29
December
2014
|
08:54 AM
America/Chicago

Student Speaker Aims To Help Hometown

Student Speaker Aims To Help Hometown

 By Dan Silvia, Communications Manager

Life is not a competition, but a journey to be enjoyed.  That is the message that Kindra Weston will deliver to her fellow classmates as the student speaker at Winter Commencement, Saturday, January 31, at the Mid-America Center.

“We are at a transition point in our lives, and we must allow ourselves to recognize the hard work, dedication and help that it took to get here,” said Weston, who earned her Master of Science in Clinical Counseling this past fall. “It is important to acknowledge all of the small victories that create the end result of success.”

Completing the 60-credit hour MSCC program was not an easy task.

Kindracrop“This has been a long road that truly included blood, sweat and tears,” Weston said. “I feel such a sense of self-accomplishment, confidence and pride.  I plan to utilize my degree to bring mental health services to my rural area that were not previously offered.  That is such a rewarding feeling that words do not do it justice.”

Weston, who resides in Riverton, Iowa, is currently employed at the Shenandoah Medical Center, where she completed the internship required as part of the Clinical Counseling program.

“After I completed my internship they made me a job offer,” Weston explained. “I work with children and families. I have had the guidance of a fantastic supervisor, Jan Wilson.  She has many years of experience that have enabled her to impart wisdom and expertise.”

Weston hopes to one day open her own private practice and to publish a line of play therapy and counseling books and workbooks.

Her experience at Bellevue University helped start her down that path. Weston praised the efforts of Professor Gail Ortegren, in particular. “She bent over backwards to provide guidance, wisdom and reassurance,” Weston said. “She is always positive and professional and, most importantly, approachable.  It is because of professors like this that Bellevue University will continue to flourish.  They are such a great asset to the school and our community.”

When she isn’t helping others, Weston enjoys looking for and discovering antiques.

“My husband and I spend an enormous amount of time on the road and hunting for our next treasure,” she said. “We have been able to build a fantastic network of contacts all across the country, which has been a great benefit to our business, Weston Primitive Co.  I also enjoy reading, shopping and singing.”