By: Anny VanDriel & Christy Skeen

(PHOENIX, Ariz., April 21, 2004)—Graduation is a time to reflect on accomplishments and prepare for the future. On Friday, May 14, 2004 at 7:30 p.m., Phoenix College will recognize this semester’s graduates during the Spring 2004 graduation ceremony. This year’s keynote speaker is Richard Boals, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield and PC alumnus.

"Phoenix College truly gave me the confidence I needed to pursue higher education. The college allowed me access to facilities and instructors who were inspiring and supportive during those first years of my higher education," said Boals. "At Phoenix College, I gained more than just textbook learning. I gained life-learning, too."

Following in the footsteps of Boals are a few PC graduates who worked hard to achieve their goals. By overcoming obstacles, challenging themselves or taking chances, the following PC students are deserving of recognition for their accomplishments and future successes.

Arcadio "Cisco" Juacisco Ramirez


Arcadio "Cisco" Juacisco Ramirez is graduating this May with two degrees, an AAS in Culinary Arts and an AAS in Food Service Administration. He has been an extraordinary example of leadership, taking on many leadership roles while at Phoenix College.

Ramirez is the President for the Mu Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, was the former VP of Communications for AZ Regional Board of Phi Theta Kappa, is an Ambassador for Phoenix College and a member of Future Teachers of America.

With all of his accomplishments and achievements, one would think Ramirez to be a former high school honor student. Surprisingly, just the opposite is true. Ramirez was a high school drop out, which makes his current and future accomplishments even more of a success.

Ramirez relates his life to a quote from the movie Ten Commandments, when Charlton Heston who plays Moses says, "I do not know what power shapes my way, but my feet are set upon a road that I must follow."

After flunking out of one high school and dropping out of another, Ramirez decided it was time to get serious and began a culinary studies program at Metro Tech High School. Once committing to completing high school, Ramirez earned his diploma in the spring of 2001 and enrolled at Phoenix College to continue his culinary studies education.

A true example of motivation and success, Ramirez plans to transfer to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to continue his education in culinary studies. He is a motivated man who has been inspired in many ways and by many people.

"You never know what life is going to give you," said Ramirez. "Love the great moments, learn from the terrible ones, but cherish all that life has given you."

Jean Bateman

At age 80, Jean Bateman will receive her Creative Writing Certificate this May during the last New Voices reading at Phoenix College. After many years of creative writing classes that range from nonfiction to poetry, Jean will have a well-earned certificate to display in her Phoenix home.

Over the years, Jean has used her creative writing skills to produce a number of published short stories, poems and two books. She addresses a wide array of subject areas expanding from AIDS and breast cancer to writing about her family and the time she spent in the Philippines one year after WWII.

"I’ve lost a lot of friends to AIDS," she said. "It’s important to write about what you know so I tend to write about the subjects that have affected me the most."

Jean is also a breast cancer survivor and world traveler, giving her a unique insight on topics that have served as an
inspiration for writing. Additionally, Jean receives a great deal of her inspiration from something she refers to as her
"power wall." This magical, breathtaking wall holds 39 photographs of seven generations of women and six
generations of men in her family. It is truly a wonderful sight.

During the New Voices reading, Jean will read from her newest book, which was created from journal notes she took
while living in the Philippines after WWII.

"My husband was stationed in the Philippines right after the war and we were so amazed at what we witnessed while
we were there," she added. "The destruction was terrible and the experience of living there was like no other. I just
had to write about it."

Jean’s book, "Journey to Another World," which is its working title, will entice the reader with emotion and attention
to detail.

"I wanted to offer all the sights, smells, and emotion of the Philippines during that time," she added. "The book also
contains photographs."

Jean encourages and leaves an uplifting message for other adults returning to education, "I feel very good at this age
and I want to inspire others who may be thinking about going back to school. You’re never too old to go back to
school. You can do it!"

Ironically, receiving a Creative Writing Certificate will not keep Jean away from Phoenix College. She plans to
continue taking creative writing courses long after receiving her Certificate.

Rebecca Skeels

Possibly PC’s youngest graduate this semester is Rebecca Skeels. Skeels graduated from high school at the age of 16 and is now 18 and graduating from Phoenix College, earning her AA degree in Liberal Arts.

An ambitious young woman, Skeels will transfer to the University of Arizona to study media arts and possibly religion. Following her own heart, Skeels has a career planned for herself that is non-traditional and of great importance to her.

She wants to revolutionize the film industry by directing and writing films dealing with social and international issues and their affect on human relationships.

