The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
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DARCY DACKONISH received a Bachelor of Music Education and graduated with a 3.97 GPA. During her time at CMU, she participated in just about every music ensemble — from playing bass in the jazz ensemble to serving as principle clarinetist in the wind symphony to leading the Maverick Stampede as drum major. As a student leader, Darcy has presided over major growth in several organizations, including the CMU chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education, whose enrollment increased dramatically since her freshman year. She also co-founded a woodwind quintet called The Maroon Five. After graduation, Darcy headed to Jefferson County as a substitute teacher and is applying for a permanent music teaching position in Jefferson County and nearby districts. • OSCAR LOPEZ VALDERRAMA graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He started at the Montrose Campus, commuted for a semester while working a 40-hour week all while earning a 4.0 GPA. He eventually moved to Grand Junction to finish his education. Oscar worked an average of 25 hours a week while completing 30-clinical hours every week on top of his classes. He is the class representative for his cohort and helped start a BSN mentorship program that connects new Level 1 nursing students with Level 4 nursing students. Oscar is a first-generation student — he is the very first in his extended family to attain a college degree. Oscar plans to work in his field and then return to school to earn his Doctorate of Family Nurse Practitioner. Once he has his doctorate, he wants to work in a lower socioeconomic, culturallydiverse neighborhood to help the underserved. • AMANDA MILLER graduated, against the odds, with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a double minor in chemistry and forensic science. She was in and out of foster care from a young age as her mother battled addiction, and she is the first person in her family to go to college and attain a degree. Amanda has immersed herself in everything the college life can offer: she was the Forensic Science Club vice president and she interned at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the CMU Forensic Investigation Research Station. Amanda was also an active member of the CMU Dance Society. She choreographed a ballroom/Latin fusion dance, which was performed at the CMU fall dance concert. Amanda plans to pursue a career in forensic science and hopes to one day work for the FBI. •