Latest news with #FrederickCommunityCollege
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FCC grads grateful for support systems, proud of their achievements
Ines Agopome said she is proof that with persistence, faith and the right support systems, people can break through barriers and generational curses they didn't think they could ever overcome. Agopome was one of two student speakers at Frederick Community College's commencement ceremony Thursday evening at Knott Arena in Emmitsburg. She received an associate degree in social sciences with a concentration in psychology. She plans to continue pursuing a bachelor's degree in counseling psychology at the University of Baltimore with a full scholarship. Agopome's parents are immigrants from Togo, a country in Africa. As she faced the crowd of hundreds at the arena, she told everyone important lessons she and her sister learned from her parents. One was that hard work and perseverance are not just tools, but survival skills. Another lesson was that no matter where people come from, the knowledge they carry can't be taken away from them. Before coming to FCC, Agopome was a student at Montgomery College. In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Agopome gave birth to her daughter. She realized that to give her daughter everything she wanted, Agopome needed to reflect and look at what she personally wanted, too. She realized she was pursuing the wrong major and was not at the best school for her, so with the help of her family and friends, she found FCC. Agopome said her daughter is the main reason she could complete her associate degree and continues to have purpose in her actions and life. She thanked her own family and support systems during her speech, tearing up at the mention of her daughter. She told the arena to raise their imaginary glasses, cellphones or whatever else they preferred to cheer the class of 2025. "The world is already yours, you're capable of so much more than you know, and the knowledge you've gained here will never be taken away," Agopome said. FCC's class of 2025 has 915 graduating students, and about a quarter of the class consists of first-generation college graduates. The vast majority of the class — 90% — received associate degrees, while the rest of the graduates received certificates of accomplishment. As the graduates processed into the arena wearing their green robes, audience members cheered loudly and waved excitedly down at the graduates they came to support. Giulietta Jafari was the other student speaker for the ceremony, alongside Agopome. She also made it a point to thank her parents for the sacrifices they made, so Jafari could pursue her education. Jafari received associate degrees in English and paralegal studies. She will attend the University of Maryland in the fall to study philosophy and linguistics, according to a Facebook post from FCC announcing the 2025 commencement student speakers. Jafari said her father is Persian and fled to Iran to escape religious persecution. Her mother was 16 years old and alone, and had little money to support herself. While her parents' biggest concerns were survival, Jafari said, her biggest concerns were unplugging the family's Wii gaming console fast enough before her sister could beat her in the video game Mario Kart. Jafari said her dad would tell her to never give up and never surrender whenever she faced an obstacle. She keeps that sentiment in mind to this day. "I'll always be grateful for [my parents], for the opportunity and sacrifices that they made, so that I could graduate on this day with all of you today, so that I could attend university without denying who I am, so that I could grow into the best version of myself and seize every opportunity that comes my way," she said. FCC President Annesa Payne Cheek spoke about the diverse range of backgrounds in the graduating class. She said the class ages ranged from 18 to 68. Some people might have gone to FCC right after graduating high school, while others might have returned to school after years away. Cheek told the class to also remember the people who believed in them when the students didn't believe in themselves. She gave the graduates some words she said she would've needed to hear when she was graduating from college herself: "I belong," "I earned this" and "I'm ready." Jacques Mbengang said he feels accomplished now that he's graduated. He received an associate degree in STEM technology with a concentration in cybersecurity, as well as certificates of accomplishment in computer studies and information security and assurance. Mbengang began attending FCC right after he graduated from high school. He got his first job in information technology at Meritus Medical Center last month and will continue working there after graduation. He said his professors were hands-on and "really took care" of him in and out of the classroom. His father died while he attended FCC, and the college's staff helped him get through that hard period to get his degree. "In my culture, education is really important, and I believe that knowledge is very important," he said. "Being able to acquire it and finish it to the end, even when I could've gave up multiple times, the fact that I was able to keep moving was something that I really take pride in."
