The Weird and The Wacky Meet

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Hard Working Senator Brings Diversity to HCC

                 An exuberant and outgoing person is exactly how friends would describe Shanar Fraser.   At Housatonic Community College, Fraser is a good student and active in student life, serving as a Student Senator, and being a member of several clubs.

Fraser has overcome roadblocks and went on to excel.  He’s not afraid to be outspoken in his Student Senate meetings.  “I bring diversity and enthusiasm and I am always willing to volunteer, while still not being afraid to speak my mind.”

He always comes to all of his classes prepared and ready to voice his opinion and ask whatever questions are necessary for understanding.  He’s not afraid to ask the questions that the rest of the class may be thinking.

                 Education has always been important to twenty one year old Fraser.  “I’m most proud of graduating from high school, followed by my role as a student senator at HCC.”

                 At the age of sixteen his parents moved from Bridgeport to Shelton, just so he could attend a better school.  Fraser hopes to use this love of education to become a teacher, and eventually a principal at the elementary school level.

                 Despite supportive parents, Fraser has had obstacles to overcome.  All his life he’s had to deal with epilepsy.  Although he hasn’t had a seizure in almost ten years, he still takes Depokote every day to prevent one from occurring.  Also, he’s dealt with speech problems, having seen a speech therapist for years as a child.

                 Shanar came to HCC because, “it’s cheap and convenient, and the education is fabulous!”

                 Still, when he joined the Senate, he wanted to see if he could make the school better.  He believes that this can be achieved by “hands on leadership and reaching out to the help community.”

                 Fraser would like to see more programs concerning teaching come to HCC.  He’d like to see a bigger library, and a bigger bookstore with more up to date books to help the students achieve their educational goals.

                 He also has ideas for the Student Senate saying, “We need more senators.  I’d like to see more recruitment going on, along with having every club participate and be active in what goes on around this school.”

                 “Each Senator should be a leader of a member of a club.  I’m a member of the multicultural club, and I am trying to get the Black Student Union back up and running.  Right now no one is even in the BSU.”

                 Fraser has a four part plan to increase membership in the BSU, starting with a membership drive.  He then wants to recruit in club meetings, get members from student forums, and make sure the BSU is represented at club day.

                 After getting more members, Fraser hopes the BSU will be able to sponsor African American speakers to come to HCC for Black History Month.   He believes that once the BSU is out more in the community they’ll be able to help more and do great things.

                 Fraser said, “I’ve learned that you have to study hard, good grades do not come out of nothing.  Outside of that, I’ve learned that leadership is probably the most important skill a person can have.  And the only way to get that is to become involved in your school and community if you want to make a difference.”

Copyright 2004

HCC Senator as Mascot at Club Day.  Is it Shanar?  We’ll never know.

By Amanda Evans

Date: 11/18/04