3rd Annual Drama Performance at Brevard

By Janet Hrezo, Brevard Center Academic Tutor

Back in 2006, the Brevard Center offered a drama class for the first time. Our intention was to let students have fun and be creative during a summer term. I don’t think any of us imagined then what a success the class would be or that the College Internship Players would be giving their 3rd live performance for Brevard students and staff this August.

Each semester the actors come up with something new to try whether it is designed for a live performance or a taped presentation. This past semester they decided to write their own comedy sketch which was developed through improvisation. During each rehearsal, new story lines and dialogue were tried out and then added to the sketch or rejected and so “The Courtroom Sketch” was born.

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Career Spotlight: The Berkeley Center

By Nicole Hughes, Berkeley Center Career Coordinator

Internships and volunteer work are crucial parts of the CIP program. It allows students to explore current interests and to develop the skills they need to find employment and become responsible employees. Because our students have a wide variety of interests, the Berkeley Center coordinates and maintains relationships with many local businesses.

Some of our current and upcoming internship/volunteer opportunities include: Spectrum Center Schools, YMCA child care, Alta Bates Hospital, St. Vincent De Paul, Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley Humane Society and Channel 28-Public Access TV. Our students are motivated and committed to reaching their goals. They are all working hard to develop relationships with employers while gaining new experiences and skills.

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Jameson’s Photos Come to Life!

By Jim Walsh, Bloomington Center student advisor

This summer, as a part of College Internship Program at Bloomington’s photography club, Jameson Lanzetta took interpretive pictures to a song featured at the closing credits of a video game he liked. I had a blast editing it together for him!

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Inspirational Athletics

Berkeley student, Aaron Samuels, has been involved in the Special Olympics for 8 years and running. Recently he obtained his 4th gold medal. Aaron’s baseball team, the Southside Santa Clara Dragons, won 4 games straight, beat the East Bay Tomahawks to claim the championship. When asked to reflect on his current win, Aaron, who plays the catcher position, stated “Our team was well focused, balanced, and they played their hearts out to win”.

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The Brevard Center Walks for Autism

By Ashley Titone, Brevard Center student

Walk Now for Autism is Autism Speaks’ signature fund raising and awareness event which takes place in communities across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the Autism spectrum, this successful grassroots fund raising effort not only generates vital funds for Autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of Autism and the need for increased research funding to combat this complex disorder.

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Summer Community Service Project: Cans for Habitat

By Jennifer Kolarik, Brevard Center Career Coordinator

Throughout the year, Brevard Center students participate in community service opportunities such as local beach clean-ups and special events such as the Habitat for Humanity Annual Strawberry Festival, Autism Awareness Festival, and Walk Now for Autism.

For the summer, our center’s goal was to choose a project that would engage both students and staff and be ongoing throughout the summer. We chose to participate in an aluminum can drive for our local Habitat for Humanity office.

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A Day at Discovery Cove

by Courtney Frischmann, Brevard Center Residential Staff

Students from the Brevard Center spent a day at Discovery Cove in Orlando and it was an absolute blast!!! The place was amazing. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect. The park was true to its word and delivered an all inclusive day for the students, minus the crowds and long lines.

Discovery Cove provided everything we needed including wet suits, snorkels, towels, lockers, special sunscreen safe for the marine life, even a complimentary picture of us when we entered.

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Wellness Student of the Month: The Brevard Center

by Jamie Kennedy, Brevard Center Wellness Coordinator

Charlie Nielsen, a first year student, is our Wellness Student of the Month for August. Charlie’s favorite part of his individual health and wellness session is learning how to perform different exercises properly. Individually, Charlie strives to accomplish the goals set forth in his Personal Fitness Contract. Exercise goals he is working towards this month include mastering the jump rope, learning different stretching exercises and running longer and more consistently. His six-week personal goals range from healthy eating to time management skills.

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The Art of Letting Go: LD Students Guide to College Transition

By Dr. Michael McManmon, College Internship Program Founder

So, you’re off to start the next chapter in your life. You’re going to a school, a college or a program away from your home and your family, possibly for the first time in your life. In your heart you know that you are ready for this change, but naturally you are filled with mixed emotions.

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My Hope to You, 1st-Year Students

By Karen Noel, Admissions Coordinator
The Berkshire Center

Today is the start of a new day – a new direction towards freedom, choice and independence. As new students at CIP are strong, admirable young adults who may have experienced many hardships to get to this point, I have many wishes for you.

I hope that any fears you have fade quickly and friends fall into place easily. My hope is that you choose to step up and do all you can to learn what you need to in order to make your life the best it can be. I hope that negative habits are faced and new healthier paths are forged. Accept the assistance that is around you and leave yourself feeling cared for and supported.

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Goodbye CIP

By Adria Nassim, Bloomington Center student

I can’t believe it’s time already for me to start packing up and saying “See ya sooner than later!” Before I came to CIP, life was very different. I was away at college suffering from severe anxiety and depression which eventually lead to sporadic psychogenic seizure due to trauma.

Although I’ve always been known to be academically contentious, I could no longer focus in school and was faced with the idea of having to take a semester off due to illness. That’s when my parents and I discovered CIP.

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Alex Wiser’s CIP Experience

By Mendy Kossmann, Bloomington Academic Coordinator, and Alex Wiser

Alex Wiser graduated from Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, IN on May 15, 2009 with an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Technology.

Alex came to The Bloomington Center in 2006, he was 19 years old. Before coming to CIP, he attended the Community College DeAnza and took General Studies classes near his home in San Jose, California. Alex had been having a difficult time because he would start classes strong, but eventually lost interest.

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