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Town of Boonsboro celebrates Appalachian Trail commemorative stamp
BOONSBORO, Md. () — The U.S. Postal Service has issued a commemorative stamp for a historic and scenic treasure that is the small town of Boonsboro. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine. But closing out the week, Boonsboro is the center of attention. Frederick Community College launches cybersecurity program The town is one of the so-called 'A.T.' communities, special to small towns. 'Boonsboro is one of just 56 A.T. communities that run up and down the trail of the 14 states where the trail runs,' Sandra Marra, president and C.E.O. of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, said. The trail is an attraction for hikers, tourists, and history buffs 'that brings in people from all over the world,' according to Marra. '[It's] also a place where locals can go out and enjoy nature,' she said. The trail is a popular retreat for Washington County Commission Jeff Cline, who regularly hikes the trail for fitness, but also to take in the scenic vistas. 'It's a great view looking west into the Hagerstown Valley, and you can see the Greenbrier lake,' Cline said. As Mark Wahl with the Postal Service explains, commemorative stamps like these are reserved for unique treasures in the American landscape. 'There's a story for every stamp and a stamp for every story,' Wahl said. Maryland Governor Wes Moore says Japanese investment is paying off in western regions As for Boonsboro's postmaster, proud to display the new commemorative stamp in her post office? 'The Appalachian Trail is the best place to be,' Maria Johnson said. The newly-issued commemorative stamps will be available at the Boonsboro Post Office for the next 30 days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
County launching new child care study to address additional child care needs
Frederick County has started creating a new child care study — building on a study released last year — to evaluate the accessibility, affordability and quality of child care for children ranging from infants to 12-year-olds. In 2024, the Frederick County Child Care Market Study revealed that the number of available licensed child care slots within the county couldn't keep up with the demand. This study also specifically focused on families with young children, compared to the new study, which will focus on newborns and young adolescents. The shortage of care was predicted to reach crisis levels within the next 10 years, if those trends continued, and some parts of Frederick County were already approaching crisis levels. Just at the end of January, Frederick Community College told parents and staff it planned to permanently close its child care center in May due to financial constraints. That center's total capacity is 83 children and provides year-round services for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The center has never operated at full capacity, and its revenues can't cover its expenses, FCC said in a statement. This new study aims to 'gather additional information on families with children from birth through age 12 and identify viable solutions for expanding child care services to better support underserved communities,' according to a county news release. The study's findings will be compiled into a final report and include recommendations for Frederick County to review and consider. The study will look at the possibility of county-sponsored child care services. Its focus areas will include: • Analyzing geographic disparities in child care availability, especially in underserved areas • Assessing how financially and operationally feasible it is to establish new child care centers • Determining the most strategic locations to create child care services • Talking to stakeholders like parents, care providers and community organizations to incorporate several perspectives into the study's recommendations People can complete a survey and share their child care experiences at The county will also post further information about focus groups and public engagement opportunities on the same website.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Asian American Center of Frederick hosts International Women's Day celebration
FREDERICK, Md. () — There was a call to action from a weekend celebration of International Women's Day at the Asian American Center of Frederick. A coalition of women's advocacy groups is making the case for gender equality. Living Local DMV celebrates International Women's Day Federal employment figures show that women comprise 57% of the U.S. workforce but make only 84 cents for every dollar men earn on the government payroll, according to the That's about $10,000 less per year in media wages. Participants in a weekend conference at Frederick Community College are upbeat about closing the wage gap. 'It is so inspiring to pull together so many different women who are in leadership roles to make this event possible,' Cleo Burton with the Asian American Center of Frederick, sponsor of the conference, said. Frederick faces budget challenges from shake-up of federal workforce, contracts in limbo Rachel Spencer with the Frederick Youth Council said women can make a difference, 'We can inspire others in the Frederick community and in the state of Maryland,' she said. 'Together we can make a difference and celebrate our power as women.' International Women's Day has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1909. for observance around the world in 1975. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Asian American Center of Frederick hosts Lunar New Year community celebration
FREDERICK, Md. () — For so many, the Lunar New Year is such an important celebration and a time for family, community and good fortune. The Asian American Center of Frederick hosted a gathering for all at the Frederick Community College to celebrate the Year of the Snake. 'This is a wonderful time to share our cultures with the rest of the state,' Elizabeth Chung, the Center's executive director, said. 'Particularly in western Maryland.' Lunar New Year: What does the Year of the Snake mean? T.J. Sydykov at the Center said the festival fosters a better understanding and appreciation of diversity in the region. 'This festival is a great way to educate the community about the great festivity that almost half the world celebrates,' Sydykov said. Frederick Mayor Michael O'Connor attended the festival and took in an impressive musical presentation by the youth orchestra that performed. 'We value what we have in common with others,' the mayor said. 'How we celebrate our cultural identities and learn from others.' What is Lunar New Year? How is it celebrated? Chung said the festival is all about making that deep cultural connection to history, family and hope for the future. 'We are highlighting the cultural enhancements in entertainment, in education,' Chung said. 'We are being very global in having all this representation here from across the world.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
