May - Wingspan

28WingspanfeaturesMay 2, 2011wingspan.lccc.wy.eduFutureFederalCriminalProfilerBy Hannah WheelerCo-EditorStraight blonde hair, a ready smile and aslim frame are not exactly the characteristicsthat come to mind most often whenyou think of a future federal criminal profiler.The first such persona is a man with a grizzlyvoice who is wise about the way the mind worksbecause of his many years “on the force.”Erika Marie Coonts may not fit that persona,but spend five minutes with her and anyonewould soon realize how appropriate her choicewas in pursuing a criminal justice degree.Coonts is not necessarily a hero. She hasnot saved lives and does not yet have years ofexperience under her belt, but she does possessan energy for life and a spirit that allow herto become excited over seemingly mundaneevents and cause her to put forth her best effort,no matter what. A 23-year-old criminal justiceand psychology major at Laramie CountyCommunity College, Coonts has high aspirationsfor her future.Coonts is currently preparing to graduatefrom LCCC in May 2012 and has been attendingLCCC since spring semester 2010. Prior toLCCC, Coonts attended the University of Maineand majored in history because, at the time, shewanted to be a history teacher.“It’s hard for kids fresh out of high school tomake decisions,” Coonts said. She said whenshe used to tell people she wanted to be a historyteacher, they wouldn’t believe her becausethey just couldn’t believe she would fit into thatjob. Coonts said she loved history but was notcut out to be a teacher.“Now, when I tell people I’m a criminal justicemajor, they say ‘Oh, that fits,’” Coonts saidwith a chuckle. However, that is not the only aspectof Coonts’ persona that many people findincredulous. Coonts said she currently worksat Victoria’s Secret in the Frontier Mall. Shesaid most people do a double-take and say thatdoesn’t fit her. Wearing the all-black uniformfrom Victoria’s Secret, Coonts looked somewherebetween James Bond and Catwoman,of which Coonts would most likely pick JamesBond.Print ‘em:Laramie County Community Collegecriminal justice student Erika Coontspractices fingerprinting a suspect.