College? Check! Dream job after graduation? Check! Place to live independently. Check! Colleen Maher, 21, has been a good friend to Sam for the last two years! Like Sam, Colleen graduates this May from Judson University’s 2-year RISE Program, and she’s full of excitement for all that’s to come!
How have you liked Judson? “I love being here. It’s so nice to finally be away from home. I just love the freedom here and that I can make my own decisions. I want to be independent. I’m only an hour away from home, and I love being able to socialize and make new friends like Sam here. I also love going to classes.”
How did you hear about Judson? “I first heard about Judson when I was still finishing high school. During my high school years, I did five college visits to different places. I had a tour here and saw what it was like. Then I had an interview and that went well. Next, I got a letter that said, ‘You got into Judson University.’ I was super excited when I got in.”
What are your favorite classes? “Household life skills, transition to independence, weight training . . . pretty much all my classes.”
Where do you want to work after you graduate? “When I went home for Spring Break on Friday, I had an interview with Doc Lock, the principal. She’s really nice. She offered me a job on the spot as a floating para-professional at Summerdale. It’s a Preschool. So, I got the job, and I’ll be starting on the Thursday after graduation. I’ll be working all day, Monday through Friday from 8:15 to 3:45. Even before I graduated, I still got the job! “I’ll be pretty much with the kids all day, helping them with mealtimes and with naps, toileting, and other additional stuff.”
Do you like working with children? “Oh! I love it.”
What are some of your other dreams for the future? “Housing wise? I want to have my dream mansion. We bought a condo, and I’m going to rent it. There was a person living there, but then we closed on the condo, and we are doing lots of renovations, and that’s where I’ll live in the fall.
“And for my transportation, I’ve been using para transit for my internship now. I used para transit to get back from my job in Rockford. Once the condo is done I might use Uber. I’m also trying to get an app for paratransit.
“I’m going to party every day.
“Back to cooking—we’ll do more once I’m home again. We’ll be doing some meal plans this summer. My mom does a Walmart pick up every Wednesday. I learned to place the order from Walmart to order the groceries. I’ll be doing some more meals with my mom when I’m home.”
What are your interests? “I love to clean, color, bake, cook, swim, and do Karaoke. I also love being on time to my classes, hanging out with people, I love being on my phone, I love to watch TV. I just want to be normal sometimes, and I love to relax and be alone sometimes.”
What’s your favorite movie? “Anything Disney. Cinderella—the animated version is my favorite.”
What internships have you had at Judson? “For my internships, I’ve had several experiences. I volunteered at the Discovery Center and interned at Fairview Early Childhood Center, and at a Headstart program. I’ve had lots of volunteer experiences. Last year I was at Fresh Ideas, kind of like the cafeteria here. I was interning and cleaning. I have also worked at Beef-a-Roo since I was 16-year-old, and I’m still working there when I go home. So that’s kind of great.
Now I am at Westminster Christian School at an after-school program. I get there at 3, and the kids go outside. I play with them, we get snack ready for them, or they can stay inside and that’s pretty much it.”
What’s been the hardest thing about college? “The hardest thing probably would be the internship. I really wanted to be in a preschool and I’m not. But I got my job anyway, so that’s good!
“Also, I don’t like the super cold weather. When I was in the Little Mermaid, I didn’t want to miss my cue and I fell down two stairs and hurt my ankle. Now it’s been healed, but with the snow and ice that same ankle can be a problem.”
Tell us about your faith. “I go to Holy Family Church in Rockford, Illinois. I do love that church. I was born a Catholic and I love being a Catholic.
“I do love chapel here. I really love the worship. And praying. I pray before bed and that makes me feel close to God. I’ve started going to Church of the Rock with my friend, which is only 20 minutes away. I’m slowly learning about God more and getting to know him more.”
Tell me about your family. “My mom is Pam. She works at a marketing company. My dad is Brendan, he’s a judge. I have a sister Caitlin, she’s 19 years old and in college in TN. Her major is in some type of business. My brother Ryan is 15, and he’s a sophomore in high school.”
Where would you like to travel? “I’ve been to Mexico, Punta Cana, Disney, Disneyland—I love all of those. I really like the all-inclusive in Mexico! I’m really spoiled.”
We’ve heard you are a Rockford star! What musicals have you been in? “I’ve been in multiple shows in Rockford: Beauty and the Beast, Schreck, Joseph, Little Mermaid, Oliver, and now Newsies. I’ve also done Annie and Sound of Music with CYT. Here I was in a play, directed by Melissa Hugh my RD, Alice in Wonderland.”
Colleen will be on the stage at the Starlight Theater in Rockford this summer. “I’m excited and I love theater. In Newsies, I’m in the ensemble and I’m a nun.”
Sam can’t wait to go see the show this summer . . . and to keep up with all of Colleen’s future doings!