December 15, 2025 • 44 mins
Meet the voices of the Class of 2025. In this special episode, RCBC Winter Commencement student speakers Omalayo Akinwole, Sherria Hannah, and Yvonne Tai open up about the exceptional stories behind their journeys and what it means to step onto the stage at Votta Hall Auditorium.
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Jason Varga (00:01):
Welcome to the program pod, a national award
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers,
and back on location again, butthis time in a different
location. It's Jay Varga hereagain with the program pod, the
two time national award winningand it's the holiday season,
(00:23):
which means it's time foranother edition of our winter
commencement podcast special,the third installment, in fact,
here on the rcbc PodcastNetwork. And today we get to
speak with the winter 2025commencement student speakers,
and that's Omalayo Akinwole,Yvonne Tai, and Sherria Hannah,
who are all have someinteresting stories to share
(00:43):
which led them to being selectedand representing their peers in
just a few days. And here youare. How's everyone doing today?
Doing well, great. Thank you.Yeah. You guys are getting ready
for your commencement next weekand your speeches. Yeah, yeah.
We're, you know, getting readyto do the final rehearsal after
this podcast here. And just wantto take some time to get to get
to know you a little bit moreand get you out, you know,
because the sometimes the speechhas to be so serious, but also
(01:07):
so, you know, inspiring at thesame time. And it seems like,
you know, this year, actually,it was kind of thrown together a
lot faster than it has been inpast years. And you guys got
your speeches done prettyincredibly short time. How you
feeling about it,
Unknown (01:21):
feeling more confident. Yeah, each rehearse, I'm feeling
more confident.
Jason Varga (01:26):
How does it feel? As we're getting we're
broadcasting live here in thevoter Hall where the
commencement is gonna be takingplace, but we're on the stage,
and you got the bright lights,and, you know, the other day,
you got to hear yourself on theactual podium, with the with the
sound, and your voice goingaround the auditorium. How did
Unknown (01:41):
that sound? Very interesting. I think my voice
kind of sound really different,yeah, compared to how it sounds
like in my head. Actually, itsounds really different right
now.
Jason Varga (01:50):
Yeah, well, that's because, but a little broadcast
to it, you know, then for thepodcasting, so taking my radio
and compressing and doingeverything else, but that's why
we try to get everybody to getit comfortable with because, you
know, when I was telling you toprepare for your speeches, you
know, don't read it inside yourhead. You got to read it out
loud to hear how it's going tosound. And then it's a different
sound when you hear it on themicrophone and the podium,
because it's echoing a littlebit, so you feel a little more
(02:12):
comfortable and you're
Unknown (02:13):
feeling ready for it. Yeah, I am feeling ready. I
mean, I naturally just don'tlike the way I sound. Nobody
does for the first time heremyself, I was like, wow, right?
I wish we had more people tofill it up so I can get an
actual feel.
Jason Varga (02:29):
But yeah, well, then the human bodies will
absorb a lot of the sound,right? Like we're an empty
auditorium right now, so we havea lot of echo and reverb and
stuff too. So you're going tohave all the bodies your family
members and friends going to bein there too, and all your
peers. So it's going to be it'sgoing to be great, but it's
getting used to your voice, isone thing. That's why we do, you
know, some multiple stuff, butit's almost like the same time
when you hear your voice on avoicemail and you're like, I
(02:51):
really sound like that. I hatemy voice. But again, congrats.
You know, for being this year'sstudent speakers, we're doing
three different sessions thisyear. We're doing a little
different. We're not littledifferent. We're not doing it by
division. We're doing it by, youknow, alphabetically, right? So
I forget which one of you isgoing first, okay, so we'll
(03:11):
start with you, right? You knowwhat? First of all, why did you
want to, you know, go and be astudent speaker. Or, Why do you
want to apply for this award?
Unknown (03:24):
I was actually motivated by the past speakers,
and it's always been my dream tobe outstanding. I like to be
like the show. I just like tolike do the extraordinary when I
have the opportunity to so mestanding out as the speaker is
going to mean a lot to me and myfamily, and I know they are
(03:46):
really proud of me. I just liketo be different.
Jason Varga (03:49):
Yeah, yeah. Who was the Do you remember the
speaker's name?
Unknown (03:53):
I'm Taiwo. Oh, Taiwan. I'm prior to one of them were my
friends.
Jason Varga (03:57):
Okay, yeah, Taiwo was awesome. So I mean, I you
have such energy as well. But, Imean, Taiwo, she was out there
and she was crushing her she wasone of my favorite interviewers
when we were doing, you know,doing backstage and everything
else. So obviously you can heara little bit in your accent. So
don't think you're originallyfrom New Jersey, all right. No,
I'm from Nigeria, yes. So canyou tell us your story from, you
(04:18):
know, how I got to Nigeria, allthe way here to Mount Laurel.
Unknown (04:21):
So after my undergraduate in biochemistry,
so I finished from landmarkUniversity in Nigeria, and I
came here for my master's,actually in public health,
because that was why my dadactually told me to come to the
US to study, to be to mymaster's. So when I came here, I
resumed, and I was like, This isnot my passion. I wanted to be a
(04:42):
nurse. So that was when mypassion changed. And I checked
for affordable universities orcolleges online that I could,
like, take my nursing classes,sure. And I got, like, our CSJ,
like, the order will run. So Iwas thinking it was the same
school I applied. And I got tothe campus, and I realized that
the school was not just where Ibelonged. I always passed
(05:06):
through our CBC with the boss,and I was like, this school
looks so beautiful. I would liketo be here one day. Yeah, I
applied to our CBC, and I wasadmitted on my first day on
campus. I was offered, like,presses and ice cream. I was
like,
Jason Varga (05:21):
what's the catch here? I was like, Is
Unknown (05:23):
this free? And you're like, yeah, it's free. I was
like, Oh my God, this school isso nice. So I was able to have
purchases for the first time atour CBC. Then I took it with ice
cream. And in class I saw aNigerian boy ask a question.
After class, I went to approachhim, and I was like, You're from
Nigeria, right? I said, Yes, I'mfrom Nigeria. Then we had a
conversation, and he told me Icould get a job on campus. So I
(05:45):
applied, and I became a studentambassador on campus, and I also
got a job before then that I hadto, like, help the
neurodivergent students, like,adjust to the environment. So I
was able to do the job for awhile. Because of my studies and
other job, I could not retain somuch jobs. I had to, like, drop
one and focus on my studies withthe other job. So I'm still,
(06:07):
like, retaining my studentambassador job alongside with my
nursing program, doing mynursing program, I was also
doing, like, the healthsciences. I was taking two
majors at the same time just to,like, meet up the credits I was
doing the nursing, the healthsciences. I graduated from the
earth sciences. I picked uppsychology again. So I was doing
psychology alongside with mynursing, which was not really,
(06:29):
really easy, yeah. So it was abig, it was, like a very, very,
it was one of the other decisionI made, but here I
Jason Varga (06:36):
am, yeah, yeah. So what? What actually made you
gravitate towards nursing, sinceit wasn't the original, you
know,
Unknown (06:43):
passion, okay, I when I came to the US, before I came to
the US, my dad always wanted meto be a nurse, but I was like,
nurse. Why? But when I came tothe US, I saw the real impact
nurses have on people. And whenI see them on their scrub, they
look so attractive. And I waslike, I would actually like to
be on the scrub one day. I alsohave passion, because since I've
(07:04):
been a nurse, I have no regrets.I realized that that was
actually the passion I have formyself, because everything will
be going well for me, becausenursing is a few that you can't
just go into. If you don't havea passion for you, you're going
to get tired, yes, but becauseof the passion and the drive I
have in nursing, that's whatkept me going until this level
that I am right now.
Jason Varga (07:24):
Yes, it's means a lot to me, because my mom's a
nurse, my wife's a nurse, so andI know what they went through,
especially during covid, and,you know, just the sleepless
nights and everything else, andyou got to have the passion, but
you also have to have goodbedside manner, which sometimes
I tell my wife, you got to workon that a little bit. Maybe it's
just towards me, I don't reallyknow. But no, I totally see it
(07:46):
in your your energy andeverything else. And obviously
it's a great story. And whyyou're here, and I get to, you
know, share that passion to yourpeers and all the health
sciences, which are usually thecraziest bunch of folks there
during the, you know, duringcommencement and everything
else. So again, congrats, andI'm glad you're here. And I'm,
you know, I'm able to find, youknow, rcbc and how we made you
home. And I guess the sellingpoint is we don't really have to
(08:08):
promote anything. We just got togive away free ice cream on
campus, free pretzels and icecream. That's it was, sign up
and everything else. So we moveddown to the board who's speaking
second for the next secondceremony. I am all right,
Sharia, yes. How you doing? I'mwell. Thank you. Yeah. So you
have a different style story,and why don't you share that?
(08:30):
And actually, not first Why didyou apply, first of all, to be,
you know, a president or studentspeaker?
Unknown (08:37):
I don't know, because when, when I got the invitation,
initially, I wasn't going toapply, why I am very reserved
and private and personal and andI did not know all that it would
(08:58):
entail. And so I was telling mybrother about it, and he says,
you're going to do it, right?And I said, Nah, I don't know.
