Stonewall Jackson graduate giving commencement speech
Faith Dellinger has dedicated much of her life so far to community service, and she plans to stay on that path of service in her future. This fall, she is…
Amy Russo: From laid off due to covid to giving covid shots
Had it not been for the pandemic, Amy Russo wouldn’t be in a new career right now, doing what she loves – which now includes inoculating people against the Covid-19…
Kristine Villatoro: Recreation and Outdoor Leadership Career Beckons
For Kristine Villatoro, hiking has helped assuage her grief and put her on the path of a new career. Villatoro had been a hiker for most of her life, having…
Craig Smith: 1985 grad’s interest in science piqued at Laurel Ridge
It’s been 35 years since Craig Smith graduated from Laurel Ridge, and yet he works just a couple miles away from the campus where he earned his associate degree in…
Luis Camacho-Bruno: Left engineering degree to pursue passion for construction trades with Workforce Solutions
Luis Camacho-Bruno is so much happier pursuing his trades education than he was while working towards his engineering degree. The 2018 Clarke County High School graduate spent two years studying…
Andy Bacik: From Truck Driver to Nursing Student
Since losing his older brother to cancer, Andy Bacik has wanted to help other children facing the dreaded disease. Laurel Ridge is helping him reach that goal. Bacik, who lives…
Kathy Alsberry Temple: 1972 alumna loved Laurel Ridge so much, she returned 40 years later for a second degree
Kathy Temple is a trailblazer – her life is made up of many firsts, including being the very first person to graduate from Laurel Ridge. Her maiden name is Alsberry…
Judy Rinker: Laurel Ridge’s first Outstanding Graduate recipient, longtime employee and volunteer
When Laurel Ridge’s first president, Dr. William H. McCoy, pointed to Judy Neff Rinker and said, “That redheaded girl is going to attend Laurel Ridge Community College” during a visit…
JoAnn Leight: Very first student to enroll at Laurel Ridge
The decision to go back to school as an adult student led to a long career as a kindergarten teacher for JoAnn Leight. With all four of her children finally…
Pandemic job loss opens door to exciting new career
Like many people around the U.S., Angel Ortiz, of Remington, lost his job at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Luckily for Ortiz, he was able to turn this setback…