Monthly Archives: December 2012
Dec. 31-Jan. 4
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Pierce College will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, for the New Years Day holiday. Campus offices will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, however.
Winter quarter classes start Jan. 7.
Happy 2013, Raiders!
Dec. 24-28
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Pierce College campuses are closed Dec. 24-28. Happy holidays, Raiders!
Winter quarter classes start Jan. 7.
Raiders host Team NPIRE from Australia
The Raider women’s basketball team host Team NPIRE – a select team from Australia – in a scrimmage on Dec. 12 at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom.
The ladies from down under gave the Raiders a good go of it, but came up short in the end, as Pierce pulled away for an unofficial 72-60 victory.
Team NPIRE is in the U.S. on a two-week tour, with a schedule that includes games against high school and community college teams.
Persistence literally pays off for Pierce nursing student
Elisa Hardesty
After submitting more than 100 scholarship applications and essays, Elisa Hardesty has her reward: nearly $20,000 to use towards her education.
“I knew I was going to run out of money before I got to nursing school,” explained Hardesty. “I ended up spending a couple hours a week researching scholarships and applying for everything I could. I knew I wanted to go to nursing school and I knew scholarships were the only way I was going to pay for it.”
Hardesty has spent the last three years at Pierce College completing the prerequisites for the nursing program. In November, she was accepted into the competitive program. When she finishes, she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing and continue working to become a midwife.
The scholarships she’s earned so far will make that dream come true.
“I was so stressed out about school and how I was going to pay for it,” she said. “I can’t be a single mom, a full-time student, and work full-time, so scholarships are critical for me. I can’t even tell you how big a relief it is.”
Hardesty’s largest single award, a $10,000 Pearson Prize, a national scholarship that honors community service, included a trip to New York City for a leadership conference in August. There, Hardesty completed team building workshops and took part in activities that inspired her to continue her community service efforts locally.
Her favorite service is as a volunteer doula at St. Joseph’s Hospital. As a future midwife, this work solidifies Hardesty’s resolve and keeps her motivated. She loves helping new mothers and bringing babies into the world.
“I love being a doula,” she described. “I get to be with a mom from the time she checks in to the time her baby eats. I give mostly on-the-spot support to women who come in alone or who don’t have adequate support. I just love being part of it. I know that’s what I was meant to do.”
Hardesty is a mother herself and gives as much time as she can to Cameron, 8, and Natalie, 6. It’s a difficult juggle between home, school, and the hospital, but Hardesty and her children know it will be worth it in the end.
“I want to be able to give my kids everything other kids have, but, right now, my answer is always ‘when I graduate,’” she said candidly. “Being a parent adds up and I know it’s hard on them, but I know they understand. I think they’re proud of me. My daughter tells everyone, ‘My mommy is going to be a baby doctor.’”
Even with $20,000 in scholarships in-hand, Hardesty still spends several hours every month completing applications and working towards securing additional funds. She is especially driven towards scholarships that cover basic living expenses. She wishes more scholarships offered that kind of flexibility. She sees it as a huge funding gap that affects many students.
“We’ve already proven we’re dedicated and focused on finishing, and we’ve earned the trust that we’ll use the money responsibly,” she said. “There are so many dedicated students out there who have the ambition and the drive to keep going. They just don’t have the money.”
Hardesty’s advice to other struggling students is to apply for everything, especially local scholarships. The Pearson Prize was her only national award; everything else came from local sources and in denominations of $200-2,000 each. Several small scholarships can add up to big money, if students take the time to apply, said Hardesty.
“Don’t be afraid to tell your story,” she advised. “That’s what makes you stand out. And, don’t get discouraged. If you keep trying and keep putting yourself out there, it will happen. You just have to be willing to try.”
Dec. 17-21
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
We are currently on winter break, but college offices are open.
Winter quarter classes start Jan. 7.
Dec. 10-13
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Final exams are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Winter quarter starts Jan. 7.
Friday, Dec. 7
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
7 p.m. – Fall Choir Concert. Arts and Allied Health Theatre, Pierce Puyallup.
Look ahead…The fall choir concert will repeat at 7 p.m. Saturday and the Pierce College Concert Band will perform with the Fort Steilacoom Concert Choir at 3 p.m. Sunday. All concerts are in the Arts and Allied Health Theatre at Pierce Puyallup. Open to all!
Raider women host holiday invitational Dec. 7-9
The Pierce College women’s basketball program invites you to join them for three days of top-flight college basketball Dec. 7-10, as they host eight community college teams from around the Pacific Northwest in the Fifth Annual Raiders Holiday Invitational Tournament!!
Play begins on Friday, Dec. 7, with games scheduled at 2 p.m.(Lane vs Green River), 4 p.m.(Wenatchee Valley vs Skagit Valley), 6 p.m.(Clackamas vs Peninsula), and 8 p.m. (Olympic vs Pierce). Game times on Saturday are 1, 3, 5, and 7 p.m. The tournament wraps up on Sunday, with games at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tournament championship game will follow at 3 p.m.
Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for seniors/military/non-Pierce students. Kids under 12 and Pierce College students (with ID) get in for FREE!!
A tournament pass is available on Friday for $14 — good for admission for all three days!
If you can’t make it to the games in person, you can still follow the action – go to, www.pierce.ctc.edu/athletics, and click on RaiderTV (“Watch Live”).
Thursday, Dec. 6
Fort Steilacoom
All day – Raider Spirit Week: Raider Colors Day. Maroon and gray to chase the winter blues away.
6 p.m. – Raider Review. Cascade 420. Free.
Puyallup
Noon – Student Council Meeting. Open to all. Arts and Allied Health 234.
Look ahead…The fall choir concert will be at 7 p.m. Friday in the Arts and Allied Health Theatre at Pierce Puyallup.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Fort Steilacoom
All day – Raider Spirit Week: Formal Wear Day. Get your fancy on.
2 p.m. – Student Government Meeting. Open to all. Cascade 421.
Puyallup
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Blood Drive. The mobile blood bank is on campus collecting donations. Save a life for the holidays.
8 p.m. to midnight – Cram n’ Jam. The library and computer labs will be open for late-night studying. Finals start Monday. Free food will be available in the College Center.
Look ahead…Raider Spirit Week continues at Pierce Fort Steilacoom with Raider Colors Day on Thursday.
