1. Elizabeth Trego – General College Studies

Graduating from Chesapeake is just one of the milestones that Elizabeth Trego of Kent County is celebrating. The mom of three will also be celebrating her middle child’s graduation from high school in a few weeks and her youngest child’s completion of middle school. In addition, Ms. Trego begins a new job with LaMotte Chemical later this month. Ms. Trego maintained a 4.0 GPA at Chesapeake and was honored as the Outstanding Graduate for General College Studies.

What brought you to Chesapeake? I wanted to go to college so that I would be more marketable. I knew that I wanted to work in chemical quality control, so I took many science and business classes.

What are your future plans? I’m excited to be starting a new job with LaMotte Chemical and embarking on a new career.

What was your greatest challenge?  I would have to say the commute was my biggest challenge. It’s a long drive from Rock Hall. Sometimes balancing school, work, family and friends was a challenge for me.

Describe your Chesapeake experience.  I’ve really liked all of my professors and I took multiple classes with several. There is a great environment at Chesapeake. The staff, faculty and students are friendly here and always willing to help.

 

     2.   James Kaplanges – Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences

James Kaplanges, a Stevensville resident, has interests ranging from math to baseball to the performing arts. He tutors other students in both math and writing, and completed three Honors Projects. After taking a theatre class, Mr. Kaplanges joined the Peake Players and performed in five shows during his time at Chesapeake. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is the Outstanding Graduate for Liberal Arts and Sciences.

What brought you to Chesapeake?  The in-county tuition.

What are your future plans? I’m transferring to the University of Maryland-College Park for a bachelor’s degree and plan to major in Geography.

What was your greatest challenge?  Learning to ask for help and that it is okay to ask questions outside of class. It’s an easy thing, but it was tough for me at first.  Trying acting was also a huge challenge for me. It was so different from what I’d been used to, but I enjoy it now.

Describe your Chesapeake experience. Chesapeake has been a great experience. I didn’t want to come here at first, but it didn’t take long for me to see what a great place Chesapeake is for all students.  I feel lucky to have been here and I’m going to miss it very much.

 

 3. Michael Roy – Associate’s Degree in Human Services

Doing volunteer work in the community, inspired Michael Roy, a Queen Anne resident, to embark on a career in mental health services. He saw the toll that substance abuse and mental health issues took on people’s lives. Mr. Roy retired from the Army after 17 years with a service-related injury

Managing his own health issues, Mr. Roy also cares for his mother in addition to pursuing his classwork.

What brought you to Chesapeake? I was volunteering as a mentor and decided that I wanted to get into the field as a career. I needed a degree to do that and Chesapeake had what I needed. 

What are your future plans? I’m building ground for a bachelor’s degree in social work.

What was your greatest challenge?  Math was my greatest challenge. I know it is for a lot of people, but it certainly was for me. Coming back to school after a long time makes the math classes even tougher, I think.

Describe your Chesapeake experience.  Coming to Chesapeake was challenging in many ways. Good ways. I learned that you just can’t give up. It’s taken lots of hard work and determination, and it feels good to finish this degree.

 

4. Amy Bednar Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems

What brought you to Chesapeake?  I first saw a class on Game Design in the Chesapeake catalog that was sent to my house in the mail. I took the continuing education class, and when I stopped at Chesapeake and talked to an advisor I decided I wanted to get a degree in web design.

What are your future plans?  I’m enrolled for the summer at Wilmington University in New Castle Delaware. I’m taking beginning classes in Game Design and Development.  I’m waiting to hear back on a scholarship I would use for UMBC, to use for Computer Programming with a Game Track, but if I don’t get that, I will start fall at Wilmington University in Software Design and Development. I would combine that with classes from and possibly a degree in Game Design and Development.

What was your greatest challenge?  I’m physically challenged in mobility, strength, and endurance. I also have short-term memory issues. The software and the teachers at Chesapeake College both really helped me to succeed.

Describe your Chesapeake experience. I’m actually quite sad to be leaving Chesapeake College. I would be very happy to stay here and I hope to return some day to teach. Chesapeake College is very accepting, and feels like family. I have made friends here that I hope to have for a long time.

 

5. Edwin Hernandez-Martinez – Associate’s Degree Liberal Arts and Sciences

As an 8-year-old child, Mr. Hernandez-Martinez moved to Dorchester County from Hidalgo, Mexico. He graduated from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School in 2016 and enrolled at Chesapeake for the 2016-2017 academic year.  In addition to working in construction, Mr. Hernandez- Martinez played soccer at Chesapeake and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

What brought you to Chesapeake? The main reasons were that Chesapeake was affordable and close to home. It was the perfect fit for me, though. I knew I wasn’t interested in a large school. I wanted small classes and a welcoming environment.

