July 24, 2023 • 23 mins
We wrap up our three-part 2023 RCBC Commencement coverage special with a focus on the 2023 STEM ceremony. We'll speak with the 2023 RCBC President's Award winner Sarah Heil and her inspirational success story, catch up with STEM graduates and hear highlights from this memorable event.
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Jason Varga (00:00):
And welcome to the program pod a national award
(00:03):
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network, which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc. through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers,
kind of changing up a little bitover the summertime here again,
Jay Varga, with your host, theprogram pod. And this is one of
our parts of the commencementseries going all summer long
here for the kind of like flowflashback of the 2023 rcbc
(00:28):
graduation, the commencementseries going down and on this
episode, we're going to speakwith Sarah, Heil. All right, Hi,
Sarah, how are you doing? Good.You're the 2023 President's
Award winner, one of the otherones, and you'll be speaking in
front of the STEM class, right?You're excited for it. I am
excited nervous to we're goingto pull some of your your speech
(00:48):
a little bit later on. I'm goingto go around, talk to some of
the STEM students and such. Butagain, I'm breaking up all this
commencement series, someparting and out and just want to
get to know you a little bit andtalk about your accolades and
stuff, because you have thisprestigious award, one of the
top three, and the graduatingclass, so kudos to you. So first
of all, you know, then listen toyour speech, it's pretty heavy.
And it's something I you know, Ican relate, and we'll probably
(01:10):
get into in just a second. Butso how did you end up at rcbc in
the first place?
Sarah Heil (01:15):
Oh, I wasn't gonna go to college at first, because
I was into strictly having myart business. And I was just
going to do that. And I got ascholarship, a full ride to go
for art, and decided not to dothat and to just focus on the
business. It wasn't until abouta year later, when I decided I
needed to do more than that. Andthen that's when I started
(01:36):
looking into psychology and anrcbc came around. And it just
was like a perfect fit
Jason Varga (01:40):
the perfect fit. Now, did you ever think you were
going to be speaking in front ofthe 2023 graduating class, let
alone being a president's awardwinner?
Sarah Heil (01:47):
Absolutely not. Never thought it would happen?
Yeah. You want to
Jason Varga (01:51):
give a little bit of a background of your your
journey? Because it seems like,you know, you're such an
inspiration for what, from whatI was listening, but can you
tell the listeners who may ormay not be able to hear the
whole speech, and I'll tell themwhere they can go a little bit
later. But journey is kind oflike another journey of how do
you kind of got the rcbc and howyou were able to kind of fight
through everything that you wentthrough?
Sarah Heil (02:10):
Yeah, so I had to fight through a lot. A lot of
different trauma throughout mylife moving to several homes, I
had six over my lifetime. Onewas a hotel, I witnessed death
in front of me, I was sexuallyassaulted. How to fam family
with alcohol and drug abuse. AndI had a lot that affected me and
turned into different mentaldisorders. And I had to battle
(02:34):
along with trying to keep upwith everything.
Jason Varga (02:37):
Yeah, and it's tough, because I mean, I had a
brother in law about battleddrug addiction and alcohol
addiction, and we kind of werewaiting for it. And eventually
he did. And it's tough. I wasn'tin school, though. And like,
that's schoolwork alone is aheavy load. So here you are.
You're battling all this stuff.And now you're maintaining a
perfect 4.0 You mix up into afew different honors societies.
(02:59):
Can you tell me a little bitmore about that experience and
how it affected your personaldevelopment?
Sarah Heil (03:03):
Yeah, it was rough. So there was lots of days where
I didn't think I would be ableto get through what I had to get
through or just push on. And itwas battling my disorders and
literally crying sometimesthrough writing essays. And it
was the motivation anddetermination that that
(03:23):
eventually built the steppingstones to seeing that what I had
gone through was now the reasonI was succeeding, if that makes
sense.
Jason Varga (03:33):
Sure. How did that become then to decide to study
these neurotoxins, as you'vekind of brought out into your
speech, which again, people getto hear a little bit. So that
Sarah Heil (03:42):
was by accident that I came across that I work. I'm a
paraprofessional, so I work withchildren with autism as a one on
one. Awesome, yeah. So one day,I was sitting there thinking
because it's not completelyunderstood how autism comes
about. And I was wondering if ithas something to do with what
the mother was ingesting becausethe mother gets nutrients, and
it gives it to the baby. So Iwas thinking, if they were
(04:04):
consuming toxins, neurotoxins,it would travel through the baby
and affect the baby. And Iresearched it online. And I
found out that it did correlate.And then from there, I reached
out even more, and I found thatit correlated to pretty much
like, pretty much like anymental health or physical health
(04:25):
disorder, the neurotoxins are intheir air food or water
environment. They're terrible.And they're linked to like
everything.
Jason Varga (04:33):
Now, this is kind of this this correlate to a
study that just started homelike these neurotoxins, are you
reading back some of your biothat you're working on this? The
study and you conduct at yourhouse of air purifiers and such
and how if you get sick or not alot faster than the neurotoxin
type thing correlate to that?
Sarah Heil (04:52):
Yeah. So um, once I started researching that, I
started what got into thestudent research program here.
rcbc and I connected with amentor Mala, don't want to get
her last name, Laura Jhala TikiI think it is. And I did an in
home experiment where I put aircarbon filters in my home, and
(05:14):
reverse osmosis and filters onevery shower and water and
bathroom in the house, bathroomand kitchen. And from there, I
tested every day for two weeks,all the rooms of the house all
the water. And that was mybaseline. And then I did again
another two weeks every nightwater with the new stuff. And so
all the one that was implementedwith the reverse osmosis and all
(05:37):
that, and I tracked it and I didsee that there was a decrease in
health problems with humans, theanimals, it was kind of iffy.
But the humans it did show adecrease over time.
Jason Varga (05:47):
I know a little bit of reverse osmosis. But that's
only because I'm in a breweryand I had to take to do water
treatment, and I'm purifying andstuff. So it's kind of like, but
not to what you're doing. AndI'm afraid to do any kind of
your study in my house because Idon't really know. I feel like
almost I developed superhumanpowers because of what was
maybe, you know, in my house andsuch, you know, now you hear you
(06:08):
know, rcbc and you're gettingready to go on. So where do you
where do you see yourself in acouple years from now? Like,
what's, what's next? What's thenext chapter?
