Profiles - About Alumni

Alumni in the News for November 2008

Our alumni are spread out across the globe leading interesting lives. Many remain right here in Prescott benefiting our community. This page will feature alumni news, stories, and photos that you submit. If you don't see your news posted right away - don't worry - it will appear soon.

Featured Alum: Candi Frizzell, 1971-1973, General Studies

Hi Barbara,

Just wanted you to know that I just saw my profile on the YC Alumni page and wanted to be sure and tell you how much I appreciate the 'coverage'. If anyone wants to get a hold of me, could you be sure to pass on my email addresses...

• candice.frizzell@mex.salvationarmy.org
• rt66lvr@hotmail.com

Thanks again for all your hard work and interest. God bless!
Candi
Nov. 5, 2008

Candi's story:

"I have been an ordained minister with The Salvation Army for more than 30 years, and have been stationed in Russia and am now in Mazatlan, Mexico.

As an ordained minister, I have been stationed all over the western United States, including Alaska and three years in Volgograd, Russia. Volgograd is a city of about one million people and that experience was definitely a life changing one, and my days of being 'hungry' at Yavapai meant nothing when I saw the suffering and need there.

As much as I loved my time in Russia, my heart and dream has always been to serve in Mexico, and part of that dream first took seed while on a Spring Break trip here with my Yavapai Spanish Class. I am now the director of a children's home here in Mazatlan, Mexico and this is definitely the hardest job I will ever love. The money is tight but the children are wonderful and every day is a challenge. If any Yavapai College alumni are passing through Mazatlan on a cruiseship in the next two years and would consider bringing an extra bag of 'goodies' to the kids, please just drop me an email and we will let you know what our current needs are.

It was only after filling out the form (Alumni Profile and Remembrance Form), that I started really thinking about how my two short years at Yavapai really shaped the rest of my life. While at school I lived in a boarding house on a shoe-string budget, but then alot of us did in those days, and I am glad that I learned to do without, because it has helped me to be more aware of those around me in need.

Another alumni has already mentioned how his life was changed by Mike Shepherd, and I too can be counted in that group. One day a friend and I were walking down the street and in front of the Court House we saw a Salvation Army group on the corner, inviting people to a musical that night, and Mike was part of the group. Because we recognized him from school, we went to the musical, and both my friend and I became Christians that night, and I have been a part of The Salvation Army ever since.

My best memory is of going to Mexico on Spring Break with my Spanish Class...obviously it helped shape who (and where) I am today."

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Janice Dudley, Associate of Applied Science, 1971-1977

Janice writes:

“I am semi-retired. I worked for Yavapai College for several years (Athletic Department, Registrar's Office, Student Services and first full-time Nursing Education secretary). I worked for 2 years for the Central Yavapai Fire Direct as their first bookkeeper and payroll clerk.

In 1980, I began working at the VA hospital (now called Northern Arizona VA Health Care System) as a ward secretary, then a transcriptionist, an executive secretary, then a ICC-9 coder and then in Information Technology as a computer specialist. I also created the NAVAHCS intranet site and their logo. I retired from the VA in January of 2005. I now work part-time as a medical transcriptionist for Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

While at Yavapai, I was one of the first women to get an athletic scholarship (I played volleyball, basketball and softball, with softball being my passion). I also fought for women's right with Title IX and attended all of the board meetings regarding women's rights to have school-funded athletics. We went from not being able to have a male coach on the bench (for basketball) and having to drive home from games (not being able to stay overnight due to budget constraints), to being treated equally starting in the 1980s.

I loved going to school at Yavapai. I also loved working there. My fondest memories have to do with the Athletic Department and working for Lynn Merritt. I also remember going to the NJCAA National Softball tournament in Fort Dodge, Iowa. I also remember when our drill team (they wore these funny looking outfits to represent Rough Riders) was invited to perform at Glendale CC. Their drill team, at the time, wore hot pants and black knee-high boots. Yavapai used the old-fashioned record player for the music (Glendale was upscale using a cassette player). Well, our girls were on the floor at half time ready to do their performance; however, the record player didn't work. The girls just stood there for about 5 minutes with smiles on their faces and pom-poms on their hips. Needless to say, they ran off the court and didn't come back for the rest of the game.

All of the instructors were great. Mrs. Merritt was a real gem. You could talk to her about anything. Also, Kimo Miles and Ken Abbott positively impacted me while I was at the College. Lynn and Ken used to pull pranks on each other. One time, Mrs. Merritt got a hold of some "personal" item from Dr. Abbott's locker and hung it from the basketball hoop in the gym. Another time, Kimo Miles was catching for the softball team (without a chest protector or mask) and got slammed in the chest with a softball that had been thrown through a pitching machine. He tried to be cool and macho, but finally had to sit down to catch his breath (he ended up with a bruise that lasted for a couple of weeks).

I've got a bunch of stories but there isn't enough space or time to tell them all.”

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YC Roughrider Baseball Team, 1978

Left to right: John Lee, Peter Otero, David Nenad, George Gohde, Scott Paterson, George Chadwick, Steve Lawrence, Terry Kassien, Kevin Janssen, Dave Heckerl, Ray Etchebarron, Jay Irons. Not pictured: Bart Day.

Great Time Had by All

Hi Barbara and Sky (Head Baseball Coach Smeltzer),

Thanks for all your help putting together our baseball reunion. After 30 years all of us were blown away at the many changes the College has undergone. We were able to gather 13 ex-players who came from places like: Eastern Canada, Delaware, Co, Northern Cal, Southern Cal, Tucson, and several from Phoenix. Everyone was thrilled to come, re-connect, and see how well you've taken care of YC. Sky, the baseball program you've put together looks awesome.

We were excited to see the changes and hear your commitment to the program. YC Baseball has a special place in our collective hearts and it's great to know the program is in VERY steady hands. THANKS!!!

Again, thanks to both of you and we will stay in touch.

Terry Kassien
YC, 1978-1979