Top grades, excellent personalities, and a willingness to commit to "boldly go where no man . . . " -- well, almost!

The eight students who serve as Craven Community College's 2003-04 ambassadors help out with registration and lead tours on campus, blow up balloons and serve popcorn, appear on television, and generally represent the college to the community.

In exchange for their service, the ambassadors receive tuition for the two semesters they serve, thanks to the Craven Community College Foundation, and official apparel to wear when representing Craven Community College. The group represents all curriculum areas of the college.

Returning for a second year as an ambassador is Sandra Barnett, who, as an early education major, plans to continue toward a four-year degree so she can teach. Sandra's husband and all four of her children have also attended Craven.

Sandra appeared in this year's CCC television advertising campaign along with Adam Farnham, a manufacturing technology major and BSH apprentice who recently graduated from West Craven High School. Like most ambassadors, Adam fits in his service around a full day of work and classes.


Taking over as lead ambassador this year is business administration major Jeanette Young. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Jeanette has come back to the college. Like Sandra, she has attended Craven along with her children.

Rosemary Garcia, active in the Spanish Club, plans to continue her education toward a medical degree after leaving Craven Community College. Rosemary is also a lab assistant in Building F.

One ambassador already holds a four-year degree (in biology) and has returned to college to pursue an associate's degree in nursing. Barbara Gaskins is a mother of three, and fits in her job as a medical transcriptionist around her classes.

Tin Lay Nwe is originally from Burma. A wife and mother of a young daughter, Tin Lay has already completed an associate in applied science degree in accounting and is now completing more courses to transfer toward a bachelor's degree.

Robin Price is a recent New Bern High School graduate who is pursuing an associate's degree in networking technology, after having worked as a systems administrator. He has already completed some Cisco certification courses.

Rounding out the ambassador program is Kate Snyder, a biology major. She is married and has three children. Kate is already active with Pop Warner cheerleading, as well as her home, family and "a plethora of pets."

CCC Ambassadors Tin Lay Nwe (back row, l), Kate Snyder, Sandra Barnett, Barbara Gaskins, Adam Farnham, Jeanette Young, Rosemary Garcia, and Robin Price take a breath on campus.