Updates
Through its alumni website, Phi Theta Kappa International seeks updates from Phi Theta Kappans about where they are in life these days. We also encourage you to let NERA know what you are doing, even if you are not yet a NERA member. With NERA membership, you will be able to not only read updates about what your fellow New Englanders are up to, but also connect with them in person or via other methods thanks to our strong network. If you have an update you’d like to submit, please send it to Ashley Odell.
NEW ENGLANDER UPDATES
NERA members are marked with an asterisk (*).
Boulay, Jennifer – Beta Eta Phi, Bristol Community College
Jennifer is currently a student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. July 5, 2009
Burgess, Kelly – Alpha Upsilon Alpha, Manchester (Conn.) Community College
Kelly received her BFA in Photography from the Art Institute of Boston in May 2009, after holding her senior thesis show at the Newbury Street Gallery at Kenmore Square in Boston from April 20 – 24. Starting in fall, she will be attending the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Boston. May 15, 2009
Byram, Chrystal (Matias) – Alpha Theta Epsilon, Naugatuck Valley Community College
Chrystal was married in 2005 and graduated in 2007. September 3, 2008
deNapoli, Dyan – Xi Nu, Mount Ida College
After working for nine years as a Senior Penguin Aquarist at the New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, Dyan started an educational company providing on-site programs about penguins to kids and adults of all ages in a variety of settings. Dyan donates a portion of the proceeds from every program to penguin rescue groups. For more information, you can visit her website at thepenguinlady.com. January 3, 2008
Dickey, Martha – Alpha Nu Upsilon, Hesser College
Martha graduated in May 2008 from Franklin Pierce University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. September 5, 2008
Fox, Grady – Beta Lambda Rho, York County Community College
Grady graduated from York County in May 2008 and was named a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar that year. He was accepted to Emerson College for fall 2009 and will be pursuing a BFA in Animation and Motion Graphics. His beautiful baby boy, Orion Stone Fox, was born on November 19, 2008. A filmmaker, Grady also officially opened his own business, FMF Digital Media, in June 2008, and is always working on new film ideas.
Hoxie, Meeghan – Alpha Nu Epsilon, Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Meeghan graduated from the University of Miami with her first Bachelor’s in 2000. She is a Firefighter/Paramedic in Broward County, Florida and will possibly be seeking her doctorate in Pharmacology at Nova Southeastern University. March 12, 2009
Kendall, Amy – Alpha Upsilon Alpha, Manchester (Conn.) Community College
Amy is concentrating in Urban Studies and Architectural Studies at Brown University and will be spending the summer at Harvard University’s Career Discovery Architecture program. She is planning to continue to a Master’s in Architecture after Brown, but may take a year or two to either pursue a Master’s in Public Policy or be a part of Teach for America. At Brown, Amy has joined the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity and become a part of the Relay For Life planning committee and Habitat for Humanity. April 7, 2009
(Matias) Byram, Chrystal – Alpha Theta Epsilon, Naugatuck Valley Community College
Chrystal was married in 2005 and graduated in 2007. September 3, 2008
McCann, Shelley – Beta Eta Phi, Bristol Community College
Shelley is currently employed by Genesis Rehab as a Director of Rehabilitation Services at Hancock Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. September 13, 2008
Nemeth, Patricia – Alpha Lambda Zeta, Asnuntuck Community College
Patricia is attending Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts on a full scholarship as she pursues her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her projected graduation date is 2011. May 26, 2008
(Nicholson) Van Dinter, Patricia – Alpha Kappa Lambda, Massachusetts Bay Community College
Patricia was married on October 17, 2007. June 2, 2008
* Odell, Ashley – Alpha Upsilon Alpha, Manchester (Conn.) Community College
Ashley transferred to Mount Holyoke College as a Critical Social Thought major and Jack Kent Cooke Scholar following her graduation from MCC in May 2008. She is currently on leave from Mount Holyoke and is completing an internship at a community college. She has remained active with Phi Theta Kappa as a volunteer on the chapter, regional, and international levels. Chapters that would like her to come back to speak about scholarships, leadership, or any Phi Theta Kappa topics can reach her here. July 5, 2009
Paska, Katie – Alpha Kappa Upsilon, Massasoit Community College
Katie finished her term as Northern Vice President of the New England Region in March 2008 and graduated from Massasoit in December. She has moved back home to Lakeville and is putting her exceptional people skills to work as a bartender, a job she loves. She plans to get more involved with NERA now that she has graduated and will be assisting with the Chapter Officer & Adviser Academy this July at Massasoit. Katie also says: “I love my stress-free life!” April 9, 2009
Rain, Crystal – Alpha Xi Omega, Holyoke Community College
Crystal lived and worked in Skagway, Alaska during the summers of 2006 and 2007. She then spent the winter of 2007 Couchsurfing through Europe. Now she is back in Massachusetts, where she will be beginning her third semester of studies at Mount Holyoke College in the fall. July 5, 2009
Rodriguez, Betzaida – Alpha Chi Kappa, Nashua Community College
Betzaida left for Iraq in early 2008 with an Army Reserve unit from Nashville, Tennessee. They are acting as a Mayoral cell and are running an important camp in Iraq. December 29, 2007
Smith, Laura Rose – Alpha Phi Mu, Southern New Hampshire University
Laura graduated in May 2008 with an Associate of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. September 11, 2008
* Starr-Proulx, Mary Katherine – Beta Gamma Xi, Middlesex (Conn.) Community-Technical College
Mary Katherine graduated from UConn with a B.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resources in December 2008. She married her husband, Michael, in July 2008 and is currently working as an Environmental Scientist with Diversified Technology Consultants in North Haven, Connecticut. She says: “Go Beta Gamma Xi!” April 6, 2009
Stevens, Jadene Felina – Alpha Upsilon Mu, Cape Cod Community College
Jadene graduated from Norwich University in 2000. November 5, 2008
Tomasova, Miriam – Alpha Iota Nu, Norwalk Community College
Miriam received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting on May 18, 2009. July 5, 2009
Van Dinter, Patricia (Nicholson) – Alpha Kappa Lambda, Massachusetts Bay Community College
Patricia was married on October 17, 2007. June 2, 2008
Walsh, Tracey – Alpha Chi Epsilon, NHCTC-Laconia
Tracy is continuing her academic studies and is currently seeking admission to nursing school. July 5, 2009