Menninger4.2012 Cochise Cats Newsletter Cochise Cats Newsletter April 2012 April 2012 W W hen you’re weary, Feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all…” Like the classic Simon and Garfunkel song, the Cochise Cats program has proven to be a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for a stellar Cochise College/University of Arizona South student who continues to overcome adversity. After graduating from Buena High School in Sierra Vista in 2000, like most teens growing up in the area, Jason Brumfield, yearned to “escape” the slow pace. He prompt- ly joined the U.S. Army. Four years later, his military experience working in aircraft electronics landed Brum- field a job with a civilian firm in Pennsylvania. Laid off from that position, he returned to Sierra Vista and became a very good chef in the area – so good in fact that Brumfield was invited to Los Angeles to manage a kitchen. “I started getting really sick and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,” he said. A chance meeting with a doctor in Tucson revealed “an extremely rare blood clotting disorder which makes it very difficult for me to stand for long periods.” The dream of being a renowned chef was deterred as Brumfield trekked to Tucson and Phoenix to see specialists to monitor and maintain his ailment. “…I’m on your side, When times get rough, And friends just can’t be found, Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down…” It was during one of his trips to Phoenix that Brumfield met Tiffany Huxhold, who was being treated by specialists for seizures. “Even with his adversities, Jason was always helping others – always looking at the bright side of things.” Tiffany and Jason opted to make a home in Sierra Vista. They have been engaged for six years. “My medical issues prevented me from returning to the kitchen,” Brumfield lamented. “I’ve never been one to sit around and do nothing, so I enrolled in classes at Cochise College. I earned two degrees (avionics and electronics), but none of my classes transferred over to University of Arizona. The Cochise Cats Partnership Joint efforts in helping students reach their goal UPCOMING EVENTS April 11: Prof Develop- ment: Educating Migrant Students in a Bi-national Context. [email protected]April 13: ASUAS Officer Application Packets due (UA South student government) April 20: Celebrating Wildcats: Past, Present, Future (Douglas) April 21: Red and White Banquet—Cochise Col- lege April 24: Arts and Music Festival—Cochise Col- lege April 26: What Not To Wear Fashion Show Cochise College April 28: SPRING ZING!, Art and Crafts Fair at UA South Sierra Vista (See last page) April 12-15: SPRING FLING, largest student- run Carnival. springfling.arizona.edu Cochise Cats proves to be student’s Cochise Cats proves to be student’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ By Anthony Reed By Anthony Reed Michael Boardman (South Foundation) honors Jason Brumfield with Foundation Scholarship alongside Dr. Jim Shockey (CEOUA South)
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Transcript
Menninger4.2012
C o c h i s e C a t s N e w s l e t t e rC o c h i s e C a t s N e w s l e t t e r A p r i l 2 0 1 2A p r i l 2 0 1 2
WW hen you’re weary, Feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I
will dry them all…”
Like the classic Simon and Garfunkel
song, the Cochise Cats program has proven to
be a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for a stellar
Cochise College/University of Arizona South
student who continues to overcome adversity.
After graduating from Buena High
School in Sierra Vista in 2000, like most teens
growing up in the area, Jason Brumfield,
yearned to “escape” the slow pace. He prompt-
ly joined the U.S. Army.
Four years later, his military experience working in aircraft electronics landed Brum-
field a job with a civilian firm in Pennsylvania. Laid off from that position, he returned to Sierra
Vista and became a very good chef in the area – so good in fact that Brumfield was invited to
Los Angeles to manage a kitchen.
“I started getting really sick and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,”
he said. A chance meeting with a doctor in Tucson revealed “an extremely rare blood clotting
disorder which makes it very difficult for me to stand for long periods.”
The dream of being a renowned chef was deterred as Brumfield trekked to Tucson
and Phoenix to see specialists to monitor and maintain his ailment.
“…I’m on your side, When times get rough, And friends just can’t be found, Like a
bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down…”
It was during one of his trips to Phoenix that Brumfield met Tiffany Huxhold, who was
being treated by specialists for seizures.
“Even with his adversities, Jason was always helping others – always looking at the
bright side of things.”
Tiffany and Jason opted to make a home in Sierra Vista. They have been engaged
for six years.
“My medical issues prevented me from returning to the kitchen,” Brumfield lamented.
“I’ve never been one to sit around and do nothing, so I enrolled in classes at Cochise College.
I earned two degrees (avionics and electronics), but none of my classes transferred over to
University of Arizona.
The Cochise Cats Partnership Joint efforts in helping students reach their goal
C o c h i s e C a t s p r o v e s t o b e s t u d e n t ’ s C o c h i s e C a t s p r o v e s t o b e s t u d e n t ’ s ‘ B r i d g e O v e r T r o u b l e d W a t e r ’‘ B r i d g e O v e r T r o u b l e d W a t e r ’
By Anthony ReedBy Anthony Reed
Michael Boardman (South Foundation) honors Jason Brumfield
with Foundation Scholarship alongside Dr. Jim Shockey
(CEOUA South)
Menninger4.2012
Continued...
“…When you’re down and out, When you’re on the
street, When evening falls so hard, I will comfort
you…”
“I first heard about Cochise Cats from the signs
around the Cochise College (Sierra Vista) campus,” Brum-
field said. “With two degrees that would not transfer to a
four-year school, I wasn’t sure what my next step would be
– especially taking into consideration my medical issues. I
saw a few Cochise Cats presentations, did a little more
research, and thought I could benefit from the program.”
Brumfield was enrolled in a computer science class
at Cochise College when he signed up for Cochise Cats.
Through the Cochise Cats initiative, he is on track to earn
his third Cochise College degree, along with a bachelor’s
degree from the University of Arizona South. The overa-
chiever is currently enrolled in a total of 24 hours this se-
mester (10 from Cochise College and 14 from UA South).
He has his sights set on earning a degree in Computer Sci-
ence.
Despite a massive course load and dealing with his
medical issues, Brumfield
still finds time to make a
home life with Tiffany, care
for his parents, volunteer
helping youth and the el-
derly in the community,
while also serving as an
Executive Board Member
at American Legion Post
#52 in Sierra Vista.
“I’m trying to get my life started,” he said. “I want
to help others the way the Cochise Cats staff and faculty
has helped me.”
The recent recipient of the University of Arizona
South Continuing Education Full Tuition Award credits
Cochise Cats for all of his educational success.
“If it wasn’t for Cochise Cats, I would not be at the Universi-ty of Arizona right now,” he admitted. This program is defi-nitely needed. It has enabled me to go to school. Because of Cochise Cats, the transition to a four-year school was very easy. I’m even getting job offers...here at Fort Huachuca. A positive attitude and programs like Cochise Cats is a great way to change the world.”
“…See how they shine, If you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind, Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind…”
Cochise Cats Partnership is a joint-effort between Cochise
College and the University of Arizona which maps out a “pathway to success” allowing students to attend Cochise
College for two years in an approved program that ensures a seamless transition from junior college to the University
of Arizona.
The Cochise Cats initiative provides participants with ac-cess to Cochise College and UA South resources. It in-
cludes joint-advising with assigned academic advisors from both institutions, workshops on career planning, financial aid, wellness and nutrition. It also allows students to be-
come acquainted with UA South students, faculty and staff.
For more information about these and other programs,
go to www.cochisecats.org.
Ten Tips For College Veterans
These tips are courtesy of the National Association of Veterans' Programs Administrators (NAVPA).
These are their ten best suggestions for returning veterans thinking about going to college as