And he says, Well, this is whatyou prayed for. This could be
your opportunity. And so I said,Well, I'll, I'll apply, but if I
(09:20):
get chosen, I can't say 100%that I would accept it. And so I
waited till the day of thedeadline, of course, and I
didn't realize they needed arecommendation letter from
someone, faculty, staff. And Iwas like, Oh my gosh, I don't
(09:42):
have anybody because I wasdistance learning, so I did not
have the direct contact with theprofessors and but I was in
contact with my counselor,Reagan, regularly. Copeland,
Yes, awesome. She is. I knowshe's amazing, yep. And. So I
sent her an email and requestedthe letter, and I had just saw
(10:04):
her the day before. So again, Iwas not sure what I was going to
do, because I could have simplyasked in advance before I had to
submit the application, which isdue the next day, right? The
application without the letter?Yeah, and it was at that moment
that I knew I was going tocommit to putting forth my best
effort to complete theapplication and go through the
(10:25):
process. And so I did. And I'mnot sure the young lady's name
that I sent the email to, butshe responded back the next day
and said, hey, hey, we didn'tget your letter. And I said, I
know, I know, but Reagan's gonnasend it to you. And she did the
next day. And when I got theinvitation for the interview, I
(10:47):
said, Oh my gosh, this is thisis really happening. And I went
in, got the interview, and Iwalked away. I said, No, I'm not
going to get it. I'm just gladfor the opportunity to
interview, because I'm gettingback out there and into the
world and interacting withpeople. And I said, I'm gonna go
practice like it's a jobinterview, get myself some
(11:09):
experience. And and I went, andit was very intimidating. I will
say that process isintimidating. I've heard, you
know, it is very but when Ifinally got the call, I just
broke down the tears, yeah andthat. I didn't realize the
impact that this whole process,even just the interview process,
(11:32):
would have on me. But I'm glad Iapplied. I'm glad I got chosen,
and here I am being being open.
Jason Varga (11:43):
I would wear long sleeves, but I actually have
goosebumps, because it's like,it's a, you know, it's a great
story, because I know what youhad to go through to even get to
this point, just to apply. Canyou share a little bit of that?
Unknown (11:53):
Sure. So, okay, Jay, so in 1919
Jason Varga (12:04):
actually, I know our daughter's gonna be like
you're from the 1900s
Unknown (12:10):
seven, when I graduated high school, I knew at the time
that I wanted to go toBurlington County College, and
it was out in Pemberton, and Iapplied. I went through the
application process, and thenlife happened. My car broke
down, and I was working, and Inever pursued my education.
Well, as I got older, I startedworking, and I was in the
(12:35):
administrative field inbehavioral health, and they
always promoted, you know,advancement and progress. So
they sent me to a course onadministrative certifications
like Outlook and Microsoft andall that kind of stuff back in
2007 that's where Sharia Denniscomes from, because I applied at
(13:03):
that time when I was single andSharia Dennis. And for those
listening
Jason Varga (13:06):
right now, she's talking about that, because when
I had to confirm names,originally, email had Dennis,
and then I was like, No, tada.
Unknown (13:14):
And so I I had a an account back from 2007 and in
20. Fast forward, 2020, I lostmy mom. I lost my mom. Actually,
today's her birthday. That's whyI said, Yeah, together for you
(13:37):
guys, but today's her birthday,like
Jason Varga (13:38):
it's a reason, a purpose for it. Yeah, we had to
have this podcast, right?
Unknown (13:43):
And so in October 2020, she she passed. And at the time,
I was an office manager atLarchmont imaging radiology
center, and I was out, you know,before the leave, they give you
seven days for the passing ofyour mom, and I was due to
return to work that followingMonday, a week after my mom
(14:07):
passed and I had a stroke, I hada stroke, I did not return to
work as scheduled that day. Iwas always prompt on time and
and I guess my employer calledmy husband to say, Hey, your
wife didn't make it to work. Andso my husband, at the time, was
a bus driver, school bus driver,and he came home and he found me
(14:32):
in the bed, just confused anddazed. He didn't know what was
going on, so he took me to theemergency room, and turns out, I
had a stroke. I went throughrehabilitation for about three
months. The irony of this day inDecember, on December 10, that
(14:55):
is weird of 2020. Is the day Iwas discharged from rehab. And
it wasn't until two days beforethat that I found out I had a
stroke. I didn't even know I hada stroke because I thank God
didn't have any residual effectsfrom it, and I went home. Life
(15:15):
was going on. Life washappening. And then in February,
I began to get some pain in myfeet, and like just some
weakness, I was having troubleeating, and I lost about 100
pounds unintentionally. I wasabout this size at the time.
I've got an extra 15 on me now,but I lost 100 pounds. We all do
(15:37):
it during the holidays, and Ifell down the steps trying to
walk down the steps. And that'swhen my husband said, we we got
to go to the hospital, likesomething's wrong. And so I
spent about a month in thehospital, of them trying to
figure out what was wrong withme. I just was in a lot of pain,
and I couldn't bear weight on myfeet and and then that's when
(15:59):
they diagnosed me with, GBS,gileon Bar syndrome. And I guess
during the time that was stillcovid time, and it turned out
that GBS was a side effect fromthe covid vaccine. Oh, so
everyone thought that I had aresponse to the covid vaccine.
Well, I had never had thevaccine at that time, because I
(16:20):
had went through everythingelse, everything else and and so
when they finally diagnosed me,um, that was in March of 2021. I
spent eight weeks in rehab. Hadto learn how to stand. I wasn't
even walking at that point. Ijust had to relearn how to stand
(16:43):
on my own two feet. So wait,
Jason Varga (16:45):
and you know, you kind of touch base on this as
well as working with you duringyour speech. You know, because
you say, you can Google it andeverything else, but just in a
sentence or two, could youdescribe like or what is,
exactly, is GBs?
Unknown (16:56):
So GBS is a neurological condition where
your body basically attacksitself. It attacks your immune
system and and so that's whathappened. That's why I was
having trouble eating, and Icouldn't keep food down, and my
body was attacking itself.
Jason Varga (17:16):
And then there's you're trying to you said, learn
how to walk again.
Unknown (17:19):
And I then actually didn't start until I was
discharged from rehab, becausethey were just managing my pain
right and and I kept falling,because my mind didn't register
that I couldn't walk. I kepttrying to get out of bed and
falling all over the place, orcalling my husband every day
like your wife fell again today,you know, because it just wasn't
(17:41):
registering that I couldn'twalk. And I finally said, Hey
you guys, you're not helping mewalk. You guys are treating my
pain. I keep falling. I said, Iwant to go home. I want to go
home. I called my dad, and Isaid, Dad, come get me. I asked
to speak to the charge, youknow, the doctor in charge and
and basically said, You guysaren't helping me. I need to go
(18:04):
home. I can get in home rehaband and that's what happened. So
I went home in May 2021, and Istill wasn't walking at the
time. Um, you know, I had thefull hospital layout in my
living room, I was wheelchairbound, and I began having in
(18:28):
home physical therapy with awonderful lady who, God's
amazing, who happened to be thefirst lady at a church whose
pastor showed up the night thatmy mom, my mom was murdered.
When I say she died, she didn'tjust die. She was murdered. And
he showed up at the policestation to, you know, be a
(18:48):
present comfort for the family.Well, it was his wife who was my
physical therapist at home, andI rounds around the seven month
mark is when they said, hey, youneed to now go outside of the
house for your physical therapy.We can't have you stay in home.
(19:11):
And so still wheelchair bound,and my husband's working, and
he's running me back and forthto physical therapy, and I
slowly regained my ability towalk. And I have it on video and
it I watch it from time to time,because I don't believe that's
what I went through, but it'sgood reminder and motivation. It
(19:33):
is, it is. And again, I justlike, I can't believe it. And so
I am thankful for thisopportunity. I didn't know it
entailed all of, you know, thethe workings and production and
everything, but yeah, I mean,it's a testimony, and I asked
God for a platform to be able totell it, and I didn't think it
(19:55):
would show up like this.
Jason Varga (19:57):
But so you want to do all you went through all of
that, and then you're. Like, Idon't want to go back to school.
I I had much of a challenge. Iwant to continue. I hadn't
Unknown (20:06):
been right because I had been out of work. Yeah, no,
I tried to return to work inFebruary before I fell down the
steps and I walked in. I was ona cane at that time, and I said,
Hey, I just can't physically. Ican't do this. And so they had
to fire me. They had to fire mebecause I had been out of work
(20:28):
already for three months,company policy, or whatever I
wanted, right? Oh, when you'reready and you're well, you can
come back and, you know, all ofthat. And and as I began to
walk, I'm like, I wasunemployed. I'm disabled, I've,
you know. And I said, What am I?How am I going to return to work
(20:49):
four years? Three years at thattime, I had already been out of
work when I realized, like I gotto figure out a plan something.
And I said, let's go back tonow, rcbc, let's see what they
can do. You can either go get acertification or like you, you
(21:11):
just have to gain something fromthis time that you have been out
of the workforce, so that whenyou do go back, you are
employable. Because I still havea disability, yeah, and I'm
honest about it. When they ask,Do you have a disability? I
said, Yeah, I do. And I startedfull time. I just jumped right
(21:33):
in. I didn't know how I wasgoing to pay for it. I didn't
know if I was going to be ableto do it, but I submitted the
application. I did the FAFSA. Igot grant funding, and I didn't
know what I was going for. Iknew I always had a business
mindset, like I said, most of mybackground had been in
(21:56):
administratively, in healthcare,and so I knew I wanted to do
something with businessadministratively.
Jason Varga (22:04):
And that's your official major business
administration. It is, did youget free ice cream in that
class?
