PCC Mingling & Mocktails

Perseverance is the operative word at Pueblo Community College. Whether it be a student working hard to earn a degree and becoming successful in the business world, or a non-traditional student overcoming the odds to get their long-dreamed-of diploma, the drive and persistence it takes to succeed is always an element.

Visiting speaker Woody Roseland had the same sentiment when he talked to attendees Thursday night at the 3rd annual “Mingling and Mocktails” event at PCC. He told the crowd comprised of high schoolers, college students, mentors and supporters all about his philosophy of just throwing out creativity into the universe and seeing what sticks. He had one of his first videos “go viral” with 250,000 views, resulting in CEOs and corporate entities contacting him to speak and gain from his expertise. “Sometimes you put everything into a project and it ends up failing. But you have to get back up and keep trying,” he told the crowd. He mentioned almost offhandedly that he happened to have a rare form of cancer when he was 16, relapsed 7 times and lost his left leg. But that doesn’t come anywhere close to defining Roseland. His boundless energy and live-for-the-moment attitude has made him a success on many levels.

Even emcee Marcus Martinez exhibited he has what it takes to succeed. A novice at navigating a program, he took the stage with confidence and humility, delivering an honest and refreshing commentary on the program. He just went with his heart.

Mingling and Mocktails is an event that brings together students from various levels to network and learn etiquette. And, as we learned after hearing Roseland speak, to make perseverance an integral part of the academic arsenal.