Lauren Kent Math and Science Major Travels to Africa See her story on page 4

Cedric Baggett,
Class of 2015
Billy Jepma,
Class of 2015
Veteran <strong>and</strong> fat<strong>her</strong> of two, Cedric Baggett came <strong>to</strong>
Jefferson upon realizing that it was time for him <strong>to</strong>
get his degree <strong>and</strong> start following his dreams. Cedric
served seven years in the U.S. Navy <strong>and</strong> was employed
in the wind energy field when he decided <strong>to</strong> pursue
his dream of becoming a radio show host. Jefferson
was the first step on his road <strong>to</strong> success.
Cedric first moved <strong>to</strong> Water<strong>to</strong>wn <strong>to</strong> be closer <strong>to</strong>
family <strong>and</strong> from day one Jefferson was on his radar. In
August of 2013 Cedric enrolled in the computer <strong>and</strong>
information technology program, but by his second
semester he found a better fit studying humanities
<strong>and</strong> social sciences. His English <strong>and</strong> business classes
were among his favorites <strong>and</strong> he really began <strong>to</strong> feel
like he was on the right path.
Cedric’s involvement on campus is widespread.
He served as Marketing Manager of the Student
Government Association beginning in Spring of 2014
<strong>and</strong> later went on <strong>to</strong> become Student Government
President. He has also completed all of the required
goals for the National Society of Leadership <strong>and</strong>
Success <strong>and</strong> will be inducted in<strong>to</strong> the society in the
spring of 2016. Cedric also spent the summer of 2015
interning at the local radio station, Tunes 92.5. His
ultimate career goal is <strong>to</strong> become the number one
radio show host in America within ten years. Cedric
will attend SUNY Plattsburgh <strong>and</strong> participate in their
audio <strong>and</strong> radio production program. “I feel like I have
the full support of JCC holding me <strong>to</strong>get<strong>her</strong>. I wouldn’t
be <strong>her</strong>e without JCC.” Cedric also credits much of his
success <strong>to</strong> Frank Doldo, Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Student Activities.
He says, “Without the help of Frank Doldo I wouldn’t
be the leader that I am, I wouldn’t be doing what I
am doing <strong>and</strong> I would not be Student Government
President.”
Billy Jepma of Clay<strong>to</strong>n came <strong>to</strong> Jefferson in the Fall
2014 semester with the intent of pursuing his love
of writing. Now, having completed his degree in
humanities <strong>and</strong> social sciences with a concentration
in creative writing a full semester ahead of schedule,
Billy is looking forward <strong>to</strong> his educational future, but
also looking back on his great success at Jefferson.
Coming from a homeschool environment meant
that Jefferson provided Billy with his first traditional
classroom experience. Billy was pleasantly surprised
<strong>to</strong> find that his instruc<strong>to</strong>rs were everything he could
have asked for. “The quality of the instruc<strong>to</strong>rs was
what not only attracted me <strong>to</strong> Jefferson,” said Billy,
“but they are also what kept me <strong>her</strong>e.”
During his time at Jefferson Billy maintained an
outst<strong>and</strong>ing grade point average <strong>and</strong> graduated
in the Fall 2015 semester with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
He dedicated much of his time <strong>to</strong> the Cannon, the
student run campus newspaper <strong>and</strong> was appointed
edi<strong>to</strong>r in May 2015. Billy’s dedication <strong>to</strong> his academics
<strong>and</strong> his responsibilities <strong>to</strong> the Cannon did not go
unnoticed by his peers, or his superiors. “Billy has
outst<strong>and</strong>ing character,” says Andrea Pedrick, advisor
of the student newspaper club. “As edi<strong>to</strong>r he focused
on what needed <strong>to</strong> be done, he delegated the tasks,
<strong>and</strong> kept staff on track. It takes more than forty hours
of work <strong>to</strong> get a paper ready <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> the publis<strong>her</strong>.
Edi<strong>to</strong>rs balance life, college <strong>and</strong> the paper. It’s not
always an easy task. It’s basically like holding a
full-time job on <strong>to</strong>p of taking full-time classes.” Billy
intends <strong>to</strong> continue his education with focuses in
creative writing <strong>and</strong> film production <strong>and</strong> is currently
weighing his options as <strong>to</strong> w<strong>her</strong>e his aspirations will
take him.
Jefferson Insider - Volume 14 • 11