Unknown (22:09):
No, but, you know, I did show up for the campus
kickoff and I got a pretzel. Imet Barry. I think his name is
transformation. Like I divesright into the student
experience, and now
Jason Varga (22:27):
you are getting ready to speak in front of your
peers for the for the graduationclass and graduating. See which
is, which is great. I like thefact that you you don't then,
not really knowing. Hopefullyyou know you can try to find
someone to guide you along. Butalso you're like, I'll deal with
that part later, because a lotof times people will get up in
their will get up in their headand they're like, how am I going
to pay for it? I don't. Am Itold to go back to school, or am
I going to do this, to go backto school and stuff too? It's
(22:49):
like, I don't care about I'lldeal with that stuff later. And
now you're a living example,especially of everything you
went through before that withyour mother and your health and
everything else. And now showingyou a great example. And here we
are on this special day ofDecember 10 to be able to Happy
birthday mom, yeah, but um, socongrats, and I'm glad you know
(23:10):
that you're here and getting toshare that story. Because you
know, as I talked to studentspeakers like yourselves, and
what I like to know when you'reyou know why you want to go and
speak in front of all yourpeers, right? And a story to
share. And sometimes it'sbecause if you can connect with
just one person in the audience,right, and inspire them to now
(23:30):
go, because maybe they're goingthrough their battles, whatever
it is, we all have our issues todeal with, right? And just to
connect with that one person andbeing like, you know what Sharia
was a great example for I don'thave an excuse why I shouldn't
be able to go back to school, ifI'm thinking about it, right? So
that's why I'm always incrediblyproud for you to get up here and
showcase because it's it goesbeyond education itself too.
(23:52):
It's just us humans in societyand be able to connect and grow
and inspire others to hope I cango out there and do great
things. So last but not least iswe have a third ceremony and a
third student speaker, Yvonne,Hi, how are you doing? I'm
great. Thank you. Yeah, itsounded like from your other
speech that you're pretty muchready to rock and roll.
Unknown (24:11):
Yeah, I think I'm pretty much ready. You know the
good well, the really luckycoincidence is that I'm kind of
preparing, like my personalstatements, all that for
transfers, so I could just kindof copy and paste parts of into
my speech. So that's why I wasable to get it done on time, and
I'm ready to speak.
Jason Varga (24:31):
What's gonna be here before we know it, and so
we're gonna have a finalrehearsal, but let's hear a
little bit your story. Andagain, first, as I asked the
other two, why did you choose togo and, you know, speak in front
of your class? Or is it justbecause you needed something
else to write in your 20 otherdegrees? Why not?
Unknown (24:48):
Actually, it was kind of like a funny coincidence. I
didn't even know I wasgraduating because I thought I
was going to graduate in springwith my other degrees. But. I
managed to complete one of thedegrees, like, earlier than
expected. So, yeah, one of fourdegrees. So I was kind of
(25:12):
shortlisted for wintercommencement, but I was, like,
fighting back and forth withwith, like, the registration
department. I was like, No, I'mnot graduating. I'm graduating
in spring. So I like, every timeI receive reminders to apply to
be the student speaker, I kindof just kept pushing back. And
it wasn't until my advisorreached out to me and she was
(25:34):
like, You're graduating thisdegree in winter, please. Like,
we've been talking to you takingso
Jason Varga (25:39):
many classes you don't even know when you're
graduating.
Unknown (25:42):
Yeah, like, why do you not believe us? I was, oh,
sorry. I thought it was like,all together. And then one of my
professors, Professor simber,who's my computer science
professor. I've taken him fortwo semesters now, he privately
reached out to me, and he waslike, Do you want to be the
student speaker. And again, Iwas, I'm not graduating. But
(26:05):
then he was like, No, you weregraduating, and I think you
should be the graduate, thecommencement speaker. And by
then, I think, like, thedeadline has already kind of
passed. So he helped me talk to,like, I think the committee and
like the acting president, andthen I was able to apply from
then on, yeah. So it was kindof, it happened kind of
Jason Varga (26:28):
quickly, yeah, yeah. Well, it's, I'm glad you
did it, because you got, youhave an exceptional story to
share, too, and kind of somewhaton the non traditional side,
because you've been out ofschool for a little while, and
you're out there traveling theworld and stuff. And let's hear
a little bit about your story,because you're not originally
from here. So where are youfrom? How'd you get here to
Mount Laurel and to rcbc itself?Right?
Unknown (26:47):
So I was born in Malaysia, and when I was 14, we
moved to Singapore, and then wefinally got our Singaporean
citizenship about 10 years agonow and so, but when we moved to
Singapore, we were, like,really, really poor, so we
(27:07):
didn't have the money. We didn'teven have a house to live in, so
we had to, like, rent, you know,living spaces, like a bedroom
with other migrant workers, andwe were trying to make ends
meet. So I started workingreally young. I started working
when I was 18, but I was alwaysthinking about going back to
(27:28):
school. I felt like I had thepotential, and I felt like it's
something that I can do. I justwas never given the opportunity
to so my first job I worked atas a salesperson for a bank, and
I every month from the day Iturned 18, which was when I
(27:48):
started working, I saved $500from when I was 18 to like when
I was 23 and then eventuallyfound my way to work for DHL
Express, which is ainternational multinational like
logistics career company. Andonce I got that job, I increased
my savings from $500 a month to$1,000 a month. And towards the
(28:09):
end of my career, which was1212, years long, towards the
end of it, I was saving aboutthree to $5,000 a month because
I was pushing really hard tohave enough money to go into
university. So to me, it wasnever like a question. So I'd
rather like not eat, and like,find ways to, like, scramble up
(28:29):
some food from other people. SoI save money, but I never
compromise on my savings. So Isaved up enough money, and when
I started applying to school, Ihad taken 12 years away from
since my high school, so none ofthe universities accepted my
application. And funny enough, Iactually thought one of them, or
(28:50):
some of them would, because theCEO of my company, regional
director of my company, seniorvice president of my company,
and I think the VP of commercialof my company, four of them,
like, really big shots in thelogistics industry, wrote
recommendations letter for me tosend to those universities, and
(29:11):
they just burned it. So, like,we don't want you.
Jason Varga (29:13):
So does Singapore have like, a, like, a age out
limit or something, like, if youdon't go to school for a certain
amount
Unknown (29:20):
of time, like you're just not allowed to, do like an
MBA. So they said, like you'reworking and we don't think
you're suitable for like abachelor's degree path. We think
you should do like a part timeMBA and or we think you should
go do like a prep course, like atwo year prep course, to then go
into a bachelor's program, but Ididn't want to do that, so I
(29:46):
looked for other alternatives.That was when I found out about
like, community colleges in theUS. And then I looked at areas
where I had direct flights, andthen I came across rcbc and a
few other. Community colleges,and I heard about the rcbc three
plus one program, which wouldsave me a lot of money, and I
(30:07):
applied. And rcbc was only onewhere the international
department and my advisor wasreally, really helpful. So they
responded very promptly. Theyhelped me even like the smallest
questions. So I was like, Ithink this is going to be the
school because I feel like aconnection, and I feel like
(30:28):
these people actually do careabout me, even though I haven't
even applied yet. So that's howI was just like, you know, I'm
gonna quit my job and bite thebullet and I will just do it.
And so I applied.
Jason Varga (30:39):
Yeah, well, I feel like I need to clip this whole
part of your question and answerso I can give it to my boss for
the marketing promotion ofsaying, like, you know how you
research, and we all came upwith three plus one and saving
money, and you're Googling allthe way from like Singapore,
but, but yes, I know ourinternational international
department is fantastic, and Ilove working with them and see
all the friendly faces on campusand stuff too. But to get here,
(31:03):
though, and part of your speech,she talked about how it took you
said, direct flight, yeah. Buthow long was that direct flight?
Unknown (31:09):
It was 18 and a half hours. It's actually fun fact,
the world's longest flight yourparticular right?
Jason Varga (31:16):
Yeah, wow. So you're gonna get a smoker world
records now too, 18 and a halfhours, though, like, first of
all, it's like you realize,like, you didn't think the world
was like that big, right?
Unknown (31:27):
Yeah, you know, Singapore is such a small
country. It's like a small city.I think it's smaller than
Philly. So going from one end tothe other end by car takes like,
an hour. So 18 and a half hours,I was like, straight die.
Jason Varga (31:44):
You watch a movie and you're like, now, what you
know?
Unknown (31:48):
I watched, like, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, like
on repeat.
Jason Varga (31:53):
Watch the entire prequel, sequel, everything,
yeah, the extended edition,yeah. And then you land in New
York, and you're like, now, thisis a city, right?
Unknown (32:01):
Yeah. And before I started school, I actually went
up to one, I think, Empire StateBuilding to look at the New York
City skyline. And I felt like,holy, like, I've never seen a
city this big, and I was a citygirl all my life, just just a
small city.
Jason Varga (32:20):
Well, that's the thing, until you get the actual
New York, you know, because weare, you know, about a half
hour, 20 minutes away fromPhilly, depending on your
traffic and stuff. But it's whenyou go to Philly, it's, or I go
to New York City, or, like,whoa, like, it's just a whole
nother type of city itself,yeah, and I've gone through so
many times because, you know, doa lot of concerts and
everything, and Philly's easybecause it's all in grits New
York. It's like, there's justdifferent ways, like, I get lost
(32:43):
so much, you know, there, andthe amount of times I try to go
there, just because of just themassive size that it is, but
then just all these crazybuildings and everything else so
tall, but, you know, so you endup here at Mount Laurel. Now
you're getting ready to speak,and it's just, it's incredible,
and your major specifically, is,
Unknown (33:01):
yeah, so I'm graduating my computer science degree this
winter, and then my physics,math and computer information
systems in spring.
Jason Varga (33:11):
Yeah, I feel like I didn't do enough in school.
