Senior Reflections 2010

What was going through the minds of seniors as they counted down their final days at Carthage? Carthage sophomores Christine Frisch and Tess Beltran asked some members of the Class of 2010 for their thoughts as they approached their graduation.

Carthage celebrated the Class of 2010 commencement on May 23.
See a gallery of photos from Commencement Weekend

• • •

"I will miss the beautiful weather, the cafeteria with unlimited food,
long walks on the beach under the moonlit stars, poetry readings in the
meditation chapels, and the strong relationships I've formed with my fellow peers." — Tylor Lewis, '10


Tylor Lewis, from Waterford Wis., graduated with degrees in biology and chemistry, and a minor in mathematics. He has been a member of the Carthage Activities Board, Student Government, the Juggling Club, Pi Mu Epsilon, and Beta Beta Beta. He ran cross country and track for four years, has made the Dean's List and athletic director's honor roll every year, and was named to Alpha Lambda Delta (top 20 percent of freshman class) and Alpha Chi (top 10 percent of graduating class). He was also included in Who's Who Among College Students.

Moving forward: "I hope to travel to Africa to join the Peace Corps to teach secondary science education," Tylor said. "Eventually, I will attend graduate school/pharmacy school to pursue my master's degree."

A message home: "Thank you, Grandma, for providing the inspiration and work ethic needed to be successful — not only in my college career, but in life in general. Thank you, Ma, for giving me the options to pursue whatever I wanted to in life and encouraging me to be successful. Thank you, Dad, for all of the spending money."

• • •

"It's weird to think I'm leaving. I will miss having all my friends in once place because all my friends at Carthage come from all over the U.S. I will miss
the lake, Marina Gardens, JAC, and just the bubble of Carthage in general.
I will also miss Laura Huaracha because I spent a lot of time with her.
She became more of my mentor than a teacher, almost like a friend."
— Katrina Giammarino, '10


Katrina Giammarino, of Villa Park, Ill., graduated with degrees in graphic design and communication, and a minor in business. While at Carthage, she was vice president of Draft Graphic Design Club, named to Alpha Lambda Delta (top 20 percent of freshman class), and made the Dean's List seven semesters. She was also a graphic design intern.

Moving forward: "My main goal is to work for a non-profit company doing design work and event planning," Katrina said. "I am currently looking for a job, but right now I am doing freelance graphic design and just looking for a full-time job this summer. I want to do volunteering this summer also."

A message home: "Thanks for supporting me and making sacrifices so I was able to be here at Carthage."

• • •

A message home: "Thank you for supporting my choice to travel six hours away from home and step out of my boundaries to go to Carthage because I wouldn't trade it for anything." — Loreena Lair, '10


Loreena Lair, of Bloomington, Minn., graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. While at Carthage, Loreena was on the Red Hots Dance Team for four years and served as captain her senior year. She was named to Alpha Lambda Delta (top 20 percent of freshman class), and made the Dean's List six semesters. She was vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa for two years, a biology fellow, a Supplemental Instructor, and a member of Beta Beta Beta and TORCH.

Looking Back: "I will miss being on the Red Hots because I won't have the chance to be on a dance team anymore," Loreena said. "I will also miss the lake, the community feel of a small school, my friends, and my boyfriend."

Moving forward: "I am waiting to hear back for an environmental health internship, and hoping to attend graduate school for a master's degree in public health and epidemiology."

• • •

"I will miss the people the most, because everyone is so friendly,
from the professors to friends, even the cafeteria staff. I will miss being busy from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. There is so much to do and so much to get involved in." — Rich Williams, '10


Rich Williams, of Poplar Grove, Ill., graduated with a degree in physical education. While at Carthage, Rich was on the Red Men basketball team for four years, and the track and field team for three years. He also participated in Carthage Pep Band for two years, and belongs to the Tau Sigma Phi fraternity.

Moving forward: "I hope to be a PE teacher and eventually get into education administration."

A message home: "Thank you to my parents for setting a great example through education, the arts, and great character throughout their lives."

• • •

"I will miss the beautiful campus and people, playing basketball for Bosko, watching other athletics and the Red Hots, and the cafeteria."
— Cody Hilton, '10


Cody Hilton, of Lombard, Ill., graduated with a degree in international political economy. While at Carthage, Cody was on the Red Men basketball team for four years, and served as captain his senior year. He also made the athletic director's honor roll.

Moving forward: "I hope to pursue a master's degree in IPE, and pick up my teaching certificate to coach high school basketball."

A message home: "I would like to thank my parents for being there every step of the way, financially, athletically and academically," Cody said. "They came to all my games, so I will really miss that."

• • •

"I will miss the people the most because they bring so much character to campus. I will miss the Theatre Department. Once I get in the real world, it will be hard to find theatre people. We have created such a tight-knit community here at Carthage." — Dana Peters, '10


Dana Peters, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., graduated with degrees in theatre and communication, and a minor in public relations. While at Carthage, she has been actively involved with theatre, a member of the Illuzions Hip Hop Dance Team, and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was named to Alpha Lambda Delta (top 20 percent of freshman class) and Alpha Chi (top 10 percent of the graduating class). She also belongs to Alpha Psi Omega, which recognizes honors in the Theatre Department. She directed the play "Rabbit Hole" for her senior thesis.

