Cassandra Rogowski

Program: Practical Nursing

After suffering a rare spinal cord stroke, Cassandra overcame the odds!

Cassandra Rogowski is looking forward to a rewarding career in the medical field. She knows all too well how frightening it can be to be a patient. On August 23, 2009, while beginning the second semester of the BATC Practical Nursing Program, Cassandra suffered a rare spinal cord stroke. “I was wheel chair bound for about a month — paralyzed from mid-chest down. If you pushed me, I’d fall over because my core muscles were gone. It was really frightening! Many told me I’d never walk again. Some of my care givers were completely unaware this kind of condition even existed. This experience has given me a whole new perspective I believe I can use to help others.”

“When I was paralyzed and very uncertain that I could keep going as a student, my instructors never gave up on me. They cared deeply about me, my situation, and were great advocates of my success. I’m also impressed with my classmates. Not only are they knowledgeable, but they have excellent skills, great compassion, and unwavering dedication. It’s inspiring to be in their midst and I think we help lift the bar of excellence for one another. BATC really does produce top notch, quality students. The unique training methods are a great mix of academics with hands-on expertise.”

Cassandra continues, “My goal is to become a Registered Nurse and work at Primary Children’s Hospital. I am so rewarded whenever I can put a smile on a child’s face or calm his or her fears. Because of my own personal health experiences, I think I have a special understanding and empathy I can draw on to help children and their parents have hope and believe in a better tomorrow.”

While never wanting to go through an ordeal such as this again, “It has made me a better person,” explains Cassandra. “I’m proud that I didn’t give up. While I still can’t feel the majority of my right leg, heat, cold, or pain; I keep telling my doctor ‘100 percent recovery!’ I’ve come a long way and strive to do my best every day.”

"People can accomplish some pretty amazing things when they have hope and put their whole heart and mind to it." -Cassandra Rogowski

Tonya Egbert

Program: Fashion Merchandising

Employment: Maurices

Tonya began the high school Fashion Merchandising program the summer before her Junior year on the recommendation of her older sister, a former fashion student. “I took advantage of two summer sessions and also attended during regular school hours my junior and senior years. I worked quickly through the high school curriculum and then said, “This is great! What’s next?”

Tonya continued through the adult curriculum and will graduate with the other post high school students at the December 2009 graduation ceremonies. She has worked hard to complete both the high school and adult programs while working in the industry. “It has been a challenge to keep up with everything, but I’ve enjoyed it. I found that it forced me to keep my responsibilities organized.”

Tonya is a sales associate at Maurices – a position she has held since July 2008. “I did an internship with them and during that experience they put me through their Management Training program.” She plans to continue her career at Maurices full-time once she graduates from Mountain Crest this May.

Tonya, a Mountain Crest High School student, is elated that she had the opportunity to complete the entire adult Fashion Merchandising certificate during high school. “I have saved myself a full year and approximately $2,000!”

Andrew Howard

Program: Professional Truck Driving (CDL)

Employment: Werner Enterprises

Andrew says, "I'm now a Net Op for Werner and run between Salt Lake City and Cheyenne. I love it! The money is decent and I get to spend more time with my family. I'm glad I chose BATC to get my CDL; they have given me tools for my success."

Andrew was recognized for excellence by Werner Enterprises. "Werner Enterprises takes extreme pride in knowing that year after year we continue to put on the road the safest, most productive, professional fleet of drivers. We appreciate your staff for the outstanding job you did in helping prepare one of your former students to become a Werner Enterprises team member and to be recognized as one of the most professional drivers on the road today."

Edward 'Ted' Chalfant

Program: Real Estate
Employment: Real Estate Agent, @ Home Realty Network

When the physical limitations of being a brick mason with titanium shoulders got to be too much, Ted Chalfant decided he needed a new career. Real Estate seemed like a natural fit with twenty five years of construction background and expertise. After looking into several licensing schools and online programs, Ted, and his wife Stephanie, signed up to take the 90-hour, pre-licensing course at BATC. Ted says, "I wanted more interaction with the instructors than I could get with an online course. I wanted to get more out of the class than just the ability to pass the state licensing test.”

