In a world of Lebrons and Beyonces be a Monifah

February 1, 2021 | Johnna Kerres

With a beautiful smile and personality to match, Scott Community College student Monifah Ponton has a way of making those around her feel at ease. Within minutes of meeting two things are clear: 1) Ponton cares deeply about helping other people. 2) Under that bright smile is a fierce determination to do something great. For…

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Saving my son

October 9, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

Quick thinking and bikini top lead to incredible rescue When you ask Christina Brenner to recount what happened that hot July afternoon, she will tell you she was just a mom doing what moms do. She gets uncomfortable with the word hero, though that’s what her son, friends and family said afterwards. She insists she’s…

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Lifting Up Families

April 20, 2020 | alaneastern

Training opportunity changes life Miguel Salcedo has a special spark. And no, it’s not from his welding torch. It’s something from deep inside, a flame ignited after an opportunity from Muscatine Community College (MCC) forever changed his life. Just a few short years ago, Salcedo was barely getting by. The father of eight boys, ranging…

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Fork-Tales

April 20, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

Learning English Through Storytelling   Imagine getting up on stage and performing a monologue in front of a room full of people, the bright lights of the theater radiating heat on your face as you open your mouth and let the words tumble out. For many, this scenario sends a shiver of fear down the…

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The Art of Healing

April 20, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

Scott Community College alumnus turns passion into purpose On any given day, Kenneth Cunningham can most likely be found with a paintbrush in hand blasting music in his art studio, his cat observing the paint strokes from a table, or even perched on his shoulder, while his dog lays happily at his feet. The scene…

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Planting for Progress

April 20, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

Julia Dieckman is in the business of growing. As a Muscatine Community College Agriculture Instructor, she’s well versed in the science behind nurturing both crops and student potential. This skill recently served her especially well as she shared her knowledge and expertise with dozens of farmers. The main difference in this environment compared to a…

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Answering the Call

April 20, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

From Business Owner to Medical Student Very few of us know what our true calling is when we’re 18-years-old and tasked with choosing a path. For those who miss the mark, or who don’t figure out their passion until later in life, starting a new career isn’t often an option. Tyler Gibson didn’t always know…

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Watch Me Fly TCC

January 23, 2020 | Johnna Kerres

SCC student, faculty member and local musician make an impact through music Music has a way of expressing how we feel in a way words alone simply cannot. And, when cranked up loud for all to hear, it has the power to amplify – both literally and figuratively. A single lyric or melody can catch…

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Why Not? Life becomes simple question

November 4, 2019 | Johnna Kerres

Life gives us limitations, whether they are physical or situational. Then, there are limitations we put upon ourselves, you know the ones…our own feelings of self-doubt or insecurity. In those instances, changing your mindset from self-doubt to self-belief can be a long, hard road. As recent Muscatine Community College (MCC) graduate Deana Dawson can attest,…

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Job Driven Training

November 4, 2019 | Johnna Kerres

Preparing Apprentices for the Future Here at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, helping students achieve their dreams is what we do. If you’ve read this magazine before, you’ve seen countless stories about students realizing their potential or landing their ideal job. What may come as a surprise are the many ways in which we help students…

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