Hoping to portray herself as an example for other women wishing to write or direct, Skeels wants to prove that nobody can dictate a female’s future. She feels that women have the choice to succeed or to succumb to the everyday stereotypes that plague society.

"I realize the hard work involved in this goal," said Skeels, "but rejection is better than never knowing, or never even trying."

Before embarking on her chosen career, Skeels plans to spend several years in Jordon as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Tatiana Malayeva


Phoenix College ESL student, Tatiana Malayeva will graduate this May with an AAS degree in Accounting. Originally from Northeast Russia, Tatiana moved to the United States with her family in July 2000 and enrolled in Phoenix College in 2001. Although English is not her native language, she is a great example and role model for other ESL students hoping to succeed and graduate from Phoenix College. While at Phoenix College, Tatiana excelled in advanced level ESL classes.

Tatiana studied and taught English while living in Russia. She was also selected to participate as a foreign exchange student for one year in San Diego. So although Tatiana began studying English before she arrived to the U.S. she encourages other ESL students to continue on with their studies and set goals. As a former night student, she also encourages students to try day classes.

"Phoenix College has a completely different feel to it during the day," she said. "I personally liked my day classes better."

Tatiana has a natural passion for math; however, her love for people may have her changing her mind about a career as an accountant.

"I love math and find it very challenging; however, I really like working with people," said Tatiana. "I don’t know if I will be satisfied as an accountant…I need to interact with a lot of people on a daily basis."

Like many students, Tatiana is not opposed to venturing out of her selected major to study something else when she transfers to ASU. Now she is seriously

into teaching or international business. Her dream is to open a nightclub in the United States. She envisions this nightclub as having a more "European look" with people dancing and enjoying themselves.

Like Tatiana, more than 400 students at Phoenix College are enrolled in ESL classes and speak approximately 35 to 40 different languages ranging from Spanish to Dinka.

Cynthia Reyes

A single mother of four children, Cynthia Reyes is graduating from Phoenix College at the age of 40 and entering the Professional Teachers Preparation Program at ASU West. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and work as a teacher while pursuing her master’s degree.

"After earning my master’s degree, I would like to attain a position here at Phoenix College," said Reyes. "I really enjoy the environment here, and can tell most of my professors do as well. I’ve enjoyed my experience here at PC so much that I honestly hate to leave!"

Reyes funded her Phoenix College education entirely through tuition grants and scholarships. She received grants from Arizona Women’s Education and Employment and scholarships from Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. She also was a recipient of the Women’s International Day scholarship and the Aztec Educational scholarship.

With a full schedule of classes and four children, Reyes is a great example of what can happen with a little hard work and perseverance. She and her children do homework side by side in the evenings, taking turns helping each other out. Her oldest son, Edward, also attends Phoenix College and the mother and son duo carpool to school together every day.

"We do not have any classes together as I am taking mainly upper division classes this semester," said Reyes. "I did however find myself in classes with some of Edward's former classmates last semester, some of which used to come to my house for sleepovers years ago. That was interesting, and probably instrumental in convincing my son to attend college."

Showing her children the benefits of education, as a future teacher, Reyes will have the opportunity to serve as an optimistic example for many others in the years to come.

Jiri George Smerda

A 31-year-old Phoenix College re-entry student, Jiri George Smerda has the drive and ambition that is needed for his future legal career. He is graduating this semester with a business degree, will transfer to ASU West to receive his bachelor’s in finance and ultimately earn a degree in law from ASU Main.

Upon completion of his legal studies, Smerda plans to specialize in corporate and labor law, representing the rights and freedoms of the American worker. He believes that working on the local level is important, but more important is the global impact of labor law and the ramifications that under representation for workers can cause.

Smerda began studies at Phoenix College in the mid 1990’s, but had to leave school in the spring of 1996 due to a family illness. He worked as a police officer for a while and then began his own plumbing business. Unfortunately, a back injury kept him from continuing his plumbing business, it was then that Smerda decided to return to Phoenix College.

"I love Phoenix College," said Smerda. "It was awesome in the 90’s and it’s even better now. There are such great teachers here, they really give individual and personalized attention to their students."

Since re-entering college, Smerda has received several scholarships including the David Dalby scholarship, MAT scholarship and he is also a Bear Scholar. This semester, Smerda was nominated for the Jack Kent Cooke national scholarship, making him the only Phoenix College student nominee. He was also on the national Dean’s list in 1993, 1994 and again in 2004.

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