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Adam Bleakney

North Iowa Area Community College recognized 51 student leaders at the 18th annual Pathways to Success luncheon.  Honorees were nominated by NIACC faculty and staff for their academic achievement, positive attitude, character, teamwork and ability to inspire others.  The event also featured 2008 Outstanding Alumnus Adam Bleakney, Class of 1997, and 2008 Distinguished Alumna Donna DePrenger, Classes of 1967 and 1969.

Bleakney shared his pathway to success with student honorees.  “Big dreams aren’t accomplished overnight, they are accomplished over years,” Bleakney said during his keynote address.  Bleakney laid out five concepts for students to consider on their pathway to success: be inspired and define the goal, identify the tools of facilitation, develop a system process of pursuit, be consistent and patient and enjoy the journey’s rewards.

After a bicycle accident left Bleakney with a spinal cord injury, he looked for a way to continue participating in competitive athletics.  Out of curiosity he tuned into the television broadcast of the wheelchair races at the 1996 Paralympic Games.  He determined that he wanted to win a Paralympic gold medal.  Bleakney attempted to reach his goal at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympics and won the silver medal in 2004.  Bleakney will chase his dream once again at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. 

Not only has Bleakney been a successful athlete, he has turned his passion into his career and serves as the head coach of the University of Illinois wheelchair track and road racing team.  Bleakney was selected as the 2007 U.S. Paralympic coach of the year.

DePrenger also provided students with advice on the pathway to success as she reminded students to never stop being inquisitive and never stop learning.

“NIACC is a great institution.  Take advantage of every moment you have here,” DePrenger said.

Students honored at the event included:
Belmond
Amanda Card

Clear Lake
Zachary Chase, Jarred Templeton

Charles City
Kailee Kuykendall

Colwell
Annette Roethler

Fairbank
Bethany Pint

Forest City
James Stumme

Garner
Dennis Ostrem, Mary Scioneaux

Grandview
Anna Schumacher

Greene
Jennifer Steere

Hawkeye
Marshall Sunnes

Kanawha
Beth Daniels

Lake Mills
Jason Florence, Emily Neuwohner, Jennifer Ramthun

Mason City
Nate Aigner, Deborah Fatland, Timothy Fredericks, Eva Gutierrez, Paul Haugen, Jeffrey Krueger, John Lee, Whitney Nuehring, Mick Parr, James "Tony" Paulsen, Stacy Ramon, Amanda Roth, Marcia Snitker, Jarrod Tell, Jacob Thompson, Ericka Tynan, Jenna Winters, Darick Wooldridge

Marble Rock
Brittany Schrage

Nora Springs
Jennifer Heaverlo, Samantha Shoger

Rembrandt
Stefanie Madsen

Rockford
Anna Seibert

Rockwell
Terry Dryer, Sherri Hiller-Beckner, Dawn Wendland

Stacyville
Sunsett Reynolds

Sumner
Steven Grabill, Molly Niedert

Thornton
Michele Homer

Wesley
Spenser Rahm

Saint Charles, Illinois
Timothy Murphy

Centerville, Utah
Bryce Howard

Roy, Utah
Shayden Bertagnolli

Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada
Matthew Borgford

NIACC’s 18th annual Pathways to Success event was sponsored by First Citizens National Bank, Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors and the NIACC Student Senate.

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