Unknown (33:14):
I was like, honestly, it wasn't planned. So I started
off my first semester, mythought process was I was just
gonna front load my courses, sothen my last semester will be
really chill. So I took 18credits, and then I took, like,
some classes in the summer, andthen while I was taking all my
classes, I didn't really knowwhat I wanted to do, because I
(33:36):
was away from school for solong. So I just took a bunch of
STEM courses, I took a bunch ofphysics, and I took a bunch of
math and it took a bunch of,like, computer science courses,
and then I just keptoverloading. And then by like,
last semester, which was my mythird semester, I was like, Oh,
my advisor and I were talking,and I think I have enough
credits to be graduating withfour. So then I just put it on
(33:59):
paper. So that was how ithappened, but super impressive.
I'm gonna do computer sciencemoving forward.
Jason Varga (34:05):
Not your thing, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, I mean,
look, it's where the technologyis and everything else. So it's,
it's a great field to be in, youknow, and I know you're gonna
crush it when you go do it. AndI don't want to cut this short,
because I'm looking at time, andI could talk to you guys
forever. I do want to ask, youknow, and it's open, open to the
(34:25):
floor, anybody can speak orwhatever itself, though,
favorite moment of rcbc beforeyou get ready to bounce Well,
you know you're gonna be herefor another 20 degrees, so just
yet. But favorite moment here ofrcbc, or favorite rcbc
experience outside of ice creamand pretzels, okay,
Unknown (34:41):
I would say coming on campus to take a course, because
I have been distance learningthe entire time, and I failed
college algebra, and so I wasvery. Disappointed in myself, I
said, let's give this anothertry. So I took the accelerated
(35:05):
course, 10 week acceleratedcourse at night, in person, and
I loved it, yeah, like I didn'tthink I could enjoy math, and I
was one of four students in theclass, and the professor was
amazing. Olga professor, OlgaBarry. She had a very heavy
(35:29):
accent. I had a very difficulttime understanding her and
retaking the course that I hadalready failed, but I got a B,
wow. Yeah. And she restored mylove for math. That's good to
hear.
I think my favorite moment waslast semester, when my I had a
(35:52):
professor, obviously reallyclose to Professor crystal born.
She was actually the one thatnominated me for the Princeton
TSI thing, and she was retiringlast semester, so our class was
the last class she was teaching,and the last day of her work was
our finals. So all of us went infor our finals, but we had
(36:13):
actually planned, like, a secretparty for her. So she came in
with all the test papers, andthen we had, like, party poppers
and like, pizza, cake and like,lots of drinks and snacks. And
she was like, What are you guysdoing? This is finals. This is
your Cal two finals. Do not beplaying.
Jason Varga (36:29):
So happy to take finals.
Unknown (36:33):
Okay, but do your finals first. Yeah. So we all,
like, sat down and did ourfinals and then submitted our
test papers. And then she waslike, holding onto test papers
so no one can see the answerswhile we were celebrating. And
then we stayed behind after thetest to like, celebrate, and she
talked about her experiences,why she wanted to be a teacher.
(36:55):
And was very inspiring. And Ilove her, and I'm still in touch
with her, yeah, and that was myfavorite moment. It's a great
story
of it. I would just say myfavorite moment is every day,
because every day I come toschool, I'm so excited I have a
good friend, good friends I seelike a family, and also my job.
Whenever I resume my job, Iresume with excitement because
(37:18):
it gives me comfort. Me helpingstudents is what I find pleasure
in. So every day I come toschool, I'm excited, and that's
my every day is my favorite dayon campus.
Jason Varga (37:28):
I love to hear that. And I said, I know you're
going to be a great nurse,because, just because of just
that peer mentor stuff as well,and working some of that psych
in there too. Okay? And thenlast but not least, the thing
you're going to miss most abouthere, or maybe it's going to be,
not going to be on campus, Iguess, anymore, and seeing the
students.
Unknown (37:43):
But I would say I'm going to miss more are my
friends, yeah, because I'm goingto believe in New Jersey, I'm
relocating to another state, soI'm going to miss my friends
here, and also my family. Ihave, like a family, like a
friend here, that I'm going tomiss them so much when I leave,
and I'll say my professors too,because they were really
helpful. They helped me a lotwhen I was struggling in class.
(38:06):
They were always there to answermy questions, to reply my
emails. I'm going to miss themand to call it all, or I'm going
to miss our CBC as a community,because the school gave me a lot
of comfort. Our CBC was alwaysthere for me when I needed help.
When I needed anything, I wasalways reaching out to the
school for one or two things,which always get done. So I'm
(38:27):
going to miss our CBC. I'll missmy friends, and I'll miss my
family right here at New Jersey,when I
Jason Varga (38:34):
miss you too. Yeah, thank you, Sharia.
Unknown (38:38):
I'm going to miss solely being a distance learning
student. So I am in a three plusone program as well. So this is
my first Associates, and nextsemester, I have to take in
person classes for publicspeaking.
Jason Varga (38:54):
Well, look, look, you're doing this for the speech
right now. That's what you'redoing originally. You wasn't
about going to speak in front ofpeople. You want to prepare for
your public speaking. Want toprepare for your public Yeah,
you're gonna be all good. Andlook, if Olga can do it for math
and whoever you get right, allright, Yvonne, right.
Unknown (39:13):
I think I'll miss the professors the most. I think
especially the math and computerscience professors. So I've
heard from like, my friends whoare in other colleges and other
universities, and sometimes,like the professor can make a
break, like your learningexperience. And I think our
professors here are, like worldclass. I don't know why they're
(39:36):
teaching here, but I'm so lucky.Well, the money I play, I pay to
get this kind of education, itis amazing. I'm gonna miss them
a lot the kind of how caringthey are. And also, all my
achievements in rcbc has beenbecause my professors talk to me
and they're like, hey, there areopportunities around you. Like,
(39:57):
please apply. They're alwayslooking out for me. And they
teach in such a easy tounderstand way, and also, I'm
I'll miss a tutoring center justbecause I'm always camping
there.
Jason Varga (40:09):
Well, that's what it's always great to hear, is,
you know, the faculty gettingback to you, letting you know,
because there's so many thingsto unlock here at rcbc, right in
such a short time, because we'reCommunity College, and we're
preparing you to get into thenext chapter. Whether it's you
know, even if it's you get it'syou get the one extra year,
three plus one, but sometimesyou're transferring out, you're
doing whatever, just we offer somuch, and I'm glad you're able
(40:29):
to, you know, take it up, takeup those offers, and do what
you're doing. Getting here to bethe speakers. But I think I'm
gonna have to obviously recordthis whole episode. We might
have to just make this wholething. It was just one giant
advertisement for for rcbc,because, because you guys
provided some excellenttestimonials. Is there anything
else that you'd like to say? Imean, we know we're gonna be
(40:50):
hearing your speeches in just acouple of days, and you have
some inspirational stuff toshare with that, which I want to
save for that day, right?Because I was like to say, like,
you know, what would you say toyour fellow classmates or
classmates, but it will bebroadcasted live on our YouTube
channel thanks to our amazing EVteam, who's here shooting that
right now with Sam and Dan. Butwhat would you like to some
parting messages before you godo your final speech rehearsal?
Unknown (41:13):
I just want to encourage any student with a
disability to utilize theresources here at rcbc Student
Success Center, the counselors,the accommodations that's
available. Utilize it very, veryhelpful for getting me to where
I am today.
(41:35):
And I think I'd say, Beresourceful. I think that's
something that I really learnedin my career and me as a person,
how I started from, like,literally negative money and
being able to do what I want todo whatever I want to do now in
the future, it's really becausetake advantage of all the
resources around you and don't,don't forget that you're your
(41:57):
own greatest asset, and investin yourself Always, because you
are the only thing that is gonnaset the path for the
Jason Varga (42:05):
future. So don't get in your head too much.
Unknown (42:09):
I would just try. I like to advise that there's no
word like impossible. Onceyou've set your mind to it, you
should get it done, becausedetermination is the beginning
of success. So when youdetermine that this is what I
want to do, this is where I wantto be, like in nursing now, our
past grade is 80% but when I'mstudying, I don't aim 80. I hate
(42:32):
I aim higher, because I knowthat eventually, if I aim low,
I'm not going to be able toattain like, the success I want
to always like, there's nothinglike impossible you could
achieve it if I can do it thatany other person could. Yes,
that's just my advice.
Jason Varga (42:48):
Was advice taken. Hopefully everybody else takes
it as well. So next step, youknow, final rehearsal, speech
and then commencement here atthe Varga Hall auditorium for
winter 2025 commencement again.Congratulations to all three of
you. Thank you. Hope you had funcoming on the show here. Yeah.
Break it. Yeah. Break it up alittle bit from everything else
and your finals and all thatother stuff too. So I told you I
(43:10):
would just try to make a nicecasual conversation and share
your stories and get to get alittle bit of a deeper insight
into you, know, your worldsoutside of the speech that's
going to get ready to go on. Butas for anybody else listening.
Thanks for listening to theshow. We're gonna have a follow
up to this podcast special as wego to speak with some of the
students at the Student SuccessCenter after they graduate,
they'll walk on down the hall,auditorium, into the house or
(43:32):
the science building, and thenright into the Student Success
Center for selfies, food andeverything else. We always
encourage everybody to go overthere and check it out. Plus we
replay the loop everyone likesto get swatch themselves walk
across the stage and gettingtheir diploma. So but if they
happen to miss that again, we'llbe broadcasting it live on our
YouTube channel or on our mainwebsite@rcbc.edu where you can
get also all the information andresources that you need here for
(43:54):
Rowan College at BROWNS County.This is Jay Varga for the
program pod, and reminding youto subscribe to the podcast
wherever it is that you get yourpod or check it out on YouTube,
as we're now doing video, as Ihave said, thanks to Dan and
Sam, so cheers. Happy holidays,everybody, and I'll see all
three of you practical minutesas well for the commencement
itself. So thanks again. Thankyou. Thank you. You.
