Photo
Caption:
MCC
student Kayin Moore of Crystal Lake was named the fall 2015 recipient
of the Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award, a $600 award for tuition and
books given to a student who displays a positive attitude while
working toward the completion of a degree or certificate while
overcoming a disability. Pictured are, from left, front row: Kayin
Moore, Gayle Barkley and back row, l-r: Tutors Ellen Morton, Whitney
Kuhlin, Hunter Flanagan; Lili O’Connell, Access and Disability
Services manager; Tutors Donna Davis, Cathy Aney, Beverly Jackson;
Adriane Hutchinson, dean of Academic Development; Brenda Stiff and
Dane Walkington, foundation staff members.
McHenry
County College (MCC) named Kayin Moore of Crystal Lake as the
recipient of the Fall 2015 Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award, a $600 gift
given to a student who displays a positive attitude while pursuing a
degree or certificate while overcoming a disability.
Moore
was selected by MCC Access and Disability Services, formerly the
Special Needs Department, for exemplifying the can-do attitude and
determination that the Spirit Award recognizes.
He
started at MCC in 2014 and is working toward an associate degree.
Moore plans to pursue a career in computer science. He will use the
award funds for tuition and/or book expenses at MCC during the Spring
2016 Semester.
The
Spirit Award was founded in 2009 by Joe Blanco, a longtime MCC
special needs tutor, before he passed away in 2011 as a way to honor
students who inspire others every day.
Gayle
Barkley, Access and Disability Services assistant, nominated Moore
for the award, saying he is a most deserving “can-do” candidate
for the Spirit Award.
“I
have witnessed his personal growth over this past year,” Barkley
said. “He has become a great communicator and self-advocate. His
future plans include transferring to the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater to pursue a degree in computer science. Kayin
has been proactive in finding a good fit for his learning style and
is already working with the Disability Services and Advising offices
at Whitewater. I have no doubt he will be quite successful in his
future.”
