We’d like to give a warm welcome to our new student ambassadors that will be joining our program this semester to help us spread Puma Pride. Make sure to follow us on Instagram stories for a behind the scenes look at their lives.
Amy Bockerstette is a member of our Puma family and stays active taking a variety of dance classes, as well as tennis and cardiovascular fitness. Amy is a member of the PVCC Women’s Golf Team, and famously made par during a practice round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with professional golfers Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar. She is the first person with Down syndrome to receive an athletic scholarship to attend college. Recently, Amy was appointed by the White House to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. “I’m looking forward to helping them move their mission forward to increase sports participation among youth of all backgrounds and abilities and to promote healthy and active lifestyles for everyone,” she said.
Amy is staying busy amidst the pandemic taking cooking classes, playing the piano, playing golf and walking several miles weekly, however, she is eager to get back to in-person learning and spending time with her teammates. Her advice for students new to online learning is to keep a regular schedule including study time. “Do at least a little homework, reading or studying daily and don’t fall behind.”
Matt Alvitre is a veteran, who served in the U.S. Army 160tth Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He first attended PVCC in 2013 and recently returned to obtain his certificate in management. As an older student here at PVCC, and our oldest student ambassador, Matt is looking forward to showing that age is just a number; it doesn’t matter. “We are all here for similar reasons, to further our education, extend our knowledge, and pursue our goals,” he said.
This semester, Matt will be studying business courses. As for advice, Matt said that to be successful with online learning you need to “own your results. The outcome of the semester is entirely up to you. Stay dedicated and diligent in your work.”
Matt worked through PVCC’s Veterans department to take advantage of financial assistance that supports vets going back to school. For more information about the department and its programs, contact nathan.kelly@paradisevalley.edu.