Welcome to the program pod, a national award
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers,
and back on location again, butthis time in a different
location. It's Jay Varga hereagain with the program pod, the
two time national award winningand it's the holiday season,
(00:23):
which means it's time foranother edition of our winter
commencement podcast special,the third installment, in fact,
here on the rcbc PodcastNetwork. And today we get to
speak with the winter 2025commencement student speakers,
and that's Omalayo Akinwole,Yvonne Tai, and Sherria Hannah,
who are all have someinteresting stories to share
(00:43):
which led them to being selectedand representing their peers in
just a few days. And here youare. How's everyone doing today?
Doing well, great. Thank you.Yeah. You guys are getting ready
for your commencement next weekand your speeches. Yeah, yeah.
We're, you know, getting readyto do the final rehearsal after
this podcast here. And just wantto take some time to get to get
to know you a little bit moreand get you out, you know,
because the sometimes the speechhas to be so serious, but also
(01:07):
so, you know, inspiring at thesame time. And it seems like,
you know, this year, actually,it was kind of thrown together a
lot faster than it has been inpast years. And you guys got
your speeches done prettyincredibly short time. How you
feeling about it,
Unknown (01:21):
feeling more confident. Yeah, each rehearse, I'm feeling
more confident.
Jason Varga (01:26):
How does it feel? As we're getting we're
broadcasting live here in thevoter Hall where the
commencement is gonna be takingplace, but we're on the stage,
and you got the bright lights,and, you know, the other day,
you got to hear yourself on theactual podium, with the with the
sound, and your voice goingaround the auditorium. How did
Unknown (01:41):
that sound? Very interesting. I think my voice
kind of sound really different,yeah, compared to how it sounds
like in my head. Actually, itsounds really different right
now.
Jason Varga (01:50):
Yeah, well, that's because, but a little broadcast
to it, you know, then for thepodcasting, so taking my radio
and compressing and doingeverything else, but that's why
we try to get everybody to getit comfortable with because, you
know, when I was telling you toprepare for your speeches, you
know, don't read it inside yourhead. You got to read it out
loud to hear how it's going tosound. And then it's a different
sound when you hear it on themicrophone and the podium,
because it's echoing a littlebit, so you feel a little more
(02:12):
comfortable and you're
Unknown (02:13):
feeling ready for it. Yeah, I am feeling ready. I
mean, I naturally just don'tlike the way I sound. Nobody
does for the first time heremyself, I was like, wow, right?
I wish we had more people tofill it up so I can get an
actual feel.
Jason Varga (02:29):
But yeah, well, then the human bodies will
absorb a lot of the sound,right? Like we're an empty
auditorium right now, so we havea lot of echo and reverb and
stuff too. So you're going tohave all the bodies your family
members and friends going to bein there too, and all your
peers. So it's going to be it'sgoing to be great, but it's
getting used to your voice, isone thing. That's why we do, you
know, some multiple stuff, butit's almost like the same time
when you hear your voice on avoicemail and you're like, I
(02:51):
really sound like that. I hatemy voice. But again, congrats.
You know, for being this year'sstudent speakers, we're doing
three different sessions thisyear. We're doing a little
different. We're not littledifferent. We're not doing it by
division. We're doing it by, youknow, alphabetically, right? So
I forget which one of you isgoing first, okay, so we'll
(03:11):
start with you, right? You knowwhat? First of all, why did you
want to, you know, go and be astudent speaker. Or, Why do you
want to apply for this award?
Unknown (03:24):
I was actually motivated by the past speakers,
and it's always been my dream tobe outstanding. I like to be
like the show. I just like tolike do the extraordinary when I
have the opportunity to so mestanding out as the speaker is
going to mean a lot to me and myfamily, and I know they are
(03:46):
really proud of me. I just liketo be different.
Jason Varga (03:49):
Yeah, yeah. Who was the Do you remember the
speaker's name?
Unknown (03:53):
I'm Taiwo. Oh, Taiwan. I'm prior to one of them were my
friends.
Jason Varga (03:57):
Okay, yeah, Taiwo was awesome. So I mean, I you
have such energy as well. But, Imean, Taiwo, she was out there
and she was crushing her she wasone of my favorite interviewers
when we were doing, you know,doing backstage and everything
else. So obviously you can heara little bit in your accent. So
don't think you're originallyfrom New Jersey, all right. No,
I'm from Nigeria, yes. So canyou tell us your story from, you
(04:18):
know, how I got to Nigeria, allthe way here to Mount Laurel.
Unknown (04:21):
So after my undergraduate in biochemistry,
so I finished from landmarkUniversity in Nigeria, and I
came here for my master's,actually in public health,
because that was why my dadactually told me to come to the
US to study, to be to mymaster's. So when I came here, I
resumed, and I was like, This isnot my passion. I wanted to be a
(04:42):
nurse. So that was when mypassion changed. And I checked
for affordable universities orcolleges online that I could,
like, take my nursing classes,sure. And I got, like, our CSJ,
like, the order will run. So Iwas thinking it was the same
school I applied. And I got tothe campus, and I realized that
the school was not just where Ibelonged. I always passed
(05:06):
through our CBC with the boss,and I was like, this school
looks so beautiful. I would liketo be here one day. Yeah, I
applied to our CBC, and I wasadmitted on my first day on
campus. I was offered, like,presses and ice cream. I was
like,
Jason Varga (05:21):
what's the catch here? I was like, Is
Unknown (05:23):
this free? And you're like, yeah, it's free. I was
like, Oh my God, this school isso nice. So I was able to have
purchases for the first time atour CBC. Then I took it with ice
cream. And in class I saw aNigerian boy ask a question.
After class, I went to approachhim, and I was like, You're from
Nigeria, right? I said, Yes, I'mfrom Nigeria. Then we had a
conversation, and he told me Icould get a job on campus. So I
(05:45):
applied, and I became a studentambassador on campus, and I also
got a job before then that I hadto, like, help the
neurodivergent students, like,adjust to the environment. So I
was able to do the job for awhile. Because of my studies and
other job, I could not retain somuch jobs. I had to, like, drop
one and focus on my studies withthe other job. So I'm still,
(06:07):
like, retaining my studentambassador job alongside with my
nursing program, doing mynursing program, I was also
doing, like, the healthsciences. I was taking two
majors at the same time just to,like, meet up the credits I was
doing the nursing, the healthsciences. I graduated from the
earth sciences. I picked uppsychology again. So I was doing
psychology alongside with mynursing, which was not really,
(06:29):
really easy, yeah. So it was abig, it was, like a very, very,
it was one of the other decisionI made, but here I
Jason Varga (06:36):
am, yeah, yeah. So what? What actually made you
gravitate towards nursing, sinceit wasn't the original, you
know,
Unknown (06:43):
passion, okay, I when I came to the US, before I came to
the US, my dad always wanted meto be a nurse, but I was like,
nurse. Why? But when I came tothe US, I saw the real impact
nurses have on people. And whenI see them on their scrub, they
look so attractive. And I waslike, I would actually like to
be on the scrub one day. I alsohave passion, because since I've
(07:04):
been a nurse, I have no regrets.I realized that that was
actually the passion I have formyself, because everything will
be going well for me, becausenursing is a few that you can't
just go into. If you don't havea passion for you, you're going
to get tired, yes, but becauseof the passion and the drive I
have in nursing, that's whatkept me going until this level
that I am right now.
Jason Varga (07:24):
Yes, it's means a lot to me, because my mom's a
nurse, my wife's a nurse, so andI know what they went through,
especially during covid, and,you know, just the sleepless
nights and everything else, andyou got to have the passion, but
you also have to have goodbedside manner, which sometimes
I tell my wife, you got to workon that a little bit. Maybe it's
just towards me, I don't reallyknow. But no, I totally see it
(07:46):
in your your energy andeverything else. And obviously
it's a great story. And whyyou're here, and I get to, you
know, share that passion to yourpeers and all the health
sciences, which are usually thecraziest bunch of folks there
during the, you know, duringcommencement and everything
else. So again, congrats, andI'm glad you're here. And I'm,
you know, I'm able to find, youknow, rcbc and how we made you
home. And I guess the sellingpoint is we don't really have to
(08:08):
promote anything. We just got togive away free ice cream on
campus, free pretzels and icecream. That's it was, sign up
and everything else. So we moveddown to the board who's speaking
second for the next secondceremony. I am all right,
Sharia, yes. How you doing? I'mwell. Thank you. Yeah. So you
have a different style story,and why don't you share that?
(08:30):
And actually, not first Why didyou apply, first of all, to be,
you know, a president or studentspeaker?
Unknown (08:37):
I don't know, because when, when I got the invitation,
initially, I wasn't going toapply, why I am very reserved
and private and personal and andI did not know all that it would
(08:58):
entail. And so I was telling mybrother about it, and he says,
you're going to do it, right?And I said, Nah, I don't know.
