Stacia Mattson – Psychology
After spending four years at the University of Idaho studying psychology, Stacia Mattson said her college experience has equipped her with much more than a degree.
Philip Vukelich | Argonaut
Seniors Stacia Mattson, Tristen Schneider and Cain Sanchez are among 1,774 students statewide who make up University of Idaho’s class of 2013. Line-up for Spring Commencement begins at 8:15 a.m. May 11 and commencement will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Kibbie Dome. The ceremony will last approximately 2 1/2 hours.
She said her time here has made her realize that learning is a process that continues after graduation.
“The more I learn, the less I know. College has taught me that there is so much more out there to learn about and I never want to stop learning,” Mattson said. “I’m just done with learning in a classroom setting.”
Looking back, Mattson said her most challenging class was Math 143, a course which most students are required to take.
“The most difficult thing I had to do in my college career at UI was go to the Polya math lab and pass Math 143,” she said. “Seriously, that class has a ridiculous amount of work for being a 100-level math class.
Mattson said her favorite experience here was participating in an Alternative Service Break trip during the spring break of her junior year.
“Going to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was probably the best decision of my life so far,” Mattson said. “Helping people is so rewarding. This opportunity changed my viewpoint on life and made me realize how truly blessed I am to have so many opportunities available to me.”
As for her future, Mattson said she doesn’t know what she wants to do, but is going to take it one step at a time.
“I have a job for the summer as a horseback trail guide for a ranch/bed and breakfast,” she said. “After that, who knows? Time for some adventures, I’m free … too bad nothing else is.”
Cain Sanchez – Spanish/Latin American Studies
Wanting to experience university life, Cain Sanchez came to UI as a transfer student from North Idaho College in 2010. He will graduate this May with degrees in Spanish and Latin American studies.
Sanchez said his junior year was spent in South America through a study abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Since I study Latin American studies, it was interesting to actually see firsthand the cultures, traditions and how language changes from country to country,” he said.
Sanchez said because UI gave him the opportunity to study abroad, he has grown as a student, a community member and as a person.
“It really opened my eyes to see the world in a different view,” Sanchez said. “Some people don’t appreciate what we have, but I feel like until you go abroad and see how people live who are less fortunate than you, you won’t fully appreciate what you have.”
When Sanchez returned from South America he said he kicked off senior year by getting involved in various university programs.
“I joined the Student Alumni Relations Board, started working as a mentor for the internationals office, and I became an ISA global ambassador — which is the International Studies Abroad program,” Sanchez said. “And whenever I can, I volunteer here and there.”
This summer, Sanchez said he has locked in an internship with NIC in the student development department.
“I’m in charge of coming up with better strategies for student organizations, planning the retreats for the organizations in the fall and implementing diversity programs for the students,” he said.
After that, Sanchez said he plans to work for AmeriCorps and then return to school to get a master’s degree.
“I recently have applied to some AmeriCorps positions, I have been accepted into one of them, but I am waiting to make my final decision,” he said. “And then I plan to go back to grad school to get my master’s in either student affairs or counseling, just because I have such a passion for working with students and helping them.”
Tristen Schneider – History
Graduating with a degree in history, Tristen Schneider said choosing UI for his education is one of the best decisions he has ever made.
“In my time here I have made great friends, met the woman of my dreams and learned from professors who have changed the very foundation upon which I have based my understanding of the world,” Schneider said.
Schneider said the most valuable takeaway from his college experience is the friendships he has made during the last four years.
“There is nothing like making friends who will be with you for life,” Schneider said. “Who grow and learn alongside you at every turn.”
Schneider said he chose to study history because it was a subject he had enjoyed for as long as he could remember and that would give him the foundation needed to understand the environment around him.
“History has taught me that there is no such thing as coincidences in this world,” he said.
In the future, Schneider wants to help people in any way he can, starting with getting involved in serving his community.
“I’m not immediately going back into academia or into the history field,” he said. “I’m going to enroll in a firefighting academy and do my best to help those around me.”
Ray Lyon- School of Journalism
Ray Lyon is in his fourth year at UI and will graduate this May.
Lyon, 22, is majoring in broadcasting and digital media.
Lyon, from Coeur d’ Alene, said one of the reasons he chose UI is the in-state tuition.
“I didn’t have any sort of innate desire to go to some prestigious university because I think that ultimately the education is the same,” Lyon said.
Broadcasting and digital media is in the UI School of Journalism and Mass media and focuses on video and audio production.
“I’ve always been into video production, so it has always been something that’s interested me,” Lyon said.
He said in the program, students can go one of two ways — traditional broadcasting or short, narrative films.
Lyon chose the latter.
“The U of I focuses heavily on journalism so there weren’t that many hands-on video production classes,” Lyon said. “However with the professors I had, particularly Denise Bennett, I feel like I’ve improved an incredible amount.”
Because Lyon graduates next week, the biggest question is: what’s next? He said he will stay with his girlfriend in Moscow for another year, but this summer he’s doing an internship.
“It’s with a small, non-profit organization called Tisbest Philanthropy,” Lyon said. “They want a video presence online, so that’s what I’ll be doing.”
The company sells gift cards, but not in the traditional sense. They sell gift cards that go toward charity foundations.
“They’ve been around for about four years,” Lyon said. “They market toward big companies who will give these gift cards to their employees.”
Lyon is excited for the next chapter in his life and said he’s glad he graduated on time.
Dara Heiple-School of Music
Dara Heiple is graduating with a degree in applied music.
“Part of the degree is American Indian Studies,” Heiple said. “But most of it is percussion performance emphasis, music composition and voice studies.”
Heiple, 22, said she was satisfied with UI’s music department.
“I think it ended up giving me the best education for what I’m looking for,” she said.
While her major mostly focused on music, Heiple said her main passion and love is for American Indian studies.
“I just love American Indian studies,” she said. “Because it’s so important to me I’m thinking I should just focus on that rather than my music.”
Heiple is a transfer student who came here from Whitman College. She came to UI for a concert and was approached by the music department.
“I was really impressed with the teaching methods here,” she said. “And talking to the students, they all seemed to really love the program.”
Heiple said that next she wants to go to Alaska.
“My big dream is to bring music performance to places that don’t normally get that,” she said. “Which is especially villages in Alaska, and a lot of reservations don’t have music programs.”
Amber Emery and Aaron Bharucha can be reached at [email protected]