| | TRIO Student Success Stories
 |  | Broward College is full of outstanding students, but one student stands out as a shining example of courage, strength, and determination. Jennifer Oakes, born three months early with cerebral palsy and scoliosis in June of 1985, is a graphic design student at BC's north campus, and a recipient of the Rotary Club 5000 Nancy Kollar Disability Scholarship. College students face a fair amount of challenges these days, and Jennifer handles these challenges with great optimism. Her attitude is very inspiring to fellow classmates.
Jennifer Oakes graduated from Northeast Hizgh School in 2004 and receive a certificate from Atlantic Vo-Tech in graphic design. She is working on her Associates of Arts degree in graphic design and is scheduled to graduate from Broward College this year. Her goals for the future include making good grades and pursuing a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree at the University of Florida. | | | Jennifer Oakes enthusiastically cited the TRIO program as one of her biggest aids at Broward College, "If it wasn't for the TRIO program, I would not be where I am today. The tutoring program has helped me tremendously by strengthening my academic weakness. Broward College has been the biggest tool for progress in my life."
Not only is Jennifer making progress in school, but she works in her field of graphic design for the Handicap Sales Workshop in Pompano Beach. She is currently getting fifteen hours a week of real world experience making business cards, key chains, Christmas cards, and calendars. In addition to keeping up with all her school and job obligations, Jennifer manages to maintain a busy social life. Her favorite activities include going shopping, hanging out with friends, going on the computer, and talking on the phone. It seems like we can all learn something from Jennifer Oakes. She offers this advice: "You live and learn; put your mind to it, and go the extra mile...ask for help and you will succeed." | Written by Amanda Jones |
| Born with spina bifida, a neurological disorder that left him in a wheelchair since the age of 12, Kevin Mattson is one of the TRIO Grant's amazing success stories.
|  | A graduate of Plantation High School, Mattson always had the determination to succeed at what he did. "My disability has taught me that just because you have a disability, it doesn't mean you have to have a negative outlook on life," he said.
Kevin Mattson has proven his determination by not only being a well-rounded student, but also by working part time as an usher for sporting events at major arenas in South Florida. In his spare time, he plays golf and does wight training to strengthen his upper body.
Now, with the help of Disabilities Services at Broward College, Kevin Mattson has become the very first TRIO Grant graduate. He graduated with a degree in elementary education, and is currently enrolled in Florida Atlantic University. He aims to get his bachelors degree and further pursue a teaching career at Plantation Park Elementary School where he was a student more than 15 years ago. "The education I've gotten here has been a tremendous help as far as preparing me for the work field. I learned so much in my courses, and I loved my instructors." he said. | | | | Written by Candace James |
 | Eight years ago Heather Mizer was involved in a vehicular accident which put her in a coma for two months and left her unable to walk and talk. "I was under the influence of drugs and stole my boyfriend's pickup. I was doing ninety-five miles per hour on I-95 and lost control on the wheel. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt, so when the truck stopped, I was thrown out and pinned under it. I didn't even have a license at the time, but I wasn't issued a ticket because they thought that I was dead."
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After going two years of rehabilitation, Heather Mizer enrolled in Broward College. For the first few years, she was unable to write, so she taped her lectures and played them over and over again. Our TRIO Grant's Learning Disability Specialist, Ruby Crane, was assigned to her as a scribe to write her answers on tests when she was asked the questions verbally. "I am very proud of her; she is amazing. I seldom go to graduations, but I am going to this one just to see Heather Mizer walk across the stage," Crane said. After a lot of hard work, Heather Mizer was eventually able to teach herself to left-handed. Heather Mizer was first in a wheel chair, then a walker, and now she has begun walking on her own. After six years of hard work, Heather Mizer walked across the stage and collected her diploma. Heather plans to get a bachelor's degree in social work. "I am undecided what area of work I want to specialize in," she said, "I just know I want to help people."
|  | | Written by Lily Moonsar |
 | Sinnette Pabon, a Miramar resident who has been a student at Broward College since 2002, will
graduate with an associate in arts degree after completing her last course this summer. She was born profoundly deaf and communicates primarily in American Sign Language. | 
Sinnete Pabon (pictured on the left) working with her tutor Sarah McCulloch (right) |
Diligent, motivated, attentive to even miniscule details, and filled with an almost urgent necessity to know she will not merely
accept something blindly. Sinnette embodies the ideal protégé. She can often be found on campus hours before class begins, studying for an upcoming test or revising a paper. She has received TRIO tutoring since the program began in the fall of 2005 for her English courses, and she says that “Tutoring gave me great tools to help me understand
the structure and nature of the English language, and this also improved my writing.”
Her advice for other students is “Take advantage of the tutoring available if you experience any problems!”
| A budding artist, Sinnette loves anything to do with painting, watercolor, sketching, life drawings, and she takes immense pleasure in learning new art techniques. She plans
on attending Florida Atlantic University or Florida International University following her graduation from Broward College and
will pursue a bachelor of arts degree in art. She says she hopes to attain widespread recognition as an artist, but she also possesses an interest in interior design and culinary art. With her determined and hopeful personality, she will undoubtedly meet her career goals. | | | | Written by Sarah McCulloch | | |  |
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