And he says, Well, this is whatyou prayed for. This could be
your opportunity. And so I said,Well, I'll, I'll apply, but if I
(09:20):
get chosen, I can't say 100%that I would accept it. And so I
waited till the day of thedeadline, of course, and I
didn't realize they needed arecommendation letter from
someone, faculty, staff. And Iwas like, Oh my gosh, I don't
(09:42):
have anybody because I wasdistance learning, so I did not
have the direct contact with theprofessors and but I was in
contact with my counselor,Reagan, regularly. Copeland,
Yes, awesome. She is. I knowshe's amazing, yep. And. So I
sent her an email and requestedthe letter, and I had just saw
(10:04):
her the day before. So again, Iwas not sure what I was going to
do, because I could have simplyasked in advance before I had to
submit the application, which isdue the next day, right? The
application without the letter?Yeah, and it was at that moment
that I knew I was going tocommit to putting forth my best
effort to complete theapplication and go through the
(10:25):
process. And so I did. And I'mnot sure the young lady's name
that I sent the email to, butshe responded back the next day
and said, hey, hey, we didn'tget your letter. And I said, I
know, I know, but Reagan's gonnasend it to you. And she did the
next day. And when I got theinvitation for the interview, I
(10:47):
said, Oh my gosh, this is thisis really happening. And I went
in, got the interview, and Iwalked away. I said, No, I'm not
going to get it. I'm just gladfor the opportunity to
interview, because I'm gettingback out there and into the
world and interacting withpeople. And I said, I'm gonna go
practice like it's a jobinterview, get myself some
(11:09):
experience. And and I went, andit was very intimidating. I will
say that process isintimidating. I've heard, you
know, it is very but when Ifinally got the call, I just
broke down the tears, yeah andthat. I didn't realize the
impact that this whole process,even just the interview process,
(11:32):
would have on me. But I'm glad Iapplied. I'm glad I got chosen,
and here I am being being open.
Jason Varga (11:43):
I would wear long sleeves, but I actually have
goosebumps, because it's like,it's a, you know, it's a great
story, because I know what youhad to go through to even get to
this point, just to apply. Canyou share a little bit of that?
Unknown (11:53):
Sure. So, okay, Jay, so in 1919
Jason Varga (12:04):
actually, I know our daughter's gonna be like
you're from the 1900s
Unknown (12:10):
seven, when I graduated high school, I knew at the time
that I wanted to go toBurlington County College, and
it was out in Pemberton, and Iapplied. I went through the
application process, and thenlife happened. My car broke
down, and I was working, and Inever pursued my education.
Well, as I got older, I startedworking, and I was in the
(12:35):
administrative field inbehavioral health, and they
always promoted, you know,advancement and progress. So
they sent me to a course onadministrative certifications
like Outlook and Microsoft andall that kind of stuff back in
2007 that's where Sharia Denniscomes from, because I applied at
(13:03):
that time when I was single andSharia Dennis. And for those
listening
Jason Varga (13:06):
right now, she's talking about that, because when
I had to confirm names,originally, email had Dennis,
and then I was like, No, tada.
Unknown (13:14):
And so I I had a an account back from 2007 and in
20. Fast forward, 2020, I lostmy mom. I lost my mom. Actually,
today's her birthday. That's whyI said, Yeah, together for you
(13:37):
guys, but today's her birthday,like
Jason Varga (13:38):
it's a reason, a purpose for it. Yeah, we had to
have this podcast, right?
Unknown (13:43):
And so in October 2020, she she passed. And at the time,
I was an office manager atLarchmont imaging radiology
center, and I was out, you know,before the leave, they give you
seven days for the passing ofyour mom, and I was due to
return to work that followingMonday, a week after my mom
(14:07):
passed and I had a stroke, I hada stroke, I did not return to
work as scheduled that day. Iwas always prompt on time and
and I guess my employer calledmy husband to say, Hey, your
wife didn't make it to work. Andso my husband, at the time, was
a bus driver, school bus driver,and he came home and he found me
(14:32):
in the bed, just confused anddazed. He didn't know what was
going on, so he took me to theemergency room, and turns out, I
had a stroke. I went throughrehabilitation for about three
months. The irony of this day inDecember, on December 10, that
(14:55):
is weird of 2020. Is the day Iwas discharged from rehab. And
it wasn't until two days beforethat that I found out I had a
stroke. I didn't even know I hada stroke because I thank God
didn't have any residual effectsfrom it, and I went home. Life
(15:15):
was going on. Life washappening. And then in February,
I began to get some pain in myfeet, and like just some
weakness, I was having troubleeating, and I lost about 100
pounds unintentionally. I wasabout this size at the time.
I've got an extra 15 on me now,but I lost 100 pounds. We all do
(15:37):
it during the holidays, and Ifell down the steps trying to
walk down the steps. And that'swhen my husband said, we we got
to go to the hospital, likesomething's wrong. And so I
spent about a month in thehospital, of them trying to
figure out what was wrong withme. I just was in a lot of pain,
and I couldn't bear weight on myfeet and and then that's when
(15:59):
they diagnosed me with, GBS,gileon Bar syndrome. And I guess
during the time that was stillcovid time, and it turned out
that GBS was a side effect fromthe covid vaccine. Oh, so
everyone thought that I had aresponse to the covid vaccine.
Well, I had never had thevaccine at that time, because I
(16:20):
had went through everythingelse, everything else and and so
when they finally diagnosed me,um, that was in March of 2021. I
spent eight weeks in rehab. Hadto learn how to stand. I wasn't
even walking at that point. Ijust had to relearn how to stand
(16:43):
on my own two feet. So wait,
Jason Varga (16:45):
and you know, you kind of touch base on this as
well as working with you duringyour speech. You know, because
you say, you can Google it andeverything else, but just in a
sentence or two, could youdescribe like or what is,
exactly, is GBs?
Unknown (16:56):
So GBS is a neurological condition where
your body basically attacksitself. It attacks your immune
system and and so that's whathappened. That's why I was
having trouble eating, and Icouldn't keep food down, and my
body was attacking itself.
Jason Varga (17:16):
And then there's you're trying to you said, learn
how to walk again.
Unknown (17:19):
And I then actually didn't start until I was
discharged from rehab, becausethey were just managing my pain
right and and I kept falling,because my mind didn't register
that I couldn't walk. I kepttrying to get out of bed and
falling all over the place, orcalling my husband every day
like your wife fell again today,you know, because it just wasn't
(17:41):
registering that I couldn'twalk. And I finally said, Hey
you guys, you're not helping mewalk. You guys are treating my
pain. I keep falling. I said, Iwant to go home. I want to go
home. I called my dad, and Isaid, Dad, come get me. I asked
to speak to the charge, youknow, the doctor in charge and
and basically said, You guysaren't helping me. I need to go
(18:04):
home. I can get in home rehaband and that's what happened. So
I went home in May 2021, and Istill wasn't walking at the
time. Um, you know, I had thefull hospital layout in my
living room, I was wheelchairbound, and I began having in
(18:28):
home physical therapy with awonderful lady who, God's
amazing, who happened to be thefirst lady at a church whose
pastor showed up the night thatmy mom, my mom was murdered.
When I say she died, she didn'tjust die. She was murdered. And
he showed up at the policestation to, you know, be a
(18:48):
present comfort for the family.Well, it was his wife who was my
physical therapist at home, andI rounds around the seven month
mark is when they said, hey, youneed to now go outside of the
house for your physical therapy.We can't have you stay in home.
(19:11):
And so still wheelchair bound,and my husband's working, and
he's running me back and forthto physical therapy, and I
slowly regained my ability towalk. And I have it on video and
it I watch it from time to time,because I don't believe that's
what I went through, but it'sgood reminder and motivation. It
(19:33):
is, it is. And again, I justlike, I can't believe it. And so
I am thankful for thisopportunity. I didn't know it
entailed all of, you know, thethe workings and production and
everything, but yeah, I mean,it's a testimony, and I asked
God for a platform to be able totell it, and I didn't think it
(19:55):
would show up like this.
Jason Varga (19:57):
But so you want to do all you went through all of
that, and then you're. Like, Idon't want to go back to school.
I I had much of a challenge. Iwant to continue. I hadn't
Unknown (20:06):
been right because I had been out of work. Yeah, no,
I tried to return to work inFebruary before I fell down the
steps and I walked in. I was ona cane at that time, and I said,
Hey, I just can't physically. Ican't do this. And so they had
to fire me. They had to fire mebecause I had been out of work
(20:28):
already for three months,company policy, or whatever I
wanted, right? Oh, when you'reready and you're well, you can
come back and, you know, all ofthat. And and as I began to
walk, I'm like, I wasunemployed. I'm disabled, I've,
you know. And I said, What am I?How am I going to return to work
(20:49):
four years? Three years at thattime, I had already been out of
work when I realized, like I gotto figure out a plan something.
And I said, let's go back tonow, rcbc, let's see what they
can do. You can either go get acertification or like you, you
(21:11):
just have to gain something fromthis time that you have been out
of the workforce, so that whenyou do go back, you are
employable. Because I still havea disability, yeah, and I'm
honest about it. When they ask,Do you have a disability? I
said, Yeah, I do. And I startedfull time. I just jumped right
(21:33):
in. I didn't know how I wasgoing to pay for it. I didn't
know if I was going to be ableto do it, but I submitted the
application. I did the FAFSA. Igot grant funding, and I didn't
know what I was going for. Iknew I always had a business
mindset, like I said, most of mybackground had been in
(21:56):
administratively, in healthcare,and so I knew I wanted to do
something with businessadministratively.
Jason Varga (22:04):
And that's your official major business
administration. It is, did youget free ice cream in that
class?