What are your future plans?  I’m transferring to Salisbury University to work a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree. I want to become a licensed clinical social worker. I’d like to work with the elderly making sure that they have the resources and connections they need to enjoy their golden years.

What was your greatest challenge? Just balancing my responsibilities. Traveling in between work and class, and trying to be on time for both was really tough.

Describe your Chesapeake experience. The campus is beautiful and friendly. Chesapeake has been a great place to start.

 

6. Anthony Tate – Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences

A stand-out on Chesapeake’s men’s basketball team, Mr. Tate is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a graduate of Chesapeake’s Leadership Academy and FOCUS program. He also maintained a 4.0 GPA at Chesapeake.

What brought you to Chesapeake? I came to Chesapeake for the athletics, but I soon appreciated the academics. I wanted to play basketball and Chesapeake has a great program. This was a good environment for in every way. I made the right choice coming here.

What are your future plans: I’m going to transfer to Livingstone College in North Carolina where I’ll play basketball and major in sociology with a criminal justice concentration. My goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a homicide detective.

What was your biggest challenge: Getting accustomed to doing so much online in my classes was an adjustment. It was tough for me at first, but I adjusted. That, and learning time management were my biggest challenges. I had to learn to deal with both issues in order to be successful.

Describe your Chesapeake experience:  I learned communication and how to open myself up to other people. That will have a huge impact on my life. I loved that the instructors assigned so many group projects because it helped all the students grow. Everyone at Chesapeake works to create a positive climate where every student can be uplifted. This was a great experience for me.

 

7.  Keasha Haythe and Marcus Haythe

Keasha Haythe and Marcus Haythe, a mother/son duo from Talbot County, took different roads to Chesapeake, but they share in the same accomplishment   As a high school student, Ms. Haythe had dreams of attending a four-year college.  She became a teen mother and put her educational quest on hold. Instead of going away to college, she raised a family and went to work in the banking industry then economic development. After achieving career success, Ms. Haythe decided to pursue a college degree. Now the mother of three children and President of Zoe Economic Development Group and President and Founder of The Foundation of HOPE, Inc, a non-profit helping young girls in sixth-grade. Ms. Haythe is achieving the goal she had as a teenager.

Mr. Haythe, a military veteran, began his Chesapeake experience right after he graduated from high school in 2009. After his military service, he entered the work force and later returned to Chesapeake. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland-College Park.

The two students encouraged each other through coursework, and even took a class together. It’s been a long, challenging journey for Ms. Haythe, but doubly rewarding because she accomplished this personal goal with her son.

 

Keasha Haythe, CEcD – Associate’s Degree in Business Administration

What brought you to Chesapeake? I gave birth to my son Marcus just after I graduated from Easton High School in 1991. I became a mom, so my plans had to change. As I raised my sons and daughter, I built a career while I took courses here and there. I believe that education and economic prosperity go hand in hand.  I wanted a college degree. So, two years ago I started back in earnest with the goal of completing my degree

What are your future plans?  I told my kids that a college degree gives you a seat at the table.  I truly believe that, so that’s why earning this degree is so important to me. I’m not finished, I plan to transfer to the University Maryland Baltimore County to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science. I’m interested in possibly a master’s degree, as well. I’ll start classes in January of 2019.

What was your greatest challenge?  Math, without a doubt, was my greatest challenge.  I had to take every single developmental math class and struggled through each one. When other students spent two hours a week on math, I had to spend two hours a day. It was so discouraging and there were many times that I wanted to quit. But I persevered. I used prayer and meditation a lot. I sought encouragement from family and friends. Instructor Vann Crucillo was a huge help. I’m not sure that I would have made it without his help. He was supportive, funny, patient, and made it clear that he really believed in us.

Describe your Chesapeake experience. The college has given me the chance to fulfill this personal goal that I set for myself long ago. I’ve been able to be a good example for my children as they’ve watched me push myself.

 

Marcus Haythe Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences

What brought you to Chesapeake?  The fact that Chesapeake college being within a reasonable distance of my home in Talbot County and the courses transferred appropriately to my 4 year college of choice which was University Of Maryland -College Park. I graduated from Easton High School in 2009. I did enroll into Chesapeake for the FA 09 and SP10 semesters. In fall of 2010, I enlisted into the Army for 4 years and after my active duty time I continued for the FA 14 semester. I took a year and a half off to work and returned and finished from FA 16 to the FA17 semesters to finish my degree.

What are your future plans? US Government employment within an intelligence capacity.

What was your greatest challenge?  Finding and/or making the time to pay great attention to my classwork while working

Describe your Chesapeake experience.  A good experience with unique instructors that motivated me to always set the bar as high as possible.