2008ANNUAL REPORT - Dutchess Community College

classnotesBelieve in MeMichelle Barone, '04 is on the path to fulfilling the dream she's had since she was a child.At age 6 she began singing contemporary music and popular showtunes, working on pitchand range. Even at a young age, she was able to not only appreciate music, but also toidentify with the lyrics. Michelle found herself drawn to Pop and R&B for their dynamicinfusion of rhythm and lyrics. Capturing her own life experiences, "Believe In Me" isalso Michelle's autobiography, illustrating personal chapters of her life that will resonatewith her listeners.Her imaginative and heartfelt lyrics have the capacity to reveal both her tragedies andaspirations, and few singers have Michelle's ability to stylistically change their voiceto suit each song.Michelle's strongest influence was her father- His renditions of Broadway showtunes often floatedthrough their home, showing his daughter that she too could have the courage to sing in front of anaudience.Michelle has recently played at BB. Kings in New York City, opened for NE-YO at the Mid-HudsonCivic Center, and celebrated her album release party at the Chance Theater. She has taken her vocaltraining and education from Dutchess Community College and Marist College to a new level to createthis album. She feels that "this cd is meant for all types of people, it has different songs for differentpeople." She states, "I have many goals, and I'm ready to take on whatever I need to in order to makemy dreams become reality."And the Winner is...Maria Grace Decken, RN, NBCT '82 received the Associationfor Career and Technical Education Region 2 Teacher of the YearAward on Oct. 11, 2008. Region 2 consists of the following states:Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina,Florida, Alabama, Bahamas and Puerto Rico. She will representRegion 2 for the National Teacher of the Year award at the NationalACTE Conference that will be held in Charlotte, NC Dec. 4-6, 2008.Maria Grace Decken is a Health Science Instructor at DanielMorgan Technology Center in Spartanburg, SC and has been for thepast 10 years. Prior to teaching, she worked in Cardiovascular Surgeryand Labor/Delivery as a Charge RN at hospitals in Spartanburg,SC and Med./Surg. at St. Luke's Hospital, Newburgh, NY.12 2008 ANNUAL REPORT