Unknown (22:09):
No, but, you know, I did show up for the campus
kickoff and I got a pretzel. Imet Barry. I think his name is
transformation. Like I divesright into the student
experience, and now
Jason Varga (22:27):
you are getting ready to speak in front of your
peers for the for the graduationclass and graduating. See which
is, which is great. I like thefact that you you don't then,
not really knowing. Hopefullyyou know you can try to find
someone to guide you along. Butalso you're like, I'll deal with
that part later, because a lotof times people will get up in
their will get up in their headand they're like, how am I going
to pay for it? I don't. Am Itold to go back to school, or am
I going to do this, to go backto school and stuff too? It's
(22:49):
like, I don't care about I'lldeal with that stuff later. And
now you're a living example,especially of everything you
went through before that withyour mother and your health and
everything else. And now showingyou a great example. And here we
are on this special day ofDecember 10 to be able to Happy
birthday mom, yeah, but um, socongrats, and I'm glad you know
(23:10):
that you're here and getting toshare that story. Because you
know, as I talked to studentspeakers like yourselves, and
what I like to know when you'reyou know why you want to go and
speak in front of all yourpeers, right? And a story to
share. And sometimes it'sbecause if you can connect with
just one person in the audience,right, and inspire them to now
(23:30):
go, because maybe they're goingthrough their battles, whatever
it is, we all have our issues todeal with, right? And just to
connect with that one person andbeing like, you know what Sharia
was a great example for I don'thave an excuse why I shouldn't
be able to go back to school, ifI'm thinking about it, right? So
that's why I'm always incrediblyproud for you to get up here and
showcase because it's it goesbeyond education itself too.
(23:52):
It's just us humans in societyand be able to connect and grow
and inspire others to hope I cango out there and do great
things. So last but not least iswe have a third ceremony and a
third student speaker, Yvonne,Hi, how are you doing? I'm
great. Thank you. Yeah, itsounded like from your other
speech that you're pretty muchready to rock and roll.
Unknown (24:11):
Yeah, I think I'm pretty much ready. You know the
good well, the really luckycoincidence is that I'm kind of
preparing, like my personalstatements, all that for
transfers, so I could just kindof copy and paste parts of into
my speech. So that's why I wasable to get it done on time, and
I'm ready to speak.
Jason Varga (24:31):
What's gonna be here before we know it, and so
we're gonna have a finalrehearsal, but let's hear a
little bit your story. Andagain, first, as I asked the
other two, why did you choose togo and, you know, speak in front
of your class? Or is it justbecause you needed something
else to write in your 20 otherdegrees? Why not?
Unknown (24:48):
Actually, it was kind of like a funny coincidence. I
didn't even know I wasgraduating because I thought I
was going to graduate in springwith my other degrees. But. I
managed to complete one of thedegrees, like, earlier than
expected. So, yeah, one of fourdegrees. So I was kind of
(25:12):
shortlisted for wintercommencement, but I was, like,
fighting back and forth withwith, like, the registration
department. I was like, No, I'mnot graduating. I'm graduating
in spring. So I like, every timeI receive reminders to apply to
be the student speaker, I kindof just kept pushing back. And
it wasn't until my advisorreached out to me and she was
(25:34):
like, You're graduating thisdegree in winter, please. Like,
we've been talking to you takingso
Jason Varga (25:39):
many classes you don't even know when you're
graduating.
Unknown (25:42):
Yeah, like, why do you not believe us? I was, oh,
sorry. I thought it was like,all together. And then one of my
professors, Professor simber,who's my computer science
professor. I've taken him fortwo semesters now, he privately
reached out to me, and he waslike, Do you want to be the
student speaker. And again, Iwas, I'm not graduating. But
(26:05):
then he was like, No, you weregraduating, and I think you
should be the graduate, thecommencement speaker. And by
then, I think, like, thedeadline has already kind of
passed. So he helped me talk to,like, I think the committee and
like the acting president, andthen I was able to apply from
then on, yeah. So it was kindof, it happened kind of
Jason Varga (26:28):
quickly, yeah, yeah. Well, it's, I'm glad you
did it, because you got, youhave an exceptional story to
share, too, and kind of somewhaton the non traditional side,
because you've been out ofschool for a little while, and
you're out there traveling theworld and stuff. And let's hear
a little bit about your story,because you're not originally
from here. So where are youfrom? How'd you get here to
Mount Laurel and to rcbc itself?Right?
Unknown (26:47):
So I was born in Malaysia, and when I was 14, we
moved to Singapore, and then wefinally got our Singaporean
citizenship about 10 years agonow and so, but when we moved to
Singapore, we were, like,really, really poor, so we
(27:07):
didn't have the money. We didn'teven have a house to live in, so
we had to, like, rent, you know,living spaces, like a bedroom
with other migrant workers, andwe were trying to make ends
meet. So I started workingreally young. I started working
when I was 18, but I was alwaysthinking about going back to
(27:28):
school. I felt like I had thepotential, and I felt like it's
something that I can do. I justwas never given the opportunity
to so my first job I worked atas a salesperson for a bank, and
I every month from the day Iturned 18, which was when I
(27:48):
started working, I saved $500from when I was 18 to like when
I was 23 and then eventuallyfound my way to work for DHL
Express, which is ainternational multinational like
logistics career company. Andonce I got that job, I increased
my savings from $500 a month to$1,000 a month. And towards the
(28:09):
end of my career, which was1212, years long, towards the
end of it, I was saving aboutthree to $5,000 a month because
I was pushing really hard tohave enough money to go into
university. So to me, it wasnever like a question. So I'd
rather like not eat, and like,find ways to, like, scramble up
(28:29):
some food from other people. SoI save money, but I never
compromise on my savings. So Isaved up enough money, and when
I started applying to school, Ihad taken 12 years away from
since my high school, so none ofthe universities accepted my
application. And funny enough, Iactually thought one of them, or
(28:50):
some of them would, because theCEO of my company, regional
director of my company, seniorvice president of my company,
and I think the VP of commercialof my company, four of them,
like, really big shots in thelogistics industry, wrote
recommendations letter for me tosend to those universities, and
(29:11):
they just burned it. So, like,we don't want you.
Jason Varga (29:13):
So does Singapore have like, a, like, a age out
limit or something, like, if youdon't go to school for a certain
amount
Unknown (29:20):
of time, like you're just not allowed to, do like an
MBA. So they said, like you'reworking and we don't think
you're suitable for like abachelor's degree path. We think
you should do like a part timeMBA and or we think you should
go do like a prep course, like atwo year prep course, to then go
into a bachelor's program, but Ididn't want to do that, so I
(29:46):
looked for other alternatives.That was when I found out about
like, community colleges in theUS. And then I looked at areas
where I had direct flights, andthen I came across rcbc and a
few other. Community colleges,and I heard about the rcbc three
plus one program, which wouldsave me a lot of money, and I
(30:07):
applied. And rcbc was only onewhere the international
department and my advisor wasreally, really helpful. So they
responded very promptly. Theyhelped me even like the smallest
questions. So I was like, Ithink this is going to be the
school because I feel like aconnection, and I feel like
(30:28):
these people actually do careabout me, even though I haven't
even applied yet. So that's howI was just like, you know, I'm
gonna quit my job and bite thebullet and I will just do it.
And so I applied.
Jason Varga (30:39):
Yeah, well, I feel like I need to clip this whole
part of your question and answerso I can give it to my boss for
the marketing promotion ofsaying, like, you know how you
research, and we all came upwith three plus one and saving
money, and you're Googling allthe way from like Singapore,
but, but yes, I know ourinternational international
department is fantastic, and Ilove working with them and see
all the friendly faces on campusand stuff too. But to get here,
(31:03):
though, and part of your speech,she talked about how it took you
said, direct flight, yeah. Buthow long was that direct flight?
Unknown (31:09):
It was 18 and a half hours. It's actually fun fact,
the world's longest flight yourparticular right?
Jason Varga (31:16):
Yeah, wow. So you're gonna get a smoker world
records now too, 18 and a halfhours, though, like, first of
all, it's like you realize,like, you didn't think the world
was like that big, right?
Unknown (31:27):
Yeah, you know, Singapore is such a small
country. It's like a small city.I think it's smaller than
Philly. So going from one end tothe other end by car takes like,
an hour. So 18 and a half hours,I was like, straight die.
Jason Varga (31:44):
You watch a movie and you're like, now, what you
know?
Unknown (31:48):
I watched, like, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, like
on repeat.
Jason Varga (31:53):
Watch the entire prequel, sequel, everything,
yeah, the extended edition,yeah. And then you land in New
York, and you're like, now, thisis a city, right?
Unknown (32:01):
Yeah. And before I started school, I actually went
up to one, I think, Empire StateBuilding to look at the New York
City skyline. And I felt like,holy, like, I've never seen a
city this big, and I was a citygirl all my life, just just a
small city.
Jason Varga (32:20):
Well, that's the thing, until you get the actual
New York, you know, because weare, you know, about a half
hour, 20 minutes away fromPhilly, depending on your
traffic and stuff. But it's whenyou go to Philly, it's, or I go
to New York City, or, like,whoa, like, it's just a whole
nother type of city itself,yeah, and I've gone through so
many times because, you know, doa lot of concerts and
everything, and Philly's easybecause it's all in grits New
York. It's like, there's justdifferent ways, like, I get lost
(32:43):
so much, you know, there, andthe amount of times I try to go
there, just because of just themassive size that it is, but
then just all these crazybuildings and everything else so
tall, but, you know, so you endup here at Mount Laurel. Now
you're getting ready to speak,and it's just, it's incredible,
and your major specifically, is,
Unknown (33:01):
yeah, so I'm graduating my computer science degree this
winter, and then my physics,math and computer information
systems in spring.
Jason Varga (33:11):
Yeah, I feel like I didn't do enough in school.
