{"id":4939,"date":"2019-05-07T18:03:40","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T18:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/?p=4939"},"modified":"2019-06-28T13:27:59","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T13:27:59","slug":"note-to-my-freshman-self-class-of-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/blog\/note-to-my-freshman-self-class-of-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Note to My Freshman Self: Class of 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WSU Class of 2019 is one to be remembered. Here’s some highlights from graduating students as they look back on their experiences at WSU and give a little advice to their first-year selves — and us all, really.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Class of 2019!<\/p>\n

David Moonen<\/h3>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

David Moonen is graduating with a degree in commercial recreation and is the CEO of Merrimack Canoe Company. He started working at Merrimack Canoe Company during his sophomore year cutting fabric and was offered this full-time CEO position by his senior year.<\/p>\n

David’s advice to his freshman self: \u201cSlow down\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about David’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Christine Salentiny<\/h3>\n

\"Christine<\/a><\/p>\n

Christine Salentiny is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She enjoyed her time at WSU, and whether Christine was in class or having fun with her friends, she always felt at home. After graduation, she looks forward to becoming a kindergarten teacher at Lake-Brewster Elementary School.<\/p>\n

Christine’s advice to her freshman self: \u201cDon\u2019t stay up so late! Go hiking or explore the town. Pet more dogs <3!\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Christine’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kimberly Lee<\/h3>\n

\"Kimberly<\/p>\n

Kimberly Lee is graduating with a major in mathematics secondary teaching and plans to work as a math teacher.<\/p>\n

The most important thing WSU taught her is \u201cif you do not educate yourself on issues, people will talk to the left of you, to the right of you, over you, under you and right through you. After hearing this, I was motivated to connect with my identity of being a Hmong, Asian-American, a woman and part of the LGBTQ+. With my intersectionality, I chose to use the platform of being President of HASA to advocate for the Hmong student voices on campus including our culture, history and issues we face on the daily\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Kimberly’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brett Thomas Strub<\/h3>\n

\"Brett<\/p>\n

Brett Thomas Strub is graduating with a major in nursing and aspires to be a registered nurse.<\/p>\n

The most important thing WSU taught him is that \u201cthere is always someone there to have your back. There is only so much a person can bear on their own through whatever their endeavors may be. The WSU community is very supportive and has taught me not to be afraid to ask for help in achieving success in my endeavors\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Brett’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rashini Punchihewa<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Rashini Punchihewa is graduating with a major in Business Administration and is starting her career as an entry level manager at DMC Marketing.<\/p>\n

Her advice to other students: \u201cGet involved and commit to the organizations. You\u2019ll get out of it what you put into it. Reach out when you need help. People are here to help and you do not need to struggle on your own\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Rashini’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alexander Holm<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Alexander Holm is graduating with a major in ACS Biochemistry and is applying to dental school.<\/p>\n

His advice for students coming into WSU is \u201cYou get out what you put into it. If you work hard and put in the effort you will accomplish great things. Also, don\u2019t be afraid to be involved in clubs, leadership roles, and even study groups\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Alex’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Julia Jones<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Julia Jones is graduating with a major in Special Education: Developmental Disabilities and Academic Behavioral Strategist. She is starting her career as a middle school special education teacher.<\/p>\n

Her favorite part of her WSU experience: \u201cThe WSU staff. The Special Education program has amazing staff that worked their hardest to teach me about my future career. I also really enjoyed all of the clubs that I was able to participate in. UPAC, KDP, WFTK and SILA were all so fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Julia’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gilbert Obiero<\/h3>\n

\"Gilbert<\/a><\/p>\n

Gilbert Obiero is graduating with a Major in Public Health with and emphasis on Epidemiology. He is starting his career off with a position as a community health worker at Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association.<\/p>\n

His advice to his freshman self: \u201cDecide which major you want and work on it. Don\u2019t waste time doing something you don\u2019t like\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Gilbert’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lexie Adamsky<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Lexie Adamsky is graduating with a degree in nursing. Lexie was always proud to represent WSU by wearing her purple scrubs at clinic sites. After graduation, she looks forward to becoming a psychiatric nurse at Mayo Clinic.<\/p>\n

