Student Profiles

Fernando Ascencio

Area of Study: Masters in Business Administration (MBA) focused in Non-Profit Administration
Very first memory of LCM: I was invited by a really close friend.  When I first walked through the doors the first person to come and greet me was Breezy, the student associate at the time.  She started talking to me like I've known her for years.  PR came up and introduced himself next.  They both talked to me with real genuine interest of getting to know who I was.  It was the friendliest experience I had had since entering college.
Favorite LCM memory: My confirmation.
How has LCM impacted your faith journey: It gave it life again.  "Where once I was lost, now I am found."  Yeah, I know its cheesy, but sometimes cheesy describes it best.
What exciting things are you doing post-graduation: Aside from paying bills and taxes? Well, I currently have started working on my career as a Development Associate for the El Rio Foundation.  As for short-term items, I plan on making a trip to the Northeast within the next few months.

Monica Kesler

Major: Psychology and Religious Studies
Very first memory of LCM: I had Breonna Tavenner, Tom Carsten, and Craig Talmage over for dinner in my dorm room a few days before the beginning of the year when I first transferred to the UofA. That night I was told I HAD to go to LCM, if not those three (especially Breonna and Craig) would basically drag me there. Since I had already been active the year before, I was planning on it, but it was interesting to see how passionate these three were about LCM. They didn't have to drag me there and I have been coming faithfully ever since.
Favorite LCM memory: I couldn't say that I have had a favorite memory in particular, but it is the unstructured times that have meant the most to me. Whether it was talking to an upperclassman about keeping faith in college, or car rides to retreats, these are the times that have been my favorite with LCM.
How has LCM impacted your faith journey? LCM has been able to provide that home away from home for my faith life. I have been able to explore what I believe since I have been in college. That I believe has made me more mature in my faith. I have been able to question things and really dig deep into my faith life.
What exciting things are you doing post graduation? After a few of us get back from Holden Village, I will be starting graduate school at Arizona State's Tucson campus to get my Master of Social Work degree. I will also be working at Child and Family Resources.

Kara Monsen

Major: Civil Engineering
Very first memory of LCM: Meeting Pr. Ron at an orientation club fair and hearing about the La Jolla trip.
Favorite LCM memory: The middle of the night walk to the beach after getting to La Jolla every year.
How has LCM impacted your faith journey? In every way! LCM became the back bone of my faith coming out of high school and has prepared me to jump into the "real world" to learn more about my faith on my own.
What exciting things are you doing post graduation? Going home to Washington for two weeks, going on a road trip tour of the Midwest for two weeks, and starting to work for an engineering firm in Tucson!

Rachel Gotschall

Major: Family Studies and Human Development
Very First Memory of LCM: Honestly, it was watching Attack of The Killer Tomatoes II at Ken, Peter, and Tom's house (Pe-tom-ken Wood's as their house was affectionately called). Very bad movie ~ but I remember thinking to myself how amazing it was that I found these people that were as quirky as I was.
Favorite LCM memory: Oh Lord there are sooo many....not to get emotional on you guys, but I'm going to have to go with the first prison visit with Bubba and Erna. That was one of the most amazing experiences I have had so far in my life! Just hearing the men's voices as we sung together during the service was very raw and humbling.
How has LCM impacted your faith journey? One thing that was very obvious from the start about our group here in Tucson was the fact that it has always been composed of people with extremely diverse views concerning life, God, and faith. Compounded to this characteristic is the fact that we are not afraid to speak our minds! But at the same time, we are a group that listens and learns from each other. While discussions concerning faith and God always have the capacity to get a little heated, it was this characteristic of LCM that caused me to think, search, ask, and truly be an active participant in my faith. For that, I own so much to LCM.
What exciting things are you doing post graduation? I'm applying to the Peace Corps and hopefully will be on a plane to Africa this upcoming November! So far I have been nominated to a teaching program in Africa and I am in the process of getting all the medical clearance done. I will definitely be in touch with Pastor Ron and everyone in LCM concerning all the exciting details to come!

Heidi Sears

Major: Marketing
Very first memory of LCM: My first memory of LCM was going to La Jolla in 2004.  I was a freshmen and I remember going with a whole bunch of people that I didn’t know and coming back with a lot of new friends.  It was amazing the amount of bonding that took place over a three day weekend.
Favorite Memory of LCM:  My favorite memory of LCM is when I went to Guatemala.  I had an amazing time experiencing a new culture and really enjoyed getting know everyone that went.  We had an amazing experience as a group and I loved every minute of the trip.
How has LCM impacted your faith? I think that it has impacted my faith because it has shown me that when you belong to a community who has the same beliefs as you, it is an amazing feeling that I can’t explain.  I really feel that because of LCM, I have made some amazing friends.  LCM is a place where I can go and not worry about anything but my religion.  It has helped me through a lot of tough times in my college career.
What exciting things are you doing post graduation?  After graduation, I plan on moving to Phoenix and finding a job.  I plan on working and paying off my student loans.

Sonia Schrachta

Major: Nursing
Very first memory of LCM: My freshman year coming to vespers.
Favorite LCM memory: Both my out of country trips to Guatemala and Costa Rica, as well as to Mexico.  The privilege to meet with people from other cultures and languages was amazing, and also led to greater bonding between LCM members.
How has LCM impacted your faith journey? Coming to college, there’s no one standing behind you telling you that you HAVE to come to church.  LCM provided a place to WANT to come, meet with others my own age, and discuss faith and different faith practices.  It broadened my horizons of what church is supposed to be and has always been here for me through good and bad times in college.
What exciting things are you doing post graduation?  Going to Holden, and starting my brand new career as a nurse at the VA hospital here in Tucson, as well as getting married to the most wonderful man, Todd Helmick.