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AHS Salutes Its Seniors with Fun Event

Class of 2011 undergraduates received a great sendoff in the form of a "Salute the Seniors" event, which was the end product of a project in Recreation, Sport and Tourism's event planning course. Many students attended, so we took advantage of the opportunity to ask them about their favorite memories of college life, what their most significant educational experience was, and what they'll miss most about the University of Illinois.

Katie Krok, a student in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism's Tourism Management concentration, said that every year had a different highlight. "I'll probably never forget that today was my last day of school and I did a presentation that went really well. What I'll miss most is everybody I've met in classes and my sorority, and having my friends close."

Iman Perkins, a student in the Community Health degree program who focused on Health Administration, will remember all the classes that Dr. Susan Farner taught. "She's the best!" she said. What she'll miss most is how friendly the advisors are, adding "They're all great."

When asked what her most cherished memory is, Christina De Quero, a senior in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science, laughed and said, "There's too many!" She decided that she will always remember going out with her friends and will miss the connections she formed in and outside of the classroom. "I did a lot of volunteering in preschools and with the Down syndrome organization," she said.

Elizabeth Sams, who focused on Health Administration in her Community Health degree program, said what she'll miss most are the people. And her most beneficial experience? "Being a teaching assistant for Community Health 455, Health Services Financing, definitely," she said.

Asked about her most beneficial experience, Lisa Pearson, who completed a double concentration in Health Education and Promotion and Health Administration in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, said, "Getting to do research on childhood obesity with the STRONG Kids program." She went on, "I will definitely miss the people—the professors, the teaching assistants, the friends…everyone." She said she will always remember how happy she was when she transferred into the College of Applied Health Sciences from another college.

Kaitlin Cheung, a Tourism Management student in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, said what she likes most about AHS is how diverse the majors are. As to what she will miss, she said, "It's really unfortunate that I didn't get to see the new part of the building. I really wanted to see it. But if I come here next year, I'll definitely check it out."

Justin Neally says his most beneficial experience has been stepping out of his comfort zone and taking on new experiences. "They're out there, especially in AHS," he said, adding, "Just the openness and knowing that whatever you're interested in, AHS wants to support you and help you grow in that." What he'll miss most is the sense of community. "I came from a very small town and was really worried about stepping into a whole new world and a big place, but I've come to know that it's just one big community here and there's a place for you," he said

Adria Coffer is getting her degree in Community Health, with a concentration in Health Education and Promotion. Her most beneficial experience? "A class I took on rural health has really opened my eyes to a lot about rural demographics and the type of things that go on in those communities, so that is something that's been significant to me," she said. She'll miss the access to diverse facilities such as the Wellness Center, and her friends.

British Lassiter, who focused on Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, said her internship was her best experience. "I'm doing mine at DRES (Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services), and learning about all the different disabilities are here on campus that you would never know that people have," she said. "I work with people who have autism. I coach a couple of students, I work in the rehab gym, and I follow a clinical psychologist." She'll miss her teachers, especially Dr. Notaro, and her friends.

Nicole Kump (middle), a senior in Kinesiology, came with two of her best friends: Ashlynn Miller (left), who's in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, and Ally Glavan (right), an alumna of the University of Illinois. She is going to a position with Allstate's corporate office, where she will be doing marketing and public relations. "I think all the skills and leadership qualities I've learned here will really help me," she said. She said she will definitely miss the friends that she's made and the sporting events.

Community Health major Jonathan Reed said his internship has been "pretty interesting." "I'm working with the Champaign County Christian Health Center, and we work independently on different tasks," he said. "The task I was assigned to was getting donations from businesses and churches, and we also put together a 5K marathon." After focusing in Health Adminstration, Jonathan said he's hoping to become a pharmaceutical representative. He's going to miss the University as a whole—seeing his friends, meeting new people.

Tiffany Webb is focusing on Sport Management in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Her most beneficial experience has been being involved in the Mannie Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program (I-LEAP). "It helped a lot," she said. "When you needed something, you could just go into Sheri's office (Sheri Shaw, director of I-LEAP), and you knew you had somebody to talk to." What she'll miss most, she said, is the environment, "just the whole Orange-and-Blue nation."

Best friends Mary Shelus and Sarah Wicklin, seniors in Kinesiology with a focus on Athletic Training, agreed that being involved in the Athletic Training program was their best experience. "We got a lot of hands-on experience throughout our undergraduate years, and will be able to get right into the field," Sarah said. Mary says what she'll miss most are all the people in the Athletic Training program. "We've gotten to know each other really well, since there are only 15 in our class," she said.