My name is Briana Bonilla and I am a criminal justice major currently in my third semester here at RACC. I like to meet new people, and I like to help others. I am outgoing, a hard worker and I love to learn. By being an Ambassador, I have made many new friends and have gained a more personal understanding of what RACC stands for.
I am involved in the Student Activities Board (SAB) and I am also in the leadership program. Through self-demonstration I show other students that it is possible to achieve greatness and that first step starts here at RACC. I am glad that through the Ravens Ambassador program, I can help encourage more students to attend Reading Area community College.
Hello, my name is Jewell Brown and I am a 2010 graduate of Governor Mifflin Senior High. Currently, I am a second year Liberal Arts major in preparation to transfer into a Music Education/Performance program at a 4-year college. I am excited to begin my second year at RACC and my first year as an Ambassador. I have an enthusiastic, friendly, outgoing and funny personality which I use to help and encourage others.
In high school, I was an active participant in concert band, choir, orchestra, indoor percussion, and other countless clubs and activities. I held numerous leadership positions such as the president of orchestra, and section leader in marching band. I also participate in the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra.
I enjoy playing music, reading, attending church, volunteering at the PAL Center for the Arts, and community theatre.
Hello, my name is Andrea Gardner. I am married with two children, and I am studying to become a Social Worker. I am honored to have been selected to represent Reading Area Community College as a Raven Ambassador. I am also involved in the Student Government Association, the Leadership Program, and the Townsend Press Reading Scholarship Program.
As a non-traditional student, I have had many different life experiences including mother, wife, preschool teacher, volunteer, student and helper. I love helping and encouraging others and am always looking for ways to share what I have learned and experienced in my life. Reading Area Community College has been a fantastic opportunity for me, and I am happy to share that with future and prospective students and their families.
I am Anushka Ivon Liyanage, an international student from Sri Lanka. I came to the United States of America two years ago to continue my higher education. I first went to Lehigh Carbon Community college in Allentown. Then after two semesters I transferred to Reading Area Community College. I am majoring in Science transfer at RACC with the intention of becoming a physician. In my leisure time I like to read and work with children. I am a very friendly and social person.
After I came to the United States I was excited and nervous at the same time. At first, I was focused only on my education. Even though I was succeeding in my education, I started to miss my family and friends. When I was in Sri Lanka I used to do many extracurricular activities. I decided to continue my interest in working with people. Therefore, I have applied to the Raven Ambassador program and embraced this unique opportunity. I am very excited to become a Raven Ambassador because of my passion of working with people. I am looking forward to helping people become part of our RACC community.
My name is Marissa Plattner and I recently graduated from Exeter Senior High School. I am now a freshman at RACC and I am very excited to attend. I chose RACC because I will get a great education at an affordable tuition rate. I am studying in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, which is a partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College. Once I complete this program, I will transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy.
As a Raven Ambassador, I look forward to helping other students. In general, I am a very kind-hearted person who has a compassion for helping those in need. My everyday goal in life is to make a difference in other people's lives. There are many people who have made a difference in my life, and I wish to pass that kindness along to others. This is one of the many reasons I wish to become a physical therapist.
I enjoy exercising, reading, writing, learning, drawing, as well as spending time with family and friends. I also adore animals and love to meet new people. I wish everyone the best of luck with their future endeavors at RACC!
My name is Amy Rapp and I am majoring in Elementary Education. I plan on transferring after one or two years at RACC and hope to graduate in 2014 with a bachelor's degree. This is my first year as an ambassador and look forward to my work in the program. I enjoy helping people and am a very social person.
Along with being an ambassador and a full-time student, I coach basketball for children ages 8 to14. I really enjoy doing this as well because I know I make a difference in their lives just like I hope to make a difference in people's lives as an ambassador. In high school last year, I served as my senior class vice president, was a member of Student Ambassadors, and a member of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). Some hobbies I have are photography, running 5k races and trail runs, and I like spending time with my dogs.
My name is Brandon Starnes and I am a new Raven Ambassador and new student at Reading Area Community College. I plan on using my time at RACC as a stepping stone into the college world. As an Ambassador, I look forward to gaining better leadership skills.
I graduated from Daniel Boone High School and my plans are to eventually join the FBI after getting a degree in Criminalistics (Crime Scene Investigation). While in high school, I was part of the Daniel Boone Marching Band for four years. I played in the clarinet section and we eventually won the Atlantic Coast Championship during my senior year.
I enjoy participating in mission trips and I have done mission work in Mexico, South Dakota and New Orleans. This gives me a valuable perspective on helping people from different backgrounds and nationalities that I hope to use as a Raven Ambassador.
My name is Alexsandra M. Velazquez. I was born in New York City and moved to Reading when I was a young girl. I completed my entire education in the Reading School District. I am a recent graduate from Reading High School and started Reading Area Community College in the fall of 2010. I am a newly appointed Ravens Ambassador, and I am thrilled about this opportunity and what this year as an ambassador has in store for me. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education and hope to graduate from RACC by 2013 and continue my education at a local four-year college.
As an ambassador, I know that I will be assisting prospective RACC students and will serve as a positive role model to incoming freshmen. Through the Ravens' Program I hope to become more familiar with RACC and college life in general. I hope to become more involved in campus life and the many student activities offered on campus. I do not want to just attend RACC-- I want to be a part of RACC. Don't hesitate to get involved, make the most of your college years!!!!