Sarah Heil (06:15):
Yes, so right now, I'm kinda like, between, I was
gonna go for clinical. And nowI'm leaning more towards the
research aspect in psychology,no matter what path I do, I want
to get my doctorate. Andcontinue research, even if I do
do the clinical route, or evenif I blend them both, I'm
interested in neuroscience, so Imight go that route, too. So
(06:36):
that part's a little up in theair. But the first sure is, I'm
definitely going to try to getmy doctorate.
Jason Varga (06:41):
So awesome. Now, so what has been your favorite
moment, then here at rcbc? Onyour path, becoming eventually
getting a doctorate? Like with aclass standout? Or any moment, a
teacher or anything? Somethinghappened on the quad? I don't
really know.
Sarah Heil (06:55):
Yeah, so probably the student research program
that I'm in, because that led meto kind of get to the path shift
that I'm at now to where I'mleaning more off clinical more
towards research. It was a goodexperience, because I've found
out things that are changing mylife completely in the way I
live in my own health andleading me to more health
healthy paths do and what didyou find out? Yeah, so I did a
(07:19):
part of that spearmint, I did ablood test and just track how
much heavy metal was in myblood. And I just found
dangerously high copper levelsto where and if it was any
higher, like you could die orhave brain damage. So knowing
that and now changing what I dowith my food and my water, I'm
going to be able to bring itdown so that way, it won't end
(07:40):
up bad. But
Jason Varga (07:42):
yeah, so Alright, so that's all inside the
classroom and stuff and probablylistening to your speech and
looking over some of my notesand such. And we even have an
extra right over here next to uspeople to try to paint a picture
for the listeners. Your art whenwe're putting your art display
on the website is going to be upthere on stage and graduation.
Your art business now. You saidyou started this before even got
(08:03):
into college? Senior year highschool. Okay, can you let's talk
about Paul get away. Like, youknow, we have a website for it.
What is it? What's your artabout? You know, go for it.
Sarah Heil (08:11):
Yeah, so I don't want a website. I do have a
Facebook, it's there, Ohio,custom art. And then my
Instagram is art pixie. Um, Iwas interested in art throughout
my middle school, high schoolyears, it just really picked up
in high school. And it picked upa lot then because all those
trauma and things I was goingthrough, I needed an outlet. So
I turned to art and I was eatinglunches in the art room because
(08:34):
at the time I kind of separatedfrom my whole friend group I
didn't really have anywhere togo. So I would spend my time in
their paint all day. And then Iwas painting a lot of more
darker art, more cathartic art,which was one of my outlets. And
then I realized that I needed todo something to help me continue
moving forward. And that waswhen the business came in. What
(08:55):
else
Jason Varga (08:56):
do you do like as a hobby because I, You listed a
whole bunch of data speeds. Icouldn't keep up so much you
explain to her tell thelisteners what else do you do?
Sarah Heil (09:05):
Yeah, so I recently got into horseback riding. So
equestrian. I'm learning theaccordion now and taking I just
got a camera coming in today. Sotaking up photography, but
besides that I do cook big I sewcrochet. I do the research and I
consider psychology like a hobbytoo, because I enjoy it. And
then I write a lot in theprogress of trying to write a
(09:28):
book and bowling. There'sprobably more that I just can't
think of
Jason Varga (09:34):
there is actually there is beekeeping. Yeah. The
biggest thing, right, right.Yeah. So how did this start?
Yeah, so
Sarah Heil (09:42):
that was part of the research study that I was doing
and I came across bees and howgreat they are. And I've always
had an interest in beekeeping ingeneral. So it just seemed like
a good thing to just combinethem both. So they came last
week. They're in the hive now,and it's really interesting to
watch them And I'm going tostudy them as they flourish and
(10:05):
grow my garden, my veggiegarden, help it make it non
toxic and organic. And then whenI start producing, I'm going to
take the honey, the pollen, andall that good stuff and turn it
into non toxic candles becausethey burn clean. The raw honey,
I'm gonna sell that. So I'll bemy second business from the
bees.
Jason Varga (10:23):
Don't think you ever stop. That's awesome.
Before we wrap it up, because,again, I do want to play a clip
your speech and your speech willbe on YouTube as well for
everybody's seen stream and getyou already for that. But what
would you say? I'm not sure ifyou said in your speech or not.
But what would you say? You wishyou knew more about maintaining
(10:43):
on the academic and professionalcareer while suffering from the
mental disorders? What would yousay? People you wish people knew
more about that?
Sarah Heil (10:50):
It's a lot harder. Because there's a disadvantage
when you have mental disordersyou're trying to play catch up
to keep up with everyone else.And that's something that I
think a lot of people don'talways understand. But people
who do have mental disordersthey deem as as incapable or
weak or not smart enough. Andit's not true. And I believe
(11:11):
that myself for a long time. Soit's just believing that you can
even if you're not on the sameplaying field, you can get there
and sometimes further dependingon
Jason Varga (11:22):
what you do. Like it's kind of parlay that
question then your outgoingmessage to the class of 2023.
What would you like to say toyour fellow classmates
Sarah Heil (11:32):
to not give up and like no matter who says it, or
even if you yourself if youbelieve that you can't excuses
are excuses. And if you want itbad enough, you can, you can
have anything you want. And youcan do anything that you want in
life, no matter what you've beenthrough what you've got going
on. There's always a way to findyour path. Even if it takes
(11:53):
time. It can take a while yearseven, but you can do it.
Jason Varga (11:57):
Awesome. Well, I know you're gonna do awesome,
not only on Wednesday orThursday, I guess it is for the
commencement speech. But just inlife in general. I'm really
proud of you. I'm happy for you.And I wish you the best of luck
and everything else. We aregonna hear from your club a
little bit later on. But any anyshout out you want to say hello
to anybody any farewell plugs oranything like that before we
(12:18):
wrap it up.
