‘We can make it through anything.’
Student graduation speaker Anthony Costa and the Class of 2020 share reflections about their Penn State journeys.
SHARON, Pa. – Letting out a laugh, Anthony Costa said, “We don’t know what’s going to happen the next couple of years. The Class of 2020 is accomplishing this feat and we’re still pushing on. If we can make it through this pandemic, we can make it through anything.”
This reflection was shared through a Zoom videoconferencing meeting, a new normal as Costa wraps up the final requirements for his associate’s degree in physical therapist assistant.
Costa will deliver Penn State Shenango’s student address via video on the campus’s online graduation page after the University-wide commencement ceremony on May 9, 2 p.m. at spring2020.commencement.psu.edu.
After spring break, 97K determined Penn Staters transitioned to attending their classes online to continue following their dreams. The switch to remote learning and a virtual commencement ceremony is something that was not anticipated to become reality.
“I have a lot of admiration for everyone that is graduating,” said Costa. “They’ve put years – decades – of hard work into earning their degree. [COVID-19] is something that will go on for a while, but students and graduates should not feel defined by these circumstances.”
This is your special day to celebrate earning a degree with the people in your life that have supported you throughout your journey. Our graduating class has taken a moment to pause and reflect on their memories from Penn State Shenango.
Between faculty members, staff members, and coaches, there’s been so many people here at Shenango that have left a positive impact on my experience, and I couldn’t thank each and every one of them enough. To mention a couple, both Lisa Bertin and Amy Effinite have helped guide me in the right direction from the moment I transferred here, and every semester since. Again, I can’t thank them enough for that.
Travis Roberts, Project and Supply Chain Management
Credit: Travis Roberts
Question: Looking back, what do you wish you could tell yourself before your first day of college?
Answer: This is going to be fun.
Catherine Martell, Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Credit: Catherine Martell
Penn State has always made me feel important. I am going to miss all of the faculty and staff that have helped me graduate!
Sabrina Breese, Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Credit: Sabrina Breese
My family has been very supportive of my long nights studying, and need to leave family events early to compete a project. They are wonderful!
Beverly Schmidt-Rodriguez, Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Credit: Beverly Schmidt-Rodriguez
Dr. Dean has been an ongoing role model of mine since the beginning of this program; she has always been so willing to help me grow as a student and PTA. Dr. Jewell has been so helpful with clinical placements and making sure we are getting the best experience possible. Finally, Andy Puleo has been a great employer and friend. He’s always been very helpful with anything on campus. Working in the fitness center was a great opportunity and he provided me with a good laugh when needed the most.
Araceli McMillan, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Araceli McMillan
Joan Humphrey is a great supporter – always positive and encouraging! Maureen Dunn was also always so great and understanding.
Lisa McLean, Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Credit: Lisa McLean
The PTA program professors are hard on you, but they make sure they prepare you for anything in the field.
Anthony Milano, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Anthony Milano
Nothing can prepare you for college. You learn as you go, and it has been a wonderful, memorable experience for me. I enrolled with the intention of obtaining an associate's degree and now I'm finishing with my bachelor's.
Tara Porterfield, Human Development and Family Studies
Credit: Tara Porterfield
Earning a bachelor's degree with all of the responsibilities that I have as a mother and a nurse has been my favorite accomplishment! I have earned two diplomas, but accomplishing this degree is something I am very proud of.
Emily Artiles, Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Also pictured: Bryan Artiles, Family Nurse Practitioner, M.S.N. and Nursing '17
Credit: Emily Artiles
I am most excited to begin changing lives in the medical field through the practice of physical therapy. Upon graduating and passing my state board exam, I plan to specialize in pediatrics and continue my education to work towards a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
Daniel Linebaugh, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Daniel Linebaugh
My greatest accomplishment is the fact that I was able to be a role model to my kids. I was able to show that even as a nontraditional student who was a full-time worker, mother, and wife; I was still able to accomplish graduating college in order to reach my goal of advancing my career. I am most excited about my new promotion at work as a Strategic Buyer for Sunbelt-Solomon Solutions! No matter how tough it gets, strive to be a better you and do something that is out of your norm because you never know where it will take you.
Cristal Bollinger, Project and Supply Chain Management
Credit: Cristal Bollinger
Meeting lifelong friends and all of the laughs we had in between classes and working in the fitness center have been my favorite memories. I met my bestie for life!
Jai'Lyn Mosley, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Jai'Lyn Mosley
I would like to say that everyone I have come across on campus has been the supportive and help through my time at Penn State. It is very comforting knowing that all the staff is there to help, support, guide and just being there for the students in general even if it’s just to joke around for a few moments. Dr. Jewell has been very impactful during my time at Penn State. She has always been there to help me with any and all questions I have with my studies and has always been there just to listen and be supportive through any and all discussions. She has been there to give me guidance and advice on many occasions and for that I am truly grateful.