Moving forward: "I hope to get a job either working for a public relations firm or a news station while actively auditioning for plays."

A message home: "Thank you for paying my tuition and supporting my choice to pursue a career in theatre, and always backing up the decisions I make, and thank you for coming to all of my performances and all my initiations."

• • •

"I will miss the atmosphere, environment and people.
The four years have flown by." — Angie Harden, '10


Angie Harden, of Dousman, Wis., graduated with a degree in political science, and a minor in Spanish.

She has been a member of the Illuzions Hip Hop Dance Team, the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, a student-run dance team, and Grassroots Activism with Unity. She participated in track and field for one year, and has been on the Dean's List for four years. She is a Lincoln Scholarship recipient.

Moving forward: "I plan to study abroad to teach English and learn Spanish."

A message home: "Thank you, parents, for all of your continued love and support. I wouldn’t have my college career without you."

• • •

"Thank you to Professor Jim Lochtefeld for his friendship and insight.
He was always awesome. I took extra classes with him, and that's why I’m still here. Thank you to Professor Thomas Noer for recharging my love of history.
Thank you to Professor Pamela Smiley for enriching my life with literature and an unforgettable educator/learner connection." — Emily Halverson, '10


Emily Halverson, of Schoolcraft, Mich., graduated with degrees in elementary/middle education and cross-categorical special education. While at Carthage, Emily was a resident assistant, a student ambassador, and a member of TORCH and the Belly Dancing Club. She also volunteered at the Kenosha Literature Council and as a private reading tutor. She was named to Alpha Lambda Delta (top 20 percent of freshman class), made the Dean's List all four years, and was included in Who's Who Among College Students. She was the recruitment chair for Omicron Delta Kappa, played intramural volleyball and softball, and was a member of Advocates for Choice and Grassroots Activism for Unity.

Looking back: "I will miss the safe supportive environment of a community that encourages you to stretch yourself intellectually," Emily said. "I will miss Dr. Bass, and I will miss the comfortable lifestyle of being a five-minute walk from where I need to be, and I feel like my food is free because it's swipes, not money!"

Moving forward: "After Carthage graduation, I will also finish schooling at Gateway Technical College and become an Emergency Medical Technician. I hope to teach in the Kenosha Unified School District and will continue to volunteer with Somers Fire and Rescue. I will also continue attending Somers Community Church, where I teach Sunday school."

A message home: "I would like to thank my mom, dad and sisters for being the most connected, caring family I could have ever wished to have."

• • •

"I will miss the Starbucks baristas and how they always have my drink ready and know it by heart. I will miss knowing everyone on campus, just walking by and saying 'hey' to everyone. I will miss the lake, my sorority sisters, and all the wonderful professors and friends I met here." — Austynne Newberg, '10


Austynne Newberg, of Long Grove, Ill., graduated with a degree in psychology with an occupational therapy focus, and a minor in Spanish. While at Carthage, Austynne was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Carthage Women’s Ensemble, Alpha Mu Gamma, Carthage Activities Board, Pre-Health Club, and the psychology honors fraternity Psi Chi. She was named to the Dean's List three years. She was also “Customer of the Week” at Starbucks, and president of Rho Alpha Nu.

Moving forward: "I plan to take a year off, then go to graduate school for occupational therapy, to eventually do OT with equine-assisted activities."

A message home: "Thank you, parents, for putting me through college and supporting me every step of the way."

• • •

"There is so much that I'm going to miss. Honestly, I am trying to find a job here so I don't have to leave. It was fun to be able to go to my professor's house for dinner to have a casual conversation about things that didn’t necessarily have to be about school. It is nice to be able to grab a Starbucks drink and just walk to class, and I will also miss J-Term trips. I will miss them so much that I am actually going to chaperone one this next J-Term: the journalism trip in Europe." — Steve Shepley, '10


Steve Shepley, of Woodstock, Ill., graduated with a major in communication. While at Carthage, he served as treasurer of Lambda Pi Eta, which recognizes honorary achievement in communication. He was also a member of Draft Graphic Design Club, Carthage College Republicans, and the Carthage Pep Band. He made the Dean's List two semesters and was a communication fellow.

Moving forward: "My after-Carthage plan would have to include finding a stable job/career using the skills I have obtained at Carthage. I hope to stay in the Kenosha area, because I love it here, but if my job takes me somewhere else, I will follow. It is my hope to get into the media field somehow, perhaps using social media in my favor."

A message home: "Thank you, parents, for basically helping me go to Carthage. They pretty much just paid for the whole thing. Thank you to the Communication Department as a whole, with an emphasis on Jon Bruning and Paul Chilsen. Without their help and guidance, I probably would be lost. They really showed me a new perspective on life inside and outside the college walls. I got to experience my major first-hand, like making the commencement video, studying in Europe, and other things that you just can't learn in a book."