Sarah Heil (12:19):
Oh yeah, the shout out to all the graduating class
of 2023 and congratulations toall them. Congratulations to
madaline the valedictorian andTaylor, our other Presidents
Award winner. And then ofcourse, a big thank you to
everyone in my life who has gotme help to get this far and
everything so yeah.
Jason Varga (12:37):
Awesome. Well, it's great to have you on the show.
And again, it's Sarah, Ohio.2023 president award winner the
other one that's gonna bespeaking for the STEM class and
I looking forward to the speechand good luck with that. Thank
you. So day two, here we are onthe behind both auditorium
Barry's behind me doing stuffand starting to speak with now
the STEM students. So what do Ihave with me? Right? No,
Unknown (13:00):
I'm Grace McGowan. Grace. And
Jason Varga (13:01):
were you from Southampton, New Jersey. Okay,
the Oh 808 Yeah, I'm tabernacle.Yeah. Okay. Okay, so Seneca
Okay, obviously you'regraduating from stem today. What
was your specialization?
Unknown (13:13):
I am majoring in chemistry, chemistry.
Jason Varga (13:16):
Okay. So how was your experience here at rcbc It
was really good.
Unknown (13:19):
I made a lot of friends. All the professors have
been the absolute best. Likethat's the number one thing I
can say about the schoolprofessors top notch love them.
And overall, it's been a reallygood experience and helped me
move on.
Jason Varga (13:30):
So speaking of moving on, what is next?
Unknown (13:31):
So next is going to Rowan and then earning my
bachelor's from there. Hopefullya semester early, which will be
nice.
Jason Varga (13:38):
What was your favorite experience here then?
rcbc. Obviously the professor'sbut did you have a favorite
professor favorite class? Afavorite moment?
Unknown (13:45):
I would say probably my favorite professor was Professor
Sherlock I mean has to be myfavorite as a chem major. He was
awesome with organic chemistrymade class really fun, even
though it's supposed to bereally hard class. He made it
really fun. And then overallexperiences. I think my favorite
one was being the president of aclub here. That was really
awesome. And being able tocreate the community service
events and see people do servicehere was really nice.
Jason Varga (14:07):
And what Club was that? That was Circle K Club
parting message to your fellowclassmates.
Unknown (14:11):
Keep giving it your all. Don't ever give up. Chase
the things that you want. Don'tlet people influence you and
just do the best that you can.Awesome.
Jason Varga (14:19):
All right, bring you on the spot now. What's your
name?
Unknown (14:20):
Yeah, now Mendoza,
Jason Varga (14:22):
Mendoza. And where are you from?
Unknown (14:24):
I'm from willingboro, New Jersey, but I'm originally
from the Bronx in New York.
Jason Varga (14:28):
So what brought you to rcbc?
Unknown (14:29):
I would say one to get a hold of like my college
experience, like how it would belike and I will say it's been
really amazing as like a conferCommunity College I would say
this is a great start for anyonewho's like new to the college
experience and don't want tolike straight like start right
away and like obtain everything.
Jason Varga (14:47):
What's your major? Obviously, we know you're
graduating with STEM, but
Unknown (14:49):
what's your major mechanical engineering
technology?
Jason Varga (14:51):
So what was your favorite experience then? And
maybe your favorite professor aswell.
Unknown (14:54):
So shout out to Professor Wilson who's always
helped me throughout these pastfew semesters. As he is one of
my favorite professors, becauseno matter what he will always
encourage me to keep goingforward.
Jason Varga (15:05):
Did you have a favorite experience or moment or
anything here to happen oncampus?
Unknown (15:09):
I will say all the friends that I made, I will say
that throughout these past twoyears, I made really great
friendships that I hope to stillkeep in the future. And I was in
my most favorite moment wasbecoming president of a club as
well. And we'll call was thatthe rcbc? Elf club?
Jason Varga (15:25):
Oh, congratulations on that. What's the what's the
next plans then?
Unknown (15:28):
I'm still waiting on a decision from TCNJ. But
hopefully I get in there. Hi.Thank
Jason Varga (15:33):
you. Well, in the meantime, though, any farewell
message or you know,congratulatory messages you like
to say for poet classmates of2023.
Unknown (15:40):
I would say keep pursuing your dreams don't give
up no matter how hard life gets.
Jason Varga (15:45):
What's your name?
Unknown (15:46):
Christopher's Alinsky.
Jason Varga (15:47):
Christopher, where are you from?
Unknown (15:49):
I'm from willingboro, as well.
Jason Varga (15:51):
Okay, and what brought you to rcbc?
Unknown (15:52):
I didn't really know what I wanted to do yet. So I
kind of came here just forexperience, and to kind of learn
how college would be like, and Ikind of felt like it helped a
lot to go here.
Jason Varga (16:02):
So what's your major then obviously, your main
and stem as well.
Unknown (16:05):
My major was in general engineering,
Jason Varga (16:07):
was that something you originally wanted to go for?
Like you said he didn't reallyknow. Yeah, I
Unknown (16:11):
didn't really know what to focus on yet. So that's why I
went broad with generalengineering, just until I
figured out what I wanted. What
Jason Varga (16:18):
was it about engineering and stem that kind
of that's, you know, like, thatwas your direction.
Unknown (16:22):
I always kind of enjoyed engineering, I always
thought it was a pretty coolcareer. And I have focused now I
kind of chose what I wanted tofor my transfer College. I'm
going to be going intoelectrical and computer
engineering, because it's thestuff that I'm kind of most
interested in. And what collegeis that at Rowan.
Jason Varga (16:37):
So what was your favorite experience, then here.
So far,
Unknown (16:39):
I enjoyed the people, the people here are nice, which
is a good thing, a goodenvironment to be around. And
the teachers are. They're alsovery nice. They're also very
helpful. They're really, theyreally helped you get through
what kind
Jason Varga (16:51):
of kept you going through the semester was their
favorite snacks, music orsomething like that, what got
you through to get to where youare today?
Unknown (16:56):
Well, I always look for the end goal, I really
appreciate kind of getting mydegree and then working in the
field. So my drive has been towork through it and kind of
achieve my goals and then get ajob in something that I enjoy.
Jason Varga (17:10):
never work a day in your life. They say write your
message to your fellowclassmates here for STEM 2023 at
rcbc. You have
Unknown (17:17):
to work hard, there's no earthly way around it. You
have to keep on studying, youhave to keep on asking for help.
