Long Beach City College is always pleased to hear about current students and those who have transferred to four-year colleges or universities and have achieved academic success. Here are the stories from some of these exceptional men and women.
Jonathan Eckman
When I first came to LBCC, I really did not have an idea of what I wanted to do with my life. I received the Long Beach Rotary Club Scholarship from high school. As I went through my classes and spent time talking with the teachers and the counselors, I began to develop ideas about my future. A few who stood out: Jim Schaber, Jan Wallech, and Ron Widera. They were also more than willing to show me what I needed to do to get where I wanted go in life. I also got mentoring from the classified staff. I graduated in June of 1984 with an A.S. in physical science, and a much better idea of where I was going.
I went on to both work at LBCC full time and take part-time classes at Long Beach State. I eventually earned a B.A. in Biology from CSULB in 1995. I then went through the teach credentialing program, and after student teaching at L.B. Poly and Thomas Jefferson Middle School went on to work for Downey Unified as a substitute teacher. I ended up returning to LBCC to work in the operations and maintenance department. I also served in a number of capacities in the classified union, AFT-6108, where I was just elected President of the local last December.
Erica Knauff
I graduated from LBCC in May, 2002. Being a first generation college student I had many questions and concerns. The faculty, staff and counselors at LBCC were so valuable in making my college career a success. I received the Army Emergency Relief and Assistance League of Long Beach Scholarship. I am so thankful to those organizations who have allowed my dream of graduating college come true!
I transferred to CSULB and majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Anthropology. I am so proud to be receiving my Bachelor's Degree in May 2005. I could not have made it through college without the strong foundation LBCC gave me. I'm even on the Dean's List!
I'm applying to graduate school to pursue my Master's Degree in Criminalistics. My career goal is to become a Forensic/Criminalist with a local law enforcement agency. I have always loved college and will continue to apply for scholarships to help me reach my goals. Someday I will create a scholarship because I know how much they help students just like me!
Nadia Y. Flores
At the age of 16, I was already a teenage mother and a high-school dropout. At the time, I had also migrated from Mexico to the United States without knowing any English. In 1993, at the age of 27, with the support of my second husband, and pregnant with my third child, I decided to continue my education. I began my journey by taking ESL classes and attending the Learning Center at Long Beach City College. In May 1993, a week before Jasmine was born, I received my General Education Diploma. I then attended LBCC and received two scholarships, one from the Assistance League of Long Beach and another one from the Long Beach City College Foundation. In May 1996, with the support of the Puente Program at LBCC, I was able to graduate with an AA degree with emphasis on Business Administration and I transferred to University of California, Irvine.
In 1999, I graduated with Honors with a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from UCI. In 2001, I received a Master's Degree in Demography from University of Pennsylvania. In December 2003, I had twin babies, a boy and a girl. In May 2005 I received Ph.D in Sociology from UPENN. In September 2005 I will begin an appointment in a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor in Latin-American Demography at Texas A&M University. As a former teenage mother, Latina immigrant, and mother of five children, I proudly show in my C.V that I am a graduate of LBCC. At LBCC I received all the encouragement, support, and training to go on with my educational goals. Thanks LBCC!!!!
The Hopson Brothers
The Hopson brothers were home schooled until the death of their father Eric Marcus Hopson in late December 1997. In the fall of 1998 Aaron (left) enrolled at Long Beach City College at the age of 14. Casey (left) enrolled at the age of 13 in the fall of 1999 and Sidney (middle) enrolled in the spring of 2000 at age 11!
The oldest, Aaron, now 21, plays flute, electric bass and piano. He began attending Cal State Fullerton in fall of 2005 as a music performance major, after graduating from high school in April 2000 at the age of 15.
The middle son, Casey is 19 years old. He plays classical guidar, jazz guitar and piano. He also arranges music, and gives piano, theory and guitar lessons. Currently, he is a senior at Cal State Fullerton on a full music scholarship; Casey is also in the process of applying for graduate school. He graduated high school in spring 2001 (at age 14). In 1994, he won first place playing classical guitar in a state competition held at San Jose State for the American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
Sindey is the youngest of the Hopson children at 15 years old. He plays stick and mallet percussion, oboe, and piano. He arranges, composes and gives piano, theory, oboe and percussion lessons. He graduated high school in the fall 2003 (at age 14). Sid will be attending University of Southern California on a full music scholarship this fall.