Unknown (33:14):
I was like, honestly, it wasn't planned. So I started
off my first semester, mythought process was I was just
gonna front load my courses, sothen my last semester will be
really chill. So I took 18credits, and then I took, like,
some classes in the summer, andthen while I was taking all my
classes, I didn't really knowwhat I wanted to do, because I
(33:36):
was away from school for solong. So I just took a bunch of
STEM courses, I took a bunch ofphysics, and I took a bunch of
math and it took a bunch of,like, computer science courses,
and then I just keptoverloading. And then by like,
last semester, which was my mythird semester, I was like, Oh,
my advisor and I were talking,and I think I have enough
credits to be graduating withfour. So then I just put it on
(33:59):
paper. So that was how ithappened, but super impressive.
I'm gonna do computer sciencemoving forward.
Jason Varga (34:05):
Not your thing, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, I mean,
look, it's where the technologyis and everything else. So it's,
it's a great field to be in, youknow, and I know you're gonna
crush it when you go do it. AndI don't want to cut this short,
because I'm looking at time, andI could talk to you guys
forever. I do want to ask, youknow, and it's open, open to the
(34:25):
floor, anybody can speak orwhatever itself, though,
favorite moment of rcbc beforeyou get ready to bounce Well,
you know you're gonna be herefor another 20 degrees, so just
yet. But favorite moment here ofrcbc, or favorite rcbc
experience outside of ice creamand pretzels, okay,
Unknown (34:41):
I would say coming on campus to take a course, because
I have been distance learningthe entire time, and I failed
college algebra, and so I wasvery. Disappointed in myself, I
said, let's give this anothertry. So I took the accelerated
(35:05):
course, 10 week acceleratedcourse at night, in person, and
I loved it, yeah, like I didn'tthink I could enjoy math, and I
was one of four students in theclass, and the professor was
amazing. Olga professor, OlgaBarry. She had a very heavy
(35:29):
accent. I had a very difficulttime understanding her and
retaking the course that I hadalready failed, but I got a B,
wow. Yeah. And she restored mylove for math. That's good to
hear.
I think my favorite moment waslast semester, when my I had a
(35:52):
professor, obviously reallyclose to Professor crystal born.
She was actually the one thatnominated me for the Princeton
TSI thing, and she was retiringlast semester, so our class was
the last class she was teaching,and the last day of her work was
our finals. So all of us went infor our finals, but we had
(36:13):
actually planned, like, a secretparty for her. So she came in
with all the test papers, andthen we had, like, party poppers
and like, pizza, cake and like,lots of drinks and snacks. And
she was like, What are you guysdoing? This is finals. This is
your Cal two finals. Do not beplaying.
Jason Varga (36:29):
So happy to take finals.
Unknown (36:33):
Okay, but do your finals first. Yeah. So we all,
like, sat down and did ourfinals and then submitted our
test papers. And then she waslike, holding onto test papers
so no one can see the answerswhile we were celebrating. And
then we stayed behind after thetest to like, celebrate, and she
talked about her experiences,why she wanted to be a teacher.
(36:55):
And was very inspiring. And Ilove her, and I'm still in touch
with her, yeah, and that was myfavorite moment. It's a great
story
of it. I would just say myfavorite moment is every day,
because every day I come toschool, I'm so excited I have a
good friend, good friends I seelike a family, and also my job.
Whenever I resume my job, Iresume with excitement because
(37:18):
it gives me comfort. Me helpingstudents is what I find pleasure
in. So every day I come toschool, I'm excited, and that's
my every day is my favorite dayon campus.
Jason Varga (37:28):
I love to hear that. And I said, I know you're
going to be a great nurse,because, just because of just
that peer mentor stuff as well,and working some of that psych
in there too. Okay? And thenlast but not least, the thing
you're going to miss most abouthere, or maybe it's going to be,
not going to be on campus, Iguess, anymore, and seeing the
students.
Unknown (37:43):
But I would say I'm going to miss more are my
friends, yeah, because I'm goingto believe in New Jersey, I'm
relocating to another state, soI'm going to miss my friends
here, and also my family. Ihave, like a family, like a
friend here, that I'm going tomiss them so much when I leave,
and I'll say my professors too,because they were really
helpful. They helped me a lotwhen I was struggling in class.
(38:06):
They were always there to answermy questions, to reply my
emails. I'm going to miss themand to call it all, or I'm going
to miss our CBC as a community,because the school gave me a lot
of comfort. Our CBC was alwaysthere for me when I needed help.
When I needed anything, I wasalways reaching out to the
school for one or two things,which always get done. So I'm
(38:27):
going to miss our CBC. I'll missmy friends, and I'll miss my
family right here at New Jersey,when I
Jason Varga (38:34):
miss you too. Yeah, thank you, Sharia.
Unknown (38:38):
I'm going to miss solely being a distance learning
student. So I am in a three plusone program as well. So this is
my first Associates, and nextsemester, I have to take in
person classes for publicspeaking.
Jason Varga (38:54):
Well, look, look, you're doing this for the speech
right now. That's what you'redoing originally. You wasn't
about going to speak in front ofpeople. You want to prepare for
your public speaking. Want toprepare for your public Yeah,
you're gonna be all good. Andlook, if Olga can do it for math
and whoever you get right, allright, Yvonne, right.
Unknown (39:13):
I think I'll miss the professors the most. I think
especially the math and computerscience professors. So I've
heard from like, my friends whoare in other colleges and other
universities, and sometimes,like the professor can make a
break, like your learningexperience. And I think our
professors here are, like worldclass. I don't know why they're
(39:36):
teaching here, but I'm so lucky.Well, the money I play, I pay to
get this kind of education, itis amazing. I'm gonna miss them
a lot the kind of how caringthey are. And also, all my
achievements in rcbc has beenbecause my professors talk to me
and they're like, hey, there areopportunities around you. Like,
(39:57):
please apply. They're alwayslooking out for me. And they
teach in such a easy tounderstand way, and also, I'm
I'll miss a tutoring center justbecause I'm always camping
there.
Jason Varga (40:09):
Well, that's what it's always great to hear, is,
you know, the faculty gettingback to you, letting you know,
because there's so many thingsto unlock here at rcbc, right in
such a short time, because we'reCommunity College, and we're
preparing you to get into thenext chapter. Whether it's you
know, even if it's you get it'syou get the one extra year,
three plus one, but sometimesyou're transferring out, you're
doing whatever, just we offer somuch, and I'm glad you're able
(40:29):
to, you know, take it up, takeup those offers, and do what
you're doing. Getting here to bethe speakers. But I think I'm
gonna have to obviously recordthis whole episode. We might
have to just make this wholething. It was just one giant
advertisement for for rcbc,because, because you guys
provided some excellenttestimonials. Is there anything
else that you'd like to say? Imean, we know we're gonna be
(40:50):
hearing your speeches in just acouple of days, and you have
some inspirational stuff toshare with that, which I want to
save for that day, right?Because I was like to say, like,
you know, what would you say toyour fellow classmates or
classmates, but it will bebroadcasted live on our YouTube
channel thanks to our amazing EVteam, who's here shooting that
right now with Sam and Dan. Butwhat would you like to some
parting messages before you godo your final speech rehearsal?
Unknown (41:13):
I just want to encourage any student with a
disability to utilize theresources here at rcbc Student
Success Center, the counselors,the accommodations that's
available. Utilize it very, veryhelpful for getting me to where
I am today.
(41:35):
And I think I'd say, Beresourceful. I think that's
something that I really learnedin my career and me as a person,
how I started from, like,literally negative money and
being able to do what I want todo whatever I want to do now in
the future, it's really becausetake advantage of all the
resources around you and don't,don't forget that you're your
(41:57):
own greatest asset, and investin yourself Always, because you
are the only thing that is gonnaset the path for the
Jason Varga (42:05):
future. So don't get in your head too much.
Unknown (42:09):
I would just try. I like to advise that there's no
word like impossible. Onceyou've set your mind to it, you
should get it done, becausedetermination is the beginning
of success. So when youdetermine that this is what I
want to do, this is where I wantto be, like in nursing now, our
past grade is 80% but when I'mstudying, I don't aim 80. I hate
(42:32):
I aim higher, because I knowthat eventually, if I aim low,
I'm not going to be able toattain like, the success I want
to always like, there's nothinglike impossible you could
achieve it if I can do it thatany other person could. Yes,
that's just my advice.
Jason Varga (42:48):
Was advice taken. Hopefully everybody else takes
it as well. So next step, youknow, final rehearsal, speech
and then commencement here atthe Varga Hall auditorium for
winter 2025 commencement again.Congratulations to all three of
you. Thank you. Hope you had funcoming on the show here. Yeah.
Break it. Yeah. Break it up alittle bit from everything else
and your finals and all thatother stuff too. So I told you I
(43:10):
would just try to make a nicecasual conversation and share
your stories and get to get alittle bit of a deeper insight
into you, know, your worldsoutside of the speech that's
going to get ready to go on. Butas for anybody else listening.
Thanks for listening to theshow. We're gonna have a follow
up to this podcast special as wego to speak with some of the
students at the Student SuccessCenter after they graduate,
they'll walk on down the hall,auditorium, into the house or
(43:32):
the science building, and thenright into the Student Success
Center for selfies, food andeverything else. We always
encourage everybody to go overthere and check it out. Plus we
replay the loop everyone likesto get swatch themselves walk
across the stage and gettingtheir diploma. So but if they
happen to miss that again, we'llbe broadcasting it live on our
YouTube channel or on our mainwebsite@rcbc.edu where you can
get also all the information andresources that you need here for
(43:54):
Rowan College at BROWNS County.This is Jay Varga for the
program pod, and reminding youto subscribe to the podcast
wherever it is that you get yourpod or check it out on YouTube,
as we're now doing video, as Ihave said, thanks to Dan and
Sam, so cheers. Happy holidays,everybody, and I'll see all
three of you practical minutesas well for the commencement
itself. So thanks again. Thankyou. Thank you. You.
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