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Spencer Parsons, '19 always had a natural love for the outdoors. Growing up in Rouses Point, New York which borders Canada, Parsons was always doing something outside. It's fitting he's serving a 10-month commitment with the United States Forest Service through the AmeriCorps NCCC program where his work has taken him to numerous locations in the southern portion of the United States, fighting wildfires and cleaning up after storms.

With the COVID-19 virus so prevalent in our every day lives, there may not be a more appropriate holiday song for 2020 than "I'll Be Home For Christmas." With that in mind, Alumnus and Opera Singer Dinyar Vania, '99 teamed up with current Onondaga Community College Music students virtually for a rendition of the song. Vania was joined by the following students:

Trevor Scott is comfortable talking about the difficult. He was diagnosed with tourette syndrome at age 5. It's a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that can't easily be controlled. "I have my bad days but other days you wouldn't even know I have it. I try not to treat it like an elephant in the room. If someone asks me what's going on, I tell them."

Watching her grandmother struggle with vision problems inspired Ruweyda Mohamed to want to become an optometrist. She'll take a significant step toward her goal in January when she does an internship at the SUNY College of Optometry. "I'm very excited about it. I would like to one day go back to Somalia and help people who are suffering from vision loss."

Professor Tony Vadala came to Onondaga Community College as a student approximately four decades ago and never left. The environment he found on campus as a student inspired him to have a successful career both inside and outside the classroom. "I experienced a very open, warm, inviting atmosphere. I fit in very well. The RTV (Radio & TV) faculty always described this program as a family and that you would become part of the fabric as you went through here. Whenever I had time outside class I was in the studio working. It was very welcomed.

Joshua Brown, '08 has had December 21, 2020 circled on his calendar for a full year. On that night Saturn and Jupiter will align themselves in such a way they will visually form a "Christmas Star" in the southern hemisphere. It's a sight which hasn't been seen for centuries. "This is so fascinating. The last time these two gems were this close to each other was in the year 1226." Brown says the best time to see the bright star-like symbol will be between 5:00 and 6:15 p.m. You will want to look toward the southwest. By shortly after 6 p.m.

Si Po Ra still can't believe it. She received an early Christmas present this month when SUNY named her one of just 45 students statewide to receive the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence. The award recognizes outstanding students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) for their academic excellence and strength in overcoming significant personal obstacles throughout their lives. "I never thought I would win an award. It makes me feel proud of myself. It's a new step for me. It has helped boost my confidence."