Jana Matlack made some choices when she was younger that left her regretting that she didn’t get to tuck her kids in at night because she was too busy working. She was trying to make ends meet and had to sacrifice some time that she can’t get back. But she made the important choice to go back to school to better her life, and found Pueblo Community College.
Jean Daniel started out life working in the fields when she was just 10 years old, and spent much of her life working as a dishwasher, bartender and cook. She too wanted to better her life, also decided to go back to school, and also found Pueblo Community College.
Both women gave emotional testimonials at the 2nd annual Pueblo Community College “Friendraising” Breakfast on Wednesday. Sadly, their stories are not uncommon, but their perseverance and determination to improve their own lives and those of their families is a familiar dynamic at PCC.
PCC has many “out of the box” programs to help students succeed and afford the expenses of college and integrating it into their lives. PCC President Dr. Patty Erjavec talked to breakfast attendees about the importance of creating opportunities for students, and guest speaker Burnie Zercher reiterated the goal of hard work, giving back, and following your dream.
Many attendees and emcee Charnell Mayer became tearful at hearing the path that students have ultimately chosen and their wish to succeed. After all, that is what America stands for: the freedom to choose and the opportunity to work toward a dream.
You can help those less fortunate realize their dream. For opportunities to support the Pueblo Community College Foundation, log on to www.puebloccfoundation.org.
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- Barbara and Jim Duff
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- Jennifer Bauer, finance manager at PCC, left, with Heather Stevens, administrative support
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- Board members Marty Poole, left, and Charnell Mayer with Foundation Director Martha Simmons
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- PCC scholar Jean Daniel, left, and Board Secretary Pam Patterson
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- Jill Brown, left, Felix Torres and Bianca Flores helped to greet guests
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- Mark Magnone and board member Lori Lovato
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- Board member Wynona Sullivan and her husband Dr. Wally Sullivan
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- Guest speaker Burnie Zercher and Charnell Mayer
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- Pamela Nading and EPIC scholar Gage Towner
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- Board members Jan Williams, left, and Marty Poole
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- Jan Williams, left, Marty Poole and Carole Walls
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- Carole Walls, left, and Wynona Sullivan
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- Jean Daniel and Rick Reed
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- PCC’s Linda Trembley, left, and Wynona Sullivan
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- Board members MJ Voelker and Ross Barnhart
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- Ken Lewis, left, and Tom Ratzlaff
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- Ross Barnhart and Jennifer Mariano of Care & Share
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- Carole Walls, left, Barbara Fortino (board), Ida Anzuini and Karen Anzuini
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- Wanda Glover, left, Wynona Sullivan and Jan Williams
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- Kay Bauman, left, chats with Marty Poole
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- Mike Salardino and Ashley Valdez
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- Carolyn and Bill Osnowitz
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- Wing Chi and Sean Westbrook, left, Marty Poole, Rita Gersick and Kay Bauman
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- EPIC scholar Marisela Flores and Gloria Flores
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec chats with Hal Deselms
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- Phil Combs, left, and Ray Erjavec
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- Board member Charnell Mayer returned as emcee for the breakfast
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- Charnell Mayer greets guests
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- Board member Sharon and Keith Swerdfeger
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- Martha Simmons greets Kevin Olsen
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- Steven Trujillo and Velia Rincon
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- Ivy White, left, Florence Hunt and Helen Wiley
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- Zander Davis, Kim Davis and her daughter Devlyn DeRidder
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- Thank-you centerpieces were given to attendees
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec chats with Jim Sbarbaro
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec gives the crowd an update on PCC programs
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- Dr. Patty Erjavec thanks supporters
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- Charnell Mayer makes a point
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- Jana Matlack tells attendees the story of her path to PCC
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- Jana Matlack is very thankful for the PCC Panther Student Pantry
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- PCC scholar Jean Daniel tells her story
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- Jean Daniel talks about her experience as a “non-traditional” student
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- Jean Daniel gets a hug from Charnell Mayer
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- Burnie Zercher talks about the EPIC scholarship fund
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- Burnie Zercher urged everyone to follow their dream.
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- EPIC scholars stand to be recognized
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- Dr Patty Erjavec, left, Mike Salardino and Julie Faletta
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- Jenny Smith, left, Andrew Trainor, Mark Magnone and Lori Lovato
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- Ron Wiley and Cindy Ayala-Cooper
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- Jim Sbarbaro, left, Jan Williams and Mary Chavez
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- Jean Daniel, left, and Wynona Sullivan
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- Meg Scarlett-Fox, left, Dan Centa, Keith Swerdfeger and Pam Patterson
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- Samatha Kommana, left, Dawn Yengich, Rick Reed
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- Sharon Swerdfeger chats with Dr. Patty Erjavec