You have to keep on askingquestions. There's really no way
around that because you're notgoing to learn anything if you
don't ask any questions.
Jason Varga (17:28):
All right, just talk to no another rcbc Student
catch up with some of hisclassmates talking about making
some beats afterwards. So I'mkind of curious who I got with
me now. What's your name?
Unknown (17:37):
My name is Sramana SML.
Jason Varga (17:38):
And where are you from?
Unknown (17:39):
I'm from Burlington Township, New Jersey. Okay, and
what brought you to rcbc I waslooking for an option that was
kind of cost effective for me.And I also received an NJ Star
Scholarship for NJ for RCPT. Sothat was the spot that I decided
on.
Jason Varga (17:52):
Congratulations on that moment. So what's your
actual major? Obviously, we'regraduating with STEM today. So
what's your specialization?
Unknown (17:57):
My specialization is chemical engineering.
Jason Varga (17:59):
So what's the next step after this them.
Unknown (18:01):
So after this, I'm going to be attending Rowan
University. And as of now I'mworking at a chemical plant and
Pa kind of just gaining someexperience while going to
school.
Jason Varga (18:11):
Do you think rcbc has prepared you for those next
steps that you're taking onchemical engineering,
Unknown (18:15):
I very much do believe that it has, it's given me a lot
of not a lot of knowledge. Andeven though the class sizes
being a little smaller, I'vebeen able to have much of a more
a better connection with likethe professors there and they're
able to help me more firsthand.So I believe that rcbc did do a
very good job of preparing mefor you know, moving on for the
future.
Jason Varga (18:34):
Was there a professor or a class that
actually stood out maybe afavorable moment, they want to
share?
Unknown (18:38):
Definitely Professor Sherlocks organic chemistry
class. Yeah, he was alwayssuper, super helpful and very
kind and always, like willingto, you know, help his students
succeed in every way possible.And I really do appreciate him
for that.
Jason Varga (18:52):
So tell me about these beats that one of your
fellow classmates wants to dropyou stuff on the side what's
going on,
Unknown (18:57):
I just love that I used to do a lot of singing back in
high school. And it's somethingthat, you know, we get together
from time and time again, and weyou know, try and make some
music. So, that's a little hugthat I do on the side, but
hopefully, you know that thatbrings some success as well.
Jason Varga (19:08):
Okay, I wish you the best of luck with that party
message to your fellowclassmates.
Unknown (19:13):
I'll just say to you know, keep pushing, keep looking
for what your what you'repassionate about and what you
you know, you're going to behappy doing you know, you want
to make sure that life is isfull of happiness, more so than
anything and, you know, justcontinue to drive for something
that you're passionate about,that you really feel that you're
that you want to do
Jason Varga (19:30):
what an incredible group of students to speak with.
And I loved hearing theirstories and inspiring messages
as we bring things back to theprogram pod studios. Now, as
promised, let's hear a clip fromthe President's Award winner
Sarah, Ohio who we had onearlier in the show and hear her
inspirational message during the2023 rcbc stem commencement
Unknown (19:47):
you are the only person in your way to having the life
that you want. Think out of thebox that you can find yourself
in and push yourself beyond thelimits that you thought you had.
Life's twists and turns arebrought me to worry Now, but I
have learned throughout my timethat things must break before
you can build, and boy does thebreaking hurt. But if you see it
(20:07):
through long enough, you canknock down a foundation that was
not strong enough to hold yourempire. As an artist, I see
things from a differentperspective. I now see my pain,
my trauma, and my disorders areno longer as my weakness but as
my strength. They are the reasonfor my success. Contrary to what
I've always believed, I promiseyou, I will change the world.
(20:31):
And I will keep my promise nomatter how long it takes. I
recently came across dangeroustoxins that poisoned our water,
food, air and environment,neurotoxins, these toxic. These
toxins wreak havoc on all of ourlives, and put every single one
of us at risk for detrimentalhealth problems. My research has
(20:51):
led me to completely change mylife. Abandoning everything I
thought I once knew about theway we live. My first step in
achieving this goal startstoday. Please take out your
phones. If you have Facebook, goto psychology Sarah, and follow
the page. You can go with methrough my journey. Learn from
(21:12):
our research on neurotoxins, andwhat you can do in your homes to
reduce your risk of exposure.Watch the progress with my bees
and more. Thank you all for thiswonderful opportunity. Before we
part I challenge you to chasethe dream you thought to be
unobtainable, open yourhorizons, new opportunities and
not give up on your vision.Congratulation, class of 2023
(21:36):
and Mesa sex success. Followwherever your journey takes you.
Jason Varga (21:43):
Bravo, Sara Bravo what an awesome message and I
can't wait to see the amazingthing Sarah's going to be
bringing to this world in theyears to come. If you want to
hear her entire speech or catchanything else from the 2023 stem
commencement, head over to RCBC's YouTube page and check it
out. Meanwhile, for moreinformation on rcbc STEM program
covering science, technology,engineering mathematics, you can
(22:05):
visit rcbc.edu. And before weget into presidency, OCS final
remarks at the 2023 stemcommencement. I just want to
thank you for listening to this2023 rcbc commencement series
special but bringing you allsummer long. If you missed
anything from the liberal artsor health sciences commencement
or even just want to check outwhat the program pod is all
about which takes a deep diveinto the programs and we hear
(22:25):
from students, faculty employersand get a little different
perspectives within thatparticular program. Go check out
some of the older shows or youcan subscribe now and catch up
some future shows as the programpod can be found on any platform
that you get your podcast. Sosubscribe now. Thanks again for
listening. This is Jay Varga andnow I'm going to kick things
over to President Dr. MichaelCOC. And his final remarks at
(22:45):
the 2023 stem commencementcheers and have a great summer.
President Cioce (22:48):
So graduates, you may now move your tassels
from your right to your left.