The BATC course fit the bill. It was a great mix of instructors, hands-on experience, practical applications, and scenarios – just what Ted and Stephanie were looking for. They signed up to take the winter session, which ran January through March 2008 and were licensed on May 1. An agent with @ Home Realty, Ted has been one of the six ‘top volume’ agents in the Logan office, inspite of the weakened economy. Ted figured if he could sell one home a month he’d be lucky and pleased. In the last two months he has closed on 12 homes!

Ted and Stephanie have also taken advantage of the continuing education courses offered at BATC. The format, facility, and instruction were “far superior of other continuing education courses,” says Ted.

“A career in real estate is a hard one. You must be very motivated, knowledgeable, and have excellent communication and people skills.” Ted continues, “It’s a lot harder than most people who enter the field anticipate, but worth every bit of the effort.”

Cole Checketts

Program: Meat Services
Credential: BATC Certificate of Proficiency
Employment: Clark’s Market, Assistant Manager

"Anybody want to move to Colorado?" was the question that put Cole Checketts on the career path he is currently enjoying. This Cache Valley native began the Meat Services Program as a Mountain Crest senior and was granted a scholarship for the full-time program. After serving a mission in South Dakota, Cole was anxious to get back to BATC and develop skills that would provide job security for his future. "Everyone needs to eat, right?"

Cole survived a grueling schedule of six hours in class Monday through Friday followed by an eight hour shift in the Meat Department at Macey’s until 10 or 11 each night. “Not much of a social life, but I figured I would work hard during the week then relax and have fun on the weekends. I really wanted to keep my scholarship, and the discipline I developed because of my strict schedule was good for me.” Cole completed the full-time program in nine months.

Cole now works as the Assistant Manager in the Meat Department of Clark’s Market in Telluride, Colorado, a resort town in the southwest part of the state. “Lots of perks working in this area! Our busy time is November through March and then again June through September. We get to enjoy great skiing, film festivals, blue grass festivals, etc.”

His advice to teenagers and young adults, “Take advantage of every opportunity to gain a skill. It’s something of great value you’ll have your entire life. Learn all you can and never give up!”

Sarah Grange

Program: Interior Design
Credential: BATC Certificate of Proficiency
Employment: Flaire, Owner

"I've always been driven to design - it's my passion! Several years ago my husband and I were building a home and both attending the university. We simply couldn't afford it; so as heartsick as I was, I put my schooling there on hold," explains Sarah Grange, owner of a design company called Flaire.

Looking for another avenue, Sarah found the Interior Design Program at BATC very affordable! "Bridgerland fulfilled my need to learn and be creative," says Sarah. The flexibility BATC offers was perfect. She could attend classes while keeping her job working for Black Eyed Susan, a store her grandmother owned. The scholarship she was awarded at BATC allowed her to finish her studies.

“You get from BATC exactly what you put into it. If you want it, you can find it and achieve it here!” Sarah further explained that she loved the self-paced environment. She feels it was a great experience and a dose of reality for the real world. You have to push yourself in order to make your dreams come true.”

“My skills afford me the luxury of working for myself while also focusing on being a mother.” Sarah and her husband, a Construction Manager, have a two year old daughter and are expecting a second daughter in March of 2009. “I need to be creative in order to be happy and fulfilled.”

Isabell Navarro

Program: Heavy Equipment Operator

Isabell Navarro was devastated when she was told
her job at La-Z-Boy would no longer exist. Down,
but certainly not out, this young mother took the
reins of her life and fought back. While scouring
through dozens of college materials, the Heavy
Equipment Operator Program at BATC struck an
exciting cord with her. One of three daughters,
who changed her first starter at the age of four, has
never forgotten her father’s advice to her, “Honey,
it’s not a girls’ world. Be focused, stay motivated,
and keep pushing yourself.”

So keep pushing she did. Discouraged by the
difficulty of making her unemployment check
stretch to keep up with everyday expenses,
and tempted to quit school and get a job, this
independent and capable young woman stayed
true to her goal.

She gets a twinkle in her eye when she explains
her son’s enthusiasm and sense of pride in his
mom’s accomplishments. Three-year old Clayton
is often quick to say, “My mom can drive an
excavator!” What makes her most proud is his
proclamation, “I want to be just like my mom!”