Monday, March 27, 2017

CGCC Concert Choir Hosts Fundraiser for Carnegie Hall Trip

Help make the CGCC Concert Choir dream performance come true by attending a fundraiser performance featuring John Rutter's "Requiem” tomorrow at 7 pm at the Velda Rosa United Methodist Church in Mesa. Funds raised at the event will benefit the choir’s upcoming performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall April 3-7.

Last fall, the CGCC Concert Choir was invited to attend the Mid-America Productions Spring Festival Chorus at the distinguished in Carnegie Hall in New York City.  As one of only four choirs in the nation to receive an invite, this honor arguably places CGCC among the leading concert choirs in the U.S.

Since receiving the invitation, choir members have been diligently raising funds to pay for the cost of the $72,000 trip. Last month, Southwest Airlines donated round trip airfare for each choir member making them one step closer to achieving their goal.

We hope you can join us for this wonderful event. The Velda Rose United Methodist Church is located at 5540 E Main Street Mesa, AZ  85205.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Edgar Allan Poe’s Stories Come to Life in CGCC’s Production of "Nightfall"

CGCC Performing Arts Department invites you to attend this weekend’s production of “Nightfall With Edgar Allan Poe,” a student led production based on the eerie writings of renowned writer Edgar Allan Poe. The play retells four of Poe's most famous works: “The Raven,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Pit and the Pendulum” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” through different styles of storytelling.

“Edgar Allan Poe's work is some of the best-known horror ever written; and after reading Eric Coble’s “Nightfall,” I experienced the desire to bring the material to the stage in a unique way,” said Shaylnn Reynolds, play director and CGCC theater professor. “The cast worked exceptionally hard on preparing for this unconventional production and we hope the audience enjoys our show.”

“The Raven,” the most poetic of the four tales, is told using interpretive movement, shadow play and gloving. “The Fall of the House of Usher” is recounted in the style of 1930-40's black and white horror movies mixed with film noir. “The Tell-Tale Heart” presents a whole new outlook when viewed through the lens of Dr. Seuss.  And “The Pit and the Pendulum” explores the interior of the human brain when the id and subconscious separate and gain sentience.

Immerse yourself in “Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe” and check your heartbeat at the door! We hope to see you there.

Show Details:
“Nightfall With Edgar Allan Poe”
Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center - 2626 E. Pecos Rd. in Chandler.
Performance Schedule:
• March 23, 24 & 25 at 7:30 pm
• March 25 at 2 pm

Tickets:
Ticket can be purchased for $10-$12 online at www.cgc.edu/arts or at the box office by calling (480) 732-7343.

CGCC Student Leaders Attend National Hispanic Conference


 
Ten members of Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Hispanic Student Organization (HSO) had the distinguished honor of representing Arizona at the 35th Annual United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) National Conference in Chicago February 16-19. Freshmen Isabelle Rosales and Dalia Prado were among the CGCC representatives to join over 6,000 attendees for the unique cultural experience and educational opportunity.

The annual conference was held at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Hotel in downtown Chicago and featured representatives from 40 states including the 10 representatives from CGCC. Conference attendees had the opportunity to meet with recruiters, influential Hispanic leaders, national policy-makers and potential future employers. The conference theme ¡La Luche Sigue! Core Values Never Give Up inspired attendees to inspire positive change in the Hispanic community.

“This conference was so much more than just a networking opportunity for me,” said Prado. “I was inspired, empowered, and motivated to be an activist in my community and work harder in school. The workshops and speeches given at this conference empowered me in finding out more about my identity as a Hispanic woman in this country.”

HSO students participated in workshops on a variety of topics including professional development, diversity and community empowerment; and they attended career and graduate school expos throughout their two-day visit. The students also had the opportunity to participate in discussions about taking pride in their heritage and the importance of unifying as a culture. 

“I will always remember the many themes of this year’s conference and apply them to our community in hopes of bringing us closer together,” said Rosales. “As Chandler Gilbert Community College approaches becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution, I will apply the lessons of empowerment to fellow Hispanic students to encourage them to continue to further their education and be a force of change within our community...because Si Se Puede!”

If you are interested in learning more about the Hispanic Student Organization at CGCC contact the organization’s advisor Greg Wojtovich at greg.wojtovich@cgc.edu or 480-857-5213.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Four students from CGCC named to All-Arizona Academic Teams

Recognized for academic achievements and distinguished leadership

CHANDLER, Ariz. –  March 20, 2017 --Four Chandler-Gilbert Community College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership at the 2017 All-Arizona Academic Recognition Ceremony on March 9 at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa Hotel. Students Yessica Avitia, Danielle Jones, Adrian Ruiz and Rachel Torne joined 22 other Maricopa Community College District students to be honored for their success.

“Congratulation to Yessica, Danielle and Adrian and Rachel’s on being named to the All-Arizona Academic Team,” said William Guerriero, interim president at CGCC. “We commend you on your hard work and determination needed to receive this distinguished honor. We are honored to have you as part of the CGCC community and know you will go on to achieve great success in your academic and professional careers.”

To be considered for an All-Arizona Academic Teams, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working on an associate degree, demonstrate leadership and be involved on campus and/or volunteer in their communities.

In addition, Phi Theta Kappa, American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges, Arizona Board of Regents and USA TODAY help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers to Arizona’s three universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local businesses, civic, education and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two students are selected from each college campus. The selected recipients’ applications were then forwarded to Washington, D.C., for second and third rounds of judging and scoring by representatives from various federal agencies and national education associations. Those scores were used to rank the students for first, second or third state teams. First Team members receive a $1,000 scholarship, Second Team members a $750 scholarship and Third Team members a $500 scholarship to one of Arizona’s state universities.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Williams Campus

Danielle Jones - Third Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Power Plant Engineering
Jones plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in power plant engineering at Arizona State University. Her 12-year commitment career goal is to earn the Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification through the Federal Aviation Administration.
 
Adrian Ruiz - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Nursing
Ruiz plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Arizona State University and become a registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and later continue his service to the military and veteran community as a registered nurse at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System.

Chandler Gilbert Community College, Pecos Campus

Yessica Avitia Santos - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Business
Avitia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in business at Arizona State University and become a CEO of an international company while continuing to volunteer for organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs and StreetLight USA.

Rachel Torne - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Early Childhood Education/Special Education

Torne plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education
at Arizona State University and become an early childhood teacher for kindergarten-third graders or for an early childhood autism program. Torne plans to simultaneously earn her master’s degree, endorsements for her teaching certificate and be highly involved in the education community.

Monday, March 6, 2017

CGCC Women’s Golf Continue Momentum on the Golf Course

The Coyote women’s golf team continue to make major strides on the golf course. The golfers led by freshman Taryn Simmons placed second in the Estrella College Invitational on February 27 & 28 at Tres Rios Golf Course in Goodyear. Simmons, a graduate of Queen Creek High School, shot rounds of 87/86 for a fourth placed medal finish. Sophomores Mariola Szmit placed seventh while Anahi Buck and Emily Smith tied for eleventh to secure the Coyote’s team finish. “I am very proud of our team and the success we are having this season,” said Coach Mark Underwood. “It will be a golf filled Spring Break for the team as they play back to back tournaments on March 12, 13, 14 and 15!” On behalf of everyone at CGCC, good luck in your upcoming tournaments. Go Coyotes!