Before we conclude, I want toapplaud the faculty and staff
that have worked tirelessly toprepare the next generation of
(23:11):
leaders. Let's applaud let'sgive it up. I want to hear it
for all the family and friendsin the back and the folks that
are watching that have supportedour graduates every step of
their long journey
(23:31):
and of course one final round ofapplause to our graduates
congratulations class of 2023.Congratulations on your
accomplishment
And welcome to the program pod a national award
(00:03):
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network, which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc. through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers,
kind of changing up a little bitover the summertime here again,
Jay Varga, with your host, theprogram pod. And this is one of
our parts of the commencementseries going all summer long
here for the kind of like flowflashback of the 2023 rcbc
(00:28):
graduation, the commencementseries going down and on this
episode, we're going to speakwith Sarah, Heil. All right, Hi,
Sarah, how are you doing? Good.You're the 2023 President's
Award winner, one of the otherones, and you'll be speaking in
front of the STEM class, right?You're excited for it. I am
excited nervous to we're goingto pull some of your your speech
(00:48):
a little bit later on. I'm goingto go around, talk to some of
the STEM students and such. Butagain, I'm breaking up all this
commencement series, someparting and out and just want to
get to know you a little bit andtalk about your accolades and
stuff, because you have thisprestigious award, one of the
top three, and the graduatingclass, so kudos to you. So first
of all, you know, then listen toyour speech, it's pretty heavy.
And it's something I you know, Ican relate, and we'll probably
(01:10):
get into in just a second. Butso how did you end up at rcbc in
the first place?
Sarah Heil (01:15):
Oh, I wasn't gonna go to college at first, because
I was into strictly having myart business. And I was just
going to do that. And I got ascholarship, a full ride to go
for art, and decided not to dothat and to just focus on the
business. It wasn't until abouta year later, when I decided I
needed to do more than that. Andthen that's when I started
(01:36):
looking into psychology and anrcbc came around. And it just
was like a perfect fit
Jason Varga (01:40):
the perfect fit. Now, did you ever think you were
going to be speaking in front ofthe 2023 graduating class, let
alone being a president's awardwinner?
Sarah Heil (01:47):
Absolutely not. Never thought it would happen?
Yeah. You want to
Jason Varga (01:51):
give a little bit of a background of your your
journey? Because it seems like,you know, you're such an
inspiration for what, from whatI was listening, but can you
tell the listeners who may ormay not be able to hear the
whole speech, and I'll tell themwhere they can go a little bit
later. But journey is kind oflike another journey of how do
you kind of got the rcbc and howyou were able to kind of fight
through everything that you wentthrough?
Sarah Heil (02:10):
Yeah, so I had to fight through a lot. A lot of
different trauma throughout mylife moving to several homes, I
had six over my lifetime. Onewas a hotel, I witnessed death
in front of me, I was sexuallyassaulted. How to fam family
with alcohol and drug abuse. AndI had a lot that affected me and
turned into different mentaldisorders. And I had to battle
(02:34):
along with trying to keep upwith everything.
Jason Varga (02:37):
Yeah, and it's tough, because I mean, I had a
brother in law about battleddrug addiction and alcohol
addiction, and we kind of werewaiting for it. And eventually
he did. And it's tough. I wasn'tin school, though. And like,
that's schoolwork alone is aheavy load. So here you are.
You're battling all this stuff.And now you're maintaining a
perfect 4.0 You mix up into afew different honors societies.
(02:59):
Can you tell me a little bitmore about that experience and
how it affected your personaldevelopment?
Sarah Heil (03:03):
Yeah, it was rough. So there was lots of days where
I didn't think I would be ableto get through what I had to get
through or just push on. And itwas battling my disorders and
literally crying sometimesthrough writing essays. And it
was the motivation anddetermination that that
(03:23):
eventually built the steppingstones to seeing that what I had
gone through was now the reasonI was succeeding, if that makes
sense.
Jason Varga (03:33):
Sure. How did that become then to decide to study
these neurotoxins, as you'vekind of brought out into your
speech, which again, people getto hear a little bit. So that
Sarah Heil (03:42):
was by accident that I came across that I work. I'm a
paraprofessional, so I work withchildren with autism as a one on
one. Awesome, yeah. So one day,I was sitting there thinking
because it's not completelyunderstood how autism comes
about. And I was wondering if ithas something to do with what
the mother was ingesting becausethe mother gets nutrients, and
it gives it to the baby. So Iwas thinking, if they were
(04:04):
consuming toxins, neurotoxins,it would travel through the baby
and affect the baby. And Iresearched it online. And I
found out that it did correlate.And then from there, I reached
out even more, and I found thatit correlated to pretty much
like, pretty much like anymental health or physical health
(04:25):
disorder, the neurotoxins are intheir air food or water
environment. They're terrible.And they're linked to like
everything.
Jason Varga (04:33):
Now, this is kind of this this correlate to a
study that just started homelike these neurotoxins, are you
reading back some of your biothat you're working on this? The
study and you conduct at yourhouse of air purifiers and such
and how if you get sick or not alot faster than the neurotoxin
type thing correlate to that?
Sarah Heil (04:52):
Yeah. So um, once I started researching that, I
started what got into thestudent research program here.
rcbc and I connected with amentor Mala, don't want to get
her last name, Laura Jhala TikiI think it is. And I did an in
home experiment where I put aircarbon filters in my home, and
(05:14):
reverse osmosis and filters onevery shower and water and
bathroom in the house, bathroomand kitchen. And from there, I
tested every day for two weeks,all the rooms of the house all
the water. And that was mybaseline. And then I did again
another two weeks every nightwater with the new stuff. And so
all the one that was implementedwith the reverse osmosis and all
(05:37):
that, and I tracked it and I didsee that there was a decrease in
health problems with humans, theanimals, it was kind of iffy.
But the humans it did show adecrease over time.
Jason Varga (05:47):
I know a little bit of reverse osmosis. But that's
only because I'm in a breweryand I had to take to do water
treatment, and I'm purifying andstuff. So it's kind of like, but
not to what you're doing. AndI'm afraid to do any kind of
your study in my house because Idon't really know. I feel like
almost I developed superhumanpowers because of what was
maybe, you know, in my house andsuch, you know, now you hear you
(06:08):
know, rcbc and you're gettingready to go on. So where do you
where do you see yourself in acouple years from now? Like,
what's, what's next? What's thenext chapter?