Lexie\u2019s advice to her freshman self: \u201cYou will always have people cheering you on and to be there to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Lexie’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jordan Langness<\/h3>\n

\"Jordan<\/a><\/p>\n

Jordan Langness is graduating with a major in Composite Materials Engineering. He is starting his career off as an Associate Manufacturing Engineer at Northrop Grumman.<\/p>\n

To Jordan, the most influential thing about WSU was: \u201cThe approachability of all of the professors was far better than I expected. They were all easy to talk to and always had good advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Jordan’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erin Kloepping<\/h3>\n

\"Erin<\/a><\/p>\n

Erin Kloepping is graduating with a degree in communication studies, and she looks forward to becoming a project manager for Thirty Story.<\/p>\n

Her advice to students: \u201cYou don\u2019t have to have the rest of your life planned out \u2014 or even the next four years. Just focus on today. Whenever I feel overwhelmed my mom always asks, \u2018How do you eat a giant elephant?\u2019 And every time she says, \u2018One bite at a time.\u2019 Focus on what\u2019s in front of you and find joy in the little things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Erin’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hallie Riedel<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Hallie Riedel is graduating with a degree in community health and loved her experience at Winona State.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s thankful that WSU prepared her for her career: \u201cI am excited to be an alumna going out in the world and saying I learned a lot of what I know from the educators and mentors here at WSU. There is a lot of bad in this world. But Winona State makes me believe that there is more good than bad. I know WSU will always be a place I can call home and I am extremely proud to be a Warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduation, Hallie looks forward to working in programs and communication for Wisconsin Women\u2019s Health Foundation.<\/p>\n

Read more about Hallie’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reagan Holm<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Reagan Holm\u00a0is graduating with a Major in History and plans to be an educator. For Reagan, WSU helped her achieve her goals by: \u201chaving caring faculty that were always willing to listen to me and come up with solutions or plans to my problems. I connected with so many great human beings that teach at WSU and I owe so much of my success to them\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read more about Reagan’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caleb Gernes<\/h3>\n

\"Caleb<\/a><\/p>\n

Caleb Gernes is graduating with a degree in marketing. Caleb got marketing experience at WSU working on projects for companies like WNB Financial. After graduation, Caleb looks forward to a job in sales located in Savannah, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Caleb wishes he could tell his freshman self: \u201cI would say to take my classes more seriously freshman year. Grades here really do matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Caleb’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Karen Sullivan<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Karen Sullivan is graduating with a Bachelor\u2019s in Early Childhood & Elementary Education\/Sociology as well as a Master\u2019s in Professional Leadership. She looks forward to becoming the Interim Director of the WSU\u2019s Children Center following graduation.<\/p>\n

Karen reflects on her WSU experience: \u201cThe professors and fellow graduate students have contributed to my academic success. Their patience and encouragement to extend beyond my limits and willingness to walk the walk with me… The WSU community has a core culture of respect and relationship, and I experienced it during my program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Karen’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Juan Manuel Rojas Cabrera<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Juan Manuel Rojas Cabrera is graduating with a degree in nursing and will join the Graduate Research Program in Neural Engineering at Mayo Clinic. On why he chose WSU, Juan says: \u201cI think the biggest factor that ultimately led me to WSU was the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Juan’s experience<\/a> at WSU.<\/p>\n

\"Explore<\/a><\/p>\n

–Jake Eberhard<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The WSU Class of 2019 is one to be remembered. Here’s some highlights from graduating students as they look back on their experiences at WSU and give a little advice to their first-year selves — and us all, really. Congratulations, Class of 2019! David Moonen David Moonen is graduating with a degree in commercial recreation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":4945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[35,1473],"class_list":["post-4939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-life-blog","tag-academics","tag-brag"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/05\/Erin-Kloepping.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa1M27-1hF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4939"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5041,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4939\/revisions\/5041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}