Members from the Colorado Nursing Association recently met in La Junta to award scholarships to two area graduating nurses: Caitlin Johnson-Beauchamp, Otero Junior College, and Kourtney Stroud, Colorado State University-Pueblo.  

Johnson-Beauchamp will begin work at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center on the Medical-Surgical unit once she has passed her RN examination. She plans to begin work toward her bachelor’s degree at Grand Canyon University, with a final goal to become a nurse anesthetist.

No matter what you remember from this story, I hope you at least take away that being an OJC graduate has given me, hands down, the most useful skill set I could have in my career and life: the freedom and courage to dare to dream.  

When I was growing up, sports were a central focus of my life as well as writing. You could find my twin brother Maurice Henson (also an OJC alum) and me involved in some sport year-round. Sports, education and writing - those were my heart’s passions. 

Unlike Maurice, my hard work always surpassed my talent. He was an all-American at every sport. While I was skilled, I depended on practice and my work ethic - a lot. I never assumed I would go to college, but our parents made it a priority. 

We were both scouted for track and field, and Maurice had several Division I offers. We had never spent more than one day apart, so we were always going to go to school together. Otero ended up being the blessing that we never saw coming. When the OJC coach pulled me aside after the state championship game at the Denver Coliseum my senior year I was confused at why they wanted me. An official visit, a signing party and we were Rattlers! 

read more