Sarah Heil (06:15):
Yes, so right now, I'm kinda like, between, I was
gonna go for clinical. And nowI'm leaning more towards the
research aspect in psychology,no matter what path I do, I want
to get my doctorate. Andcontinue research, even if I do
do the clinical route, or evenif I blend them both, I'm
interested in neuroscience, so Imight go that route, too. So
(06:36):
that part's a little up in theair. But the first sure is, I'm
definitely going to try to getmy doctorate.
Jason Varga (06:41):
So awesome. Now, so what has been your favorite
moment, then here at rcbc? Onyour path, becoming eventually
getting a doctorate? Like with aclass standout? Or any moment, a
teacher or anything? Somethinghappened on the quad? I don't
really know.
Sarah Heil (06:55):
Yeah, so probably the student research program
that I'm in, because that led meto kind of get to the path shift
that I'm at now to where I'mleaning more off clinical more
towards research. It was a goodexperience, because I've found
out things that are changing mylife completely in the way I
live in my own health andleading me to more health
healthy paths do and what didyou find out? Yeah, so I did a
(07:19):
part of that spearmint, I did ablood test and just track how
much heavy metal was in myblood. And I just found
dangerously high copper levelsto where and if it was any
higher, like you could die orhave brain damage. So knowing
that and now changing what I dowith my food and my water, I'm
going to be able to bring itdown so that way, it won't end
(07:40):
up bad. But
Jason Varga (07:42):
yeah, so Alright, so that's all inside the
classroom and stuff and probablylistening to your speech and
looking over some of my notesand such. And we even have an
extra right over here next to uspeople to try to paint a picture
for the listeners. Your art whenwe're putting your art display
on the website is going to be upthere on stage and graduation.
Your art business now. You saidyou started this before even got
(08:03):
into college? Senior year highschool. Okay, can you let's talk
about Paul get away. Like, youknow, we have a website for it.
What is it? What's your artabout? You know, go for it.
Sarah Heil (08:11):
Yeah, so I don't want a website. I do have a
Facebook, it's there, Ohio,custom art. And then my
Instagram is art pixie. Um, Iwas interested in art throughout
my middle school, high schoolyears, it just really picked up
in high school. And it picked upa lot then because all those
trauma and things I was goingthrough, I needed an outlet. So
I turned to art and I was eatinglunches in the art room because
(08:34):
at the time I kind of separatedfrom my whole friend group I
didn't really have anywhere togo. So I would spend my time in
their paint all day. And then Iwas painting a lot of more
darker art, more cathartic art,which was one of my outlets. And
then I realized that I needed todo something to help me continue
moving forward. And that waswhen the business came in. What
(08:55):
else
Jason Varga (08:56):
do you do like as a hobby because I, You listed a
whole bunch of data speeds. Icouldn't keep up so much you
explain to her tell thelisteners what else do you do?
Sarah Heil (09:05):
Yeah, so I recently got into horseback riding. So
equestrian. I'm learning theaccordion now and taking I just
got a camera coming in today. Sotaking up photography, but
besides that I do cook big I sewcrochet. I do the research and I
consider psychology like a hobbytoo, because I enjoy it. And
then I write a lot in theprogress of trying to write a
(09:28):
book and bowling. There'sprobably more that I just can't
think of
Jason Varga (09:34):
there is actually there is beekeeping. Yeah. The
biggest thing, right, right.Yeah. So how did this start?
Yeah, so
Sarah Heil (09:42):
that was part of the research study that I was doing
and I came across bees and howgreat they are. And I've always
had an interest in beekeeping ingeneral. So it just seemed like
a good thing to just combinethem both. So they came last
week. They're in the hive now,and it's really interesting to
watch them And I'm going tostudy them as they flourish and
(10:05):
grow my garden, my veggiegarden, help it make it non
toxic and organic. And then whenI start producing, I'm going to
take the honey, the pollen, andall that good stuff and turn it
into non toxic candles becausethey burn clean. The raw honey,
I'm gonna sell that. So I'll bemy second business from the
bees.
Jason Varga (10:23):
Don't think you ever stop. That's awesome.
Before we wrap it up, because,again, I do want to play a clip
your speech and your speech willbe on YouTube as well for
everybody's seen stream and getyou already for that. But what
would you say? I'm not sure ifyou said in your speech or not.
But what would you say? You wishyou knew more about maintaining
(10:43):
on the academic and professionalcareer while suffering from the
mental disorders? What would yousay? People you wish people knew
more about that?
Sarah Heil (10:50):
It's a lot harder. Because there's a disadvantage
when you have mental disordersyou're trying to play catch up
to keep up with everyone else.And that's something that I
think a lot of people don'talways understand. But people
who do have mental disordersthey deem as as incapable or
weak or not smart enough. Andit's not true. And I believe
(11:11):
that myself for a long time. Soit's just believing that you can
even if you're not on the sameplaying field, you can get there
and sometimes further dependingon
Jason Varga (11:22):
what you do. Like it's kind of parlay that
question then your outgoingmessage to the class of 2023.
What would you like to say toyour fellow classmates
Sarah Heil (11:32):
to not give up and like no matter who says it, or
even if you yourself if youbelieve that you can't excuses
are excuses. And if you want itbad enough, you can, you can
have anything you want. And youcan do anything that you want in
life, no matter what you've beenthrough what you've got going
on. There's always a way to findyour path. Even if it takes
(11:53):
time. It can take a while yearseven, but you can do it.
Jason Varga (11:57):
Awesome. Well, I know you're gonna do awesome,
not only on Wednesday orThursday, I guess it is for the
commencement speech. But just inlife in general. I'm really
proud of you. I'm happy for you.And I wish you the best of luck
and everything else. We aregonna hear from your club a
little bit later on. But any anyshout out you want to say hello
to anybody any farewell plugs oranything like that before we
(12:18):
wrap it up.
Sarah Heil (12:19):
Oh yeah, the shout out to all the graduating class
of 2023 and congratulations toall them. Congratulations to
madaline the valedictorian andTaylor, our other Presidents
Award winner. And then ofcourse, a big thank you to
everyone in my life who has gotme help to get this far and
everything so yeah.
