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June 2, 2006     Barnstable Patriot
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June 2, 2006
 
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Rite of passage Cape college confers more than 500 degrees 8y Kathleen Szmit Manwaring kmanwaring@barnstablepatnot.com KATHLEEN SZMIT MANWARING PHOTOS A CLASS OF THEIR OWN - Member of the 4Cs Class of 2006 mug tor the cameras prior to the processional. Five-hundred-thirty-two degrees were conferred by the college on May 25, with several hundred taking part in the ceremony at the Melody Tent in Hyannis. For most people, May 25 was simply another Thursday. For 500-plus students inroyal blue caps and gowns it was a milestone:the 44th commence- ment of Cape Cod Community College, graduation night at Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. Just after 7p.m.withbagpip- ers leading the way, the class of 2006 began the procession. Student speaker Kim Orlando reminded her classmateshow they'd made it. "Thisis aday to celebrate,a day to add to our scrapbooks, a day to remember," she said, noting that her decision to re- turn to college to enroll inthe nursing program was difficult given that it meant juggling work , school and family. "We have not made it alone. Oth- ers have also made sacrifices to help us." Orlando offered gratitude to family members and friends who lent assistance when times were tight, as well as to the faculty who encouraged all students on their educational journey. For his dedication to teach- ing and his instillation of enthusiasm in his students, JimShaw,Professor of Physics and Astronomy, was given the Excellence inTeachingAward. "We are humbled by the sub- ject materialand the way this man teaches,"said President Kathleen Schatzberg. An honorary degree was conferred upon Carol Chichet- to of Brewster for her tireless efforts regarding domestic vi- olence awareness. Chichetto, the backbone of The Clothes- line Project , a grassroots endeavor that began on Cape Cod, is instrumental in bring- ing the display of Clothesline shirts designed by survivors of domestic violence to the college each year. DianeKovandaofCenterville was named Alumna of the Year.She came to the Cape in 1968 after escaping with her mother from what was then Russian-occupied Czechoslo- vakia. In spite of a language barrier,Kovanda learned Eng- lishandwent on to attend 4Cs, as well as earn a Master 's in Education from Cambridge College. "Diane calls Cape Cod home and has given back to this community in so many ways," Wendy Northcross , CEO of the Cape Cod Cham- ber of commerce , said in her remarks. "Diane has fol- lowed her dreams of providing health and wellness support by studying various forms of complementary healthcare and it is now our pleasure to welcome her back as Alumna of the Year." A moving tribute to the graduates came from com- mencement speaker Jackie Jenkins-Scott , president of Boston's Wheelock College. "Each of our graduates are here tonight having achieved avery significant accomplish- ment," she said. "You set a goal,you worked hard and you achieved your goal." In her deeply personal speech , Jenkins recounted her struggles as the great granddaughter of slaves, and as the first in her family to attend college. "I am a living example of the "American Dream,"she said. "I know first hand that America - with all its warts, problems and issues -is still a place where dreams can come true." Jenkins-Scott advised each of the graduates to become catalysts for change: "In our personal lives, in the com- munities in which we live and work , in our nation , and indeed , in the world. " Then it was time for the mo- ment those in blue caps were waiting for: diplomas. One by one the graduates accepted their degrees to the cheers, whistles , and tears ofjoy from loved ones in the crowd. When all was said and done, it was clear that many were still considering the admon- ishment of their classmate Orlando , who said, "I chal- lenge you to make a difference in the world. " So glad to be here CCCC Alumna of the Year reflects on overcoming adversity By Kathleen Manwaring kmanwanng@barnstablepatriot.com If you've ever heard the name Diane Kovanda and seem to recognize it but aren't certain why, take a moment. Reflect. Chances are you know Kovanda's name not because you've met her personally, but because you've seen one other wonderful DVD's. Kovanda is the creator and videographer of the Cape Cod Reflections ofBeaid y DVD's, video postcards of the ex- quisite natural beauty of the Cape, a place Kovanda loves deeply. Although it is not the only home she has ever known, it is the only home she has truly become a part of. Last week Kovanda was honored by Cape Cod Com- munity College as its Alumna of the Yearduring graduation ceremonies held at the Melody Tent. "Oh my goodness," she said of the honor. "I was just so floored! It's a rite of pas- sage." When Diane Kovanda was a child she went by the name Jarmila,which means "Sprin g Favor."Shelived with her par- ents in Communist-occupied Czechoslovakia, in Prague. "I livedin acity of stone, cement and castles," she said. Unfortunately, it was a time of great political unrest in Czechoslovakia. Outspoken citizens were being jailed , or worse, for speaking out against Communism. Because Kovanda'smother was such a woman, her safe- ty was compromised. With her young daughter in tow, Kovanda'smother escaped on a night train and relocated to the United States, settling on Cape Cod. "My mother knew one person in the US and he just happened to be [here], " said Kovanda. For many, Cape Cod is a retreat , a vacation place where they come to escape the stresses of the working world. To Kovanda , the Cape is a sanctuary. Because she had few oppor- tunities as a child to be out- doors except when she visited her grandparents in the Czech countryside , Kovanda was immediately smitten with the Cape landscape. "Nature was very healing to us," she said "Where I got my strengt h was out in the wild places. " Kovanda 'sinability to speak English and having an un- usual moniker made school a challenge. "I would just get tormented all day for my name." she said. Poverty was also an obstacle for Kovanda and her mother. "I've lived all over," she said. "We had to move when sum- mer came so we moved a lot. " Other than her mother , Kovanda's one constant was nature. She delighted in the outdoors. When she took a photography course in high school she put her camera to work. "It was the first exciting thing I ever did in school ,"she said. "I became obsessed with getting the perfect picture of a flower. " Perhaps because of her childhood struggles , Kovanda felt deeply for children in simi- lar situations. While living on Fresh Holes Road, she became a part of the Big Brother/Big Sister program. "There was this little girl who would sit on my step every day," she recalled. "To get my attention she would throw my lawn fur- niture in the bushes. " Although that little girl was too young for the program , her sister became Kovanda 's first "little " and she was the second. So strong was her involvement in the program , she was named Big Sister of the Year in 1986. Photos other "littles"adorn her refrigerator. She still keeps in touch with all of them, one of whom is serving in the Middle East. After graduatin g from CCCC, Kovanda received a Masters in Education from Cambridge College. These days she is a stress-reduc- tion counselor in Cotuit , as well as a Yoga instructor and videographer. When she isn't traversing the Cape, video camera in hand , she enjoys time in her Centerville home with her husband , Jack Adams , and their menagerie of pets includ- ing Diva the Dog and three cockatiels. Although Kovanda has seen her share of problems , and eventually changed her name to Diane, she feels blessed to have washed ashore on Cape Cod. "I walk Long Beach and after a while I know all the walkers ," she said. "All the dogs, the kids in the back- pack carriers. It's an amazing connection. I'm so glad I'm here." BETTER STONES of Cap e Cod 56 Communications Way (508) 790-6969 • BARK MULCH • BRICK • LOAM Face & Paving • DRIVEWAY STONES • COBBLESTONES Native & Blue . PATH STONES • CRUSHED SHELLS • WALL STONES SfrecuvU • Hemlock Mulch 3 yards $133 delivered • Colonial Wallstones $205 per pallet •5x5x9 Cobblestones $210 each I BR§ak^way WE SELL GRILLS Come visit our 2nd location ^JffijHgfe at trinity Place ^m f P Route 28, Mashpee ^^^^^^ Next to Boston Interiors <^H ARK | k}J&. 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