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10 THE M'DANIEl fREE PRESS MAY 12 2008 Features Unsung Heroes: The friendly smile at the SASS office By Rac:hel Hooper, with the graduate assisranrs who haw," Co-Editor help SASS students. According to Dorsey, "People rhar run the offices For some students with a learn- on campus generally do not get the ing difference every school day is recognition they deserve." a challenge, but walking into the "People would love to work Student Academic Support Servic- for our office because we're like a es (SASS) office, they will be met family, and she is an important pare by (he smiling face of a receptionist of that family ... and I really need whose warm welcome can change to let her know how special she is the course of their day. and how much we love having her This friendly smile behind the here," said Dorsey, laughing. reception desk belongs to Christine Kevin Selby, the director of needy when I come in [to SASS] 1950; Stevie Wonder is Derencz, the office manager for [he SASS, works with Derencz on a but she never thinks it's a problem 1964: Stephen Colbert SASS office. Derencz is commined daily basis and is aware of the many and she's always enthusiastic to to working with all students who tasks she performs for students. In help," said Reardon. pass through the door. a typical day, she may help stu- Asked if she thought she May 14 "If there's no one here and if dents get their notes, order books could handle balancing her aca- I can help OUt, you know I'm cer- on tape, schedule appointments demic workload and school life 1607; Jamestown, Virginia is tainly going to," said Derencz. and ask volunteers to read books plus handling all the tasks Derencz 1998: Frank Sinatra dies Before Derenca came to Mc- for the students. Derencz is par- performs for her, Reardon replied, Daniel in March 2007, she worked ticularly appreciated at registration "No. I definitely would not order as a residential counselor for a time when students come in very books on tape in a timely Fashion May 15 non-profit organizarlon serving concerned. or make sure I have letters ready individuals with various disabili- "She has just done an incred- for my professors Ior-accommoda, 1905: Las V~gas, Nevada is founded ties. She grew up near Baltimore, ible job of easing their tensions, tions .. .I mean she's JUSt really on attending Fallston High School organizing them," said Selby. top of everything and keeps us on before graduating from Salisbury "The fact mat she does go top of what we need to do." May 16 University on the Eastern Shore above and beyond what her job It is not only the many tasks of Maryland. She now resides in actually calls for, and helping Derencz does for me students that 1929: The first Academy Awards are Montgomery County, Derencz has students is just chat natural char- make the office manager a special given our a boyfriend and is busy working for ismatic personality [hac she has," person. WIt's more than she is will- 1966: Janet Jackson is born SASS, while at the same rime tak- said Selby. "I think that she is very ing to help; she's willing and she's ing graduate courses in counseling unsung in mat way ... that makes happy, and she's friendly," said at McDaniel. her char hero and the glue of [his Reardon. f May 17 Despite her demanding work- office." Derenca was drawn (0 rhls load, she still has time for her hob- Another co-worker, Carole campus job because after many 2004: Massachuserrs becomes the bies such ~ tennis and golf. "I like WaddeU, a learning specialist at years of working with kids with first state to legalize same-sex marriage to do a lot of home improvement SASS, said Derencz uses "laughter, disabilities she has decided to be- stuff; I love to travel, cooking and lots of laughter; she's organized." come a counselor. She feels that her, bike riding," said Derencz. Waddell added she values Derencz work at SASS is rewarding overall. Susan Dorsey, associate direc- because of her positive attitude. "[Students] come in here and tor of SASS, hired Derencs for her Sophomore Julia Coleman they have a test they need to study ATTENTION READERS personality "'I was looking for a comes into the SASS office every for and they need a little extra study specific type of person, where stu- other day to get notes. She appreci- skills ... a week later or so they say, dents would come in and wouldn't ates Derencz's work and credits her by the way I gOt a B+ or A- on that The McDaniel Free Press is looking for students with be afraid to ask questions ... she for some of her success. "I think test," said Derencz. "I'm really ex- expereince in videography or video editing to work on would be caring and someone dose mat without [Derenca] there, stu- cited ... because then you know the the staff. We hope to implement news videos onto our to their age," said Dorsey. "Sru- dents wouldn't be able to handle whole office is really doing its job." website, and are looking for confident, serious and dents who take things [00 seriously both the academic pressures and all When raid that she does a lot dedicated students who are interested i-;:'journalism. take note of Christine's humor and rhe self-advocacy parr," said Cole- for the SASS office, but may not Contact lisa Breslin (Ibreslin@mcdaniel.edu), Mike sometimes rhls helps when they man. Derencz is organized wirh always get a lot of recognition and Habegger (mwh003@mcdaniel.edu), or Melanie normally wouldn't have smiled," everyone's schedules and accom- could be considered an unsung Chupein (msc006@mcdaniel.edu) if you are interested explained Dorsey, "She's office Stu- modations. "I think she's definitely hero, Derenca laughed shyly and dent friendly." an unsung hero," said Coleman. said, "Not really ... I'm JUSt doing in this opportunity. Videos for the McDaniel Free Press JG will be a great addition to any portfolio. Dorsey is pleased thar Der- Junior Teresa Reardon also what [he job states." encz has fit in well with the of- commended the welcoming skills fice personnel, including working of Derencz. "Sornedrnes 1 feel Intramural Softball l'HOTOlf!NH~>UJY