Jessica Rodriguez , Physical Therapist Assistant
Pictured: PTA grads on last day of class before spring break 2020
Credit: Jessica Rodriguez
Dr. McDade inspired me to do my best with learning anatomy and understanding how everything functions together. Dr. Dean really pushed me to understand not just memorize. Dr. Jewel has been the best person to go to when you are struggling. She understands what you’re going through and helps the best way she can.
Josiah Koskovics, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Josiah Koskovics
Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way to achieve my goal of becoming a PTA and I am blessed with the lifelong friends I have made. I will forever remember my time at the Shenango campus... We Are Penn State!
Ashley Haylett, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Ashley Haylett
My parents helped me accomplish earning a degree because they allowed me to move back home and focus on studying rather than working. My boyfriend has also been a huge supporter. He pushes me to study and to always try my best. Another person that has helped me accomplish my goals at Penn State was my Papa. He would always talk to me about school and how studying was going. He always knew how to make when I was overwhelmed with studying. Although he may not be here to celebrate with me in person, I know he is celebrating with me from heaven.
Breanna Hull, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Breanna Hull
Once college starts, it will be over in a blink of an eye. Next thing you know, you are getting ready to walk at graduation or in my case, getting ready to log onto your virtual graduation ceremony. Do everything you possibly can before it is over. Go to one of the football games or one of the trips, make new friends, and most importantly, step out of you comfort zone. You wouldn't believe how much college has to offer until you actually put forth the effort and get involved. You will do so many things and create memories that you will have with you for the rest of your life.
Melissa Tremmel, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Melissa Tremmel
Question: Looking back, what do you wish you could tell yourself before your first day of college?
Answer: Keep at it.
Chad Smith, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Chad Smith
Presenting at my very first research fair with my classmates during our freshman year was my favorite accomplishment. We didn’t win any prizes, but we were excited that we had been accepted to present. Without that experience, I would not have been as interested in conducting my own research and attending other research fairs.
Megan Wilt, Administration of Justice
Credit: Megan Wilt
My family and friends have been my greatest and biggest support system through this all. I truly don't know what I would do without them. They have helped me get through the highest and the lows throughout my journey at Penn State and I couldn't have done it without them. They show me unconditional love and support providing me someone to lean on a place to go when I need them the most. I'm most excited to apply what I've learned and worked so hard for while at Penn State to the physical therapy field. I'm looking forward to showing care and compassion to those out there who need PT, and being there to help them along their journey to recovery.
Alaina Colella, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Alaina Colella
I’m not just looking to help people; I’m looking to give hope to those who have lost it. One day, I want to open my own facility. I’m not looking to change the world, but I want to change society where I’m at.
Anthony Costa, Physical Therapist Assistant
Credit: Anthony Costa
Statements of positivity like these demonstrate many of the nomination letters submitted on Costa’s behalf. One letter said, “Anthony has such a great attitude and he's a natural leader. Other students look up to him and he is well respected by staff and faculty from around the campus."
"It's really exciting to have a student from the PTA program selected as the student speaker this spring,” said Jammie Clark, director of student affairs. “Our last student speaker representing the PTA program was in 2009 so it's been quite a while. We ask faculty and staff to submit nominations as part of our process in selecting the student speaker so it's a very special honor to be selected."
While all graduates are facing unique situations, PTA students like Costa expected to complete their clinical rotations over the summer after walking in the spring commencement ceremony. Now, many of these students are expecting to accomplish these requirements in the fall semester.
“Grads may have had a plan, and now it’s going to be altered,” said Costa. “I believe that everything happens for a reason. This is going to pass, everything always passes. The hard work everyone has put in will be recognized and they will be able to put all their skills into action.”
Costa began his college career at Youngstown State University and earned a degree baccalaureate degree in dietetics after graduating from Liberty High School in Youngstown, Ohio.
After spending eight months in the workforce, Costa made the decision to pursue his second degree at Penn State Shenango and intends to continue his education in a doctoral program for physical therapy to combine his passions of dietetics and therapy.
“I’m not just looking to help people; I’m looking to give hope to those who have lost it,” said Costa. Costa’s mother passed away after her battle with cancer, shortly after graduating with his first degree in 2017. “That drove me to achieve this accomplishment. I made it a goal to help others on the road to early diagnosis.”
During his time at Penn State Shenango, Costa has taken on leadership roles and has been received many accolades including: being nominated as the President of Physical Therapist Assistant Club, sitting as a student representative on the Physical Therapy Advisory Board for campus, receiving the Unsung Hero Award for the 2018-19 academic year, earning his spot on the Dean’s list in fall 2019, being an awardee of the Sharonsteel Foundation Trustee Scholarship, and has tutored for physical therapy and biology courses.
The Class of 2020 is being mailed graduation caps and tassels, and graduates are encouraged to share photos of their at-home celebrations with Penn State Shenango on social media. All spring 2020 graduates will be invited back to campus to walk in an upcoming commencement ceremony, and Costa will also address his classmates at that ceremony.