Jason Varga (12:37):
Awesome. Well, it's great to have you on the show.
And again, it's Sarah, Ohio.2023 president award winner the
other one that's gonna bespeaking for the STEM class and
I looking forward to the speechand good luck with that. Thank
you. So day two, here we are onthe behind both auditorium
Barry's behind me doing stuffand starting to speak with now
the STEM students. So what do Ihave with me? Right? No,
Unknown (13:00):
I'm Grace McGowan. Grace. And
Jason Varga (13:01):
were you from Southampton, New Jersey. Okay,
the Oh 808 Yeah, I'm tabernacle.Yeah. Okay. Okay, so Seneca
Okay, obviously you'regraduating from stem today. What
was your specialization?
Unknown (13:13):
I am majoring in chemistry, chemistry.
Jason Varga (13:16):
Okay. So how was your experience here at rcbc It
was really good.
Unknown (13:19):
I made a lot of friends. All the professors have
been the absolute best. Likethat's the number one thing I
can say about the schoolprofessors top notch love them.
And overall, it's been a reallygood experience and helped me
move on.
Jason Varga (13:30):
So speaking of moving on, what is next?
Unknown (13:31):
So next is going to Rowan and then earning my
bachelor's from there. Hopefullya semester early, which will be
nice.
Jason Varga (13:38):
What was your favorite experience here then?
rcbc. Obviously the professor'sbut did you have a favorite
professor favorite class? Afavorite moment?
Unknown (13:45):
I would say probably my favorite professor was Professor
Sherlock I mean has to be myfavorite as a chem major. He was
awesome with organic chemistrymade class really fun, even
though it's supposed to bereally hard class. He made it
really fun. And then overallexperiences. I think my favorite
one was being the president of aclub here. That was really
awesome. And being able tocreate the community service
events and see people do servicehere was really nice.
Jason Varga (14:07):
And what Club was that? That was Circle K Club
parting message to your fellowclassmates.
Unknown (14:11):
Keep giving it your all. Don't ever give up. Chase
the things that you want. Don'tlet people influence you and
just do the best that you can.Awesome.
Jason Varga (14:19):
All right, bring you on the spot now. What's your
name?
Unknown (14:20):
Yeah, now Mendoza,
Jason Varga (14:22):
Mendoza. And where are you from?
Unknown (14:24):
I'm from willingboro, New Jersey, but I'm originally
from the Bronx in New York.
Jason Varga (14:28):
So what brought you to rcbc?
Unknown (14:29):
I would say one to get a hold of like my college
experience, like how it would belike and I will say it's been
really amazing as like a conferCommunity College I would say
this is a great start for anyonewho's like new to the college
experience and don't want tolike straight like start right
away and like obtain everything.
Jason Varga (14:47):
What's your major? Obviously, we know you're
graduating with STEM, but
Unknown (14:49):
what's your major mechanical engineering
technology?
Jason Varga (14:51):
So what was your favorite experience then? And
maybe your favorite professor aswell.
Unknown (14:54):
So shout out to Professor Wilson who's always
helped me throughout these pastfew semesters. As he is one of
my favorite professors, becauseno matter what he will always
encourage me to keep goingforward.
Jason Varga (15:05):
Did you have a favorite experience or moment or
anything here to happen oncampus?
Unknown (15:09):
I will say all the friends that I made, I will say
that throughout these past twoyears, I made really great
friendships that I hope to stillkeep in the future. And I was in
my most favorite moment wasbecoming president of a club as
well. And we'll call was thatthe rcbc? Elf club?
Jason Varga (15:25):
Oh, congratulations on that. What's the what's the
next plans then?
Unknown (15:28):
I'm still waiting on a decision from TCNJ. But
hopefully I get in there. Hi.Thank
Jason Varga (15:33):
you. Well, in the meantime, though, any farewell
message or you know,congratulatory messages you like
to say for poet classmates of2023.
Unknown (15:40):
I would say keep pursuing your dreams don't give
up no matter how hard life gets.
Jason Varga (15:45):
What's your name?
Unknown (15:46):
Christopher's Alinsky.
Jason Varga (15:47):
Christopher, where are you from?
Unknown (15:49):
I'm from willingboro, as well.
Jason Varga (15:51):
Okay, and what brought you to rcbc?
Unknown (15:52):
I didn't really know what I wanted to do yet. So I
kind of came here just forexperience, and to kind of learn
how college would be like, and Ikind of felt like it helped a
lot to go here.
Jason Varga (16:02):
So what's your major then obviously, your main
and stem as well.
Unknown (16:05):
My major was in general engineering,
Jason Varga (16:07):
was that something you originally wanted to go for?
Like you said he didn't reallyknow. Yeah, I
Unknown (16:11):
didn't really know what to focus on yet. So that's why I
went broad with generalengineering, just until I
figured out what I wanted. What
Jason Varga (16:18):
was it about engineering and stem that kind
of that's, you know, like, thatwas your direction.
Unknown (16:22):
I always kind of enjoyed engineering, I always
thought it was a pretty coolcareer. And I have focused now I
kind of chose what I wanted tofor my transfer College. I'm
going to be going intoelectrical and computer
engineering, because it's thestuff that I'm kind of most
interested in. And what collegeis that at Rowan.
Jason Varga (16:37):
So what was your favorite experience, then here.
So far,
Unknown (16:39):
I enjoyed the people, the people here are nice, which
is a good thing, a goodenvironment to be around. And
the teachers are. They're alsovery nice. They're also very
helpful. They're really, theyreally helped you get through
what kind
Jason Varga (16:51):
of kept you going through the semester was their
favorite snacks, music orsomething like that, what got
you through to get to where youare today?
Unknown (16:56):
Well, I always look for the end goal, I really
appreciate kind of getting mydegree and then working in the
field. So my drive has been towork through it and kind of
achieve my goals and then get ajob in something that I enjoy.
Jason Varga (17:10):
never work a day in your life. They say write your
message to your fellowclassmates here for STEM 2023 at
rcbc. You have
Unknown (17:17):
to work hard, there's no earthly way around it. You
have to keep on studying, youhave to keep on asking for help.
You have to keep on askingquestions. There's really no way
around that because you're notgoing to learn anything if you
don't ask any questions.
