recordings for the audition pieces.
… Congrats to all my students for singing at NATS and shining Northwest Vista College’s music department.”
Depending on Your Instructors
“Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.” –Solomon Ortiz
Whether or not you may believe it, but having support from your instructors really does change your outlook on school. I don’t mean when they cut you slack, give you an A just because, or allow you to miss days; no, this does not help. However, if you are a student who is really trying your hardest and really want to make something of yourself, some instructors will provide you the ability to move toward your goals even if they do not make it known.
I say this because it has happened to me more than once. I must say it was a shock to me at first because I never paid much attention to my instructors when I first started college, I just wanted to pass the class and move on. But sometimes I would try to find a way to connect with my instructors and see them as someone who used to be in my shoes. One of my instructors once said, “I used to eat Top Ramen too!” That was hilarious to me because we have all been there. This is a prime example that before they were teaching the class, they were attending class.
I supposed over the years, I became more mature, because I was able to see them as someone trying to help my future rather than someone making my life miserable with homework. I never took the time out until recently to appreciate the work they put in for me to get where I am today. The instructors that I had from various subjects have made a positive impact on me so much that I decided to change schools and my major because I knew they were leading me in the right direction.
Some students may feel as if they are here every day on campus to fend for themselves. Your instructors are here for a reason, as much as you depend on your scientific calculator in that overwhelming math class, you should be able to depend on your instructor. Not for an easy way out of course, but to guide you in the right direction. All you have to do is ask, they will have the answers or will try to help you find them.
By NVC Student Traishelle Armstrong
Busy Weekend for Vista Runners
The Northwest Vista Distance Team had a busy but successful weekend as several runners competed at the University of the Incarnate Word track meet.
Javier Ramirez got things going for the team running the 1500. He had an amazing finish, showing tremendous guts – starting his sprint at the 300 & keeping it through the end, passing up at least 5 runners at the end. He improved his time by 20 seconds, running a 4:37.
Adam Soto and team captain,Aaron Beattie, were next competing in the 5000 race. Adam came in just under 19 minutes and Aaron followed closely behind. Micah Florence finished the 800 in 2:16 and the 400 in 56.23. Aaron ran both 5000 and 800 to get some extra training in. Robert Dreamkowski ran in his very first track meet, competing in the 100. He finished with a time of 12.56.
The team had three runners compete in the Carnival of Venice 5K night run. It was an interesting experience running at night with headlamps and flashlights but all the athletes said they had a lot of fun, even though their times were slower then normal. All three runners came in first in their age group. Esther Lucio finished first in the women’s under 20 age group, team captain, Vienna Garcia, finished first in the women’s 20-25 age category and Gilbert Rodriguez finished first in the men’s 20-25 age category.
The team will compete this weekend at the Fiesta Mission 5K/10K run in downtown San Antonio. They will take a little break before their last race in May.
My life as a College Student
“When you get to the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Franklin Roosevelt
I starting going to college in 2008 but have only been really serious about it since 2014. I feel like I have been going to school forever and for what? My first major was Early Childhood Education because I had worked with children all my life. I believed that was what I was meant to do. Wrong!
So I changed my major to Web Development. I thought this was it because I liked working with computers and figuring things out most people couldn’t, so I studied that for a few semesters, but I wasn’t really feeling it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the things I was going to school for, and I still do, but I just didn’t seem to get it. I took a lot of online classes since I was a young parent and trying to juggle work at the same time. Trying to study alone was weighing me down. My grades were up and down and I just didn’t think I was getting anywhere. So I took a break. A nice good one.
I started off strong when I came back to school in 2014, I had no choice. I was on academic probation and I had to pay for those classes. No way was I going to waste my money! I passed those classes and I was ready for the next semester. This time I was going to try on-campus classes and the major I declared was Digital Media. I had so much fun, I felt like I was on the right track. I had wonderful instructors and people around me that supported me. I even got straight A’s.
Since then, I am back to taking online classes, but I am still working just as hard! Sometimes I do procrastinate and even at times forget a due date for an assignment, but I am staying positive. My major is still the same and I can’t wait to finish.
No matter how long you have been going to school, or how many times you have changed your major, keep pushing! Your future self will thank you once you have reached your goal.
By NVC Student Traishelle Armstrong
Tips to Save Money
Saving money can be a drag and a very hard decision for most young college students.
I have had plenty of experience when it came to saving up money and only buying what is necessary at the moment. Here are three ways you can save some money and have extra for when you need it.
Home Cooked Meals
I am sure we all have a friend who wants to go out to eat like every day right? Well don’t follow that trend, home cooked meals are way cheaper and they can feed you for longer than just one set meal. The price for an 8-pieces of pork chops is less money than a combo meal at Mc Donald’s.
Start a savings account
If you have a job while taking some classes at a university or community college, you should start a savings account so you don’t spend all your money too fast or lose it. Money goes fast when you are in college – food, clothes, and video games burn a hole in your pocket really fast! Putting $50 away every check can help you if you break your phone, lose an expensive book, or face an emergency.
Do not buy cable
From my very own experience, do not buy cable. It is a waste of at least $120 every month. Think about it, we spend most of our time on Netflix or Amazon, right? Online streaming is the new wave, and you can find all your favorite shows online. The extra money you have from not paying for cable can go to a new laptop or on a cool spring break vacation.
Written by NVC Student Erik Providence
NVC Cross Country Team Perform Well at HEB Run
The Northwest Vista Cross Country Team had a great showing at the HEB Alamo RunFest on Feb. 20.
We had 4 runners in the half marathon. The first finisher for the Vista Wildcats was Rhea Migdalski coming in 2nd in her age group & 79th overall with a time of 1:46:04. Aaron Beattie followed closely behind with a time of 1:47:51, placing him 2nd in his age group. Vienna Garcia, also received a medal placing third in her age group, finishing with a time of 1:47:54. Rounding out the half marathoners, was Lauraly Wade finishing right at 2 hours. She finished 6th in her age group.
The Wildcat 5kers also did great! Finishing first for Northwest Vista was Micah Florence with a time of 19:53. He placed first in his age group & 7th overall. Adam Soto was next finishing 3rd in his age group with a time of 20:28. Right on his heels was our first female finisher Karla Presa. She was the first overall female, first in her age group & 12th overall male and females. She finished with a time of 20:29. Hector Sandival finished with a time of 21:43, placing him 4th in his age group. New comers Rober Dreamkowski & Esther Lucio also ran great times finishing in 26:55 & 27:56 respectively.
NVC Cross Country Team Represent With Fast Times
The Northwest Vista Cross Country team had an outstanding showing at the Missions Half Marathon/10K/5K.
In the half marathon, Vienna Garcia place 1st in her age group and 6th overall women with a time of 1:45:16. Lauraly Wade was 4th in her age group coming in under 2 hours.
In the 10K, Micah Florence was 1st in his age group & 4th overall finisher!! He ran a 42:25, averaging 6:50 miles for the 6 mile course.
In the 5K, Adam Soto finished first for the Wildcats. He was 1st in his age group & 2nd overall finisher. Karla Presa was the next finisher, finishing 1st in her age group & 1st overall women – 9th place overall. Chris Molleda was the next finisher. He placed 1st in his age group & 16th place overall, finishing right around 20minutes. Robert Dreamkowski finished his first race as a wildcat & was 3rd in his age group. Also finishing for Northwest Vista College was gilbert Rodriguez, finishing 6th place in his age group.
These athletes have been working really hard & had an outstanding performance in their first big race of the season.
If you would like to join the team contact Daniel Johnson @ [email protected] for more information.