Jason Varga (17:28):
All right, just talk to no another rcbc Student
catch up with some of hisclassmates talking about making
some beats afterwards. So I'mkind of curious who I got with
me now. What's your name?
Unknown (17:37):
My name is Sramana SML.
Jason Varga (17:38):
And where are you from?
Unknown (17:39):
I'm from Burlington Township, New Jersey. Okay, and
what brought you to rcbc I waslooking for an option that was
kind of cost effective for me.And I also received an NJ Star
Scholarship for NJ for RCPT. Sothat was the spot that I decided
on.
Jason Varga (17:52):
Congratulations on that moment. So what's your
actual major? Obviously, we'regraduating with STEM today. So
what's your specialization?
Unknown (17:57):
My specialization is chemical engineering.
Jason Varga (17:59):
So what's the next step after this them.
Unknown (18:01):
So after this, I'm going to be attending Rowan
University. And as of now I'mworking at a chemical plant and
Pa kind of just gaining someexperience while going to
school.
Jason Varga (18:11):
Do you think rcbc has prepared you for those next
steps that you're taking onchemical engineering,
Unknown (18:15):
I very much do believe that it has, it's given me a lot
of not a lot of knowledge. Andeven though the class sizes
being a little smaller, I'vebeen able to have much of a more
a better connection with likethe professors there and they're
able to help me more firsthand.So I believe that rcbc did do a
very good job of preparing mefor you know, moving on for the
future.
Jason Varga (18:34):
Was there a professor or a class that
actually stood out maybe afavorable moment, they want to
share?
Unknown (18:38):
Definitely Professor Sherlocks organic chemistry
class. Yeah, he was alwayssuper, super helpful and very
kind and always, like willingto, you know, help his students
succeed in every way possible.And I really do appreciate him
for that.
Jason Varga (18:52):
So tell me about these beats that one of your
fellow classmates wants to dropyou stuff on the side what's
going on,
Unknown (18:57):
I just love that I used to do a lot of singing back in
high school. And it's somethingthat, you know, we get together
from time and time again, and weyou know, try and make some
music. So, that's a little hugthat I do on the side, but
hopefully, you know that thatbrings some success as well.
Jason Varga (19:08):
Okay, I wish you the best of luck with that party
message to your fellowclassmates.
Unknown (19:13):
I'll just say to you know, keep pushing, keep looking
for what your what you'repassionate about and what you
you know, you're going to behappy doing you know, you want
to make sure that life is isfull of happiness, more so than
anything and, you know, justcontinue to drive for something
that you're passionate about,that you really feel that you're
that you want to do
Jason Varga (19:30):
what an incredible group of students to speak with.
And I loved hearing theirstories and inspiring messages
as we bring things back to theprogram pod studios. Now, as
promised, let's hear a clip fromthe President's Award winner
Sarah, Ohio who we had onearlier in the show and hear her
inspirational message during the2023 rcbc stem commencement
Unknown (19:47):
you are the only person in your way to having the life
that you want. Think out of thebox that you can find yourself
in and push yourself beyond thelimits that you thought you had.
Life's twists and turns arebrought me to worry Now, but I
have learned throughout my timethat things must break before
you can build, and boy does thebreaking hurt. But if you see it
(20:07):
through long enough, you canknock down a foundation that was
not strong enough to hold yourempire. As an artist, I see
things from a differentperspective. I now see my pain,
my trauma, and my disorders areno longer as my weakness but as
my strength. They are the reasonfor my success. Contrary to what
I've always believed, I promiseyou, I will change the world.
(20:31):
And I will keep my promise nomatter how long it takes. I
recently came across dangeroustoxins that poisoned our water,
food, air and environment,neurotoxins, these toxic. These
toxins wreak havoc on all of ourlives, and put every single one
of us at risk for detrimentalhealth problems. My research has
(20:51):
led me to completely change mylife. Abandoning everything I
thought I once knew about theway we live. My first step in
achieving this goal startstoday. Please take out your
phones. If you have Facebook, goto psychology Sarah, and follow
the page. You can go with methrough my journey. Learn from
(21:12):
our research on neurotoxins, andwhat you can do in your homes to
reduce your risk of exposure.Watch the progress with my bees
and more. Thank you all for thiswonderful opportunity. Before we
part I challenge you to chasethe dream you thought to be
unobtainable, open yourhorizons, new opportunities and
not give up on your vision.Congratulation, class of 2023
(21:36):
and Mesa sex success. Followwherever your journey takes you.
Jason Varga (21:43):
Bravo, Sara Bravo what an awesome message and I
can't wait to see the amazingthing Sarah's going to be
bringing to this world in theyears to come. If you want to
hear her entire speech or catchanything else from the 2023 stem
commencement, head over to RCBC's YouTube page and check it
out. Meanwhile, for moreinformation on rcbc STEM program
covering science, technology,engineering mathematics, you can
(22:05):
visit rcbc.edu. And before weget into presidency, OCS final
remarks at the 2023 stemcommencement. I just want to
thank you for listening to this2023 rcbc commencement series
special but bringing you allsummer long. If you missed
anything from the liberal artsor health sciences commencement
or even just want to check outwhat the program pod is all
about which takes a deep diveinto the programs and we hear
(22:25):
from students, faculty employersand get a little different
perspectives within thatparticular program. Go check out
some of the older shows or youcan subscribe now and catch up
some future shows as the programpod can be found on any platform
that you get your podcast. Sosubscribe now. Thanks again for
listening. This is Jay Varga andnow I'm going to kick things
over to President Dr. MichaelCOC. And his final remarks at
(22:45):
the 2023 stem commencementcheers and have a great summer.
President Cioce (22:48):
So graduates, you may now move your tassels
from your right to your left.
Before we conclude, I want toapplaud the faculty and staff
that have worked tirelessly toprepare the next generation of
(23:11):
leaders. Let's applaud let'sgive it up. I want to hear it
for all the family and friendsin the back and the folks that
are watching that have supportedour graduates every step of
their long journey
(23:31):
and of course one final round ofapplause to our graduates
congratulations class of 2023.Congratulations on your
accomplishment
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Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.