By McAYE FEGLER, CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS
CHADRON – Angelyse Perez of Newcastle, Wyoming, is Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for November.
Perez, a junior, is majoring in art studio.
“I really enjoy art. It is something that brings me a lot of joy and I’ve done it for such a long time. It gives me a way to communicate who I am,” Perez said
Perez, who has been involved in Project Strive for about two years, is the treasurer and social media coordinator for the United Club, participates in the Art Guild, and occasionally works with the Campus Activity Board, Sigma Tau Delta, and Tenth Street Miscellany by making posters and social media flyers. Perez has helped with two activities sponsored by the United Club, The Clothesline Project and the Trans Visibility event.
“Angel has been a great member of the Project Strive family. She is quick to help others in the program and give them guidance and support. These are just a couple of the many values that make Angel a great student and person. Her passion for art and photography will take her far in life,” said Project Strive Director Jennifer Schaer.
Perez learned about CSC through a friend and decided to tour campus, even though her original plans were to attend college in Oregon.
“I like the atmosphere, it’s small and quaint. I enjoyed the professors when they showed me around the art department. I also come from a small town. I was afraid that if I went to a big school, I might experience some major whiplash,” Perez said.
Perez has always had an interest in art. She practices both digital and traditional art and enjoys surrounding herself with other artists, students, and professors, as they have impacted the way she views art.
While at Chadron State, Perez has enjoyed taking classes from faculty members Mary Donahue, Laura Bentz, and Trudy Denham, and writing classes taught by Markus Jones.
“Angel Perez is a bright and creative student whose intellect and imagination shine in everything she does. She has an extraordinary ability to notice the nuances of the world around her, transforming these observations into powerful stories and insightful class discussions,” Jones said.
Jones said Perez is a deeply curious and studious individual.
“Angel seamlessly blends creativity with analytical thinking, producing remarkable class responses and impressive projects that reflect her originality and dedication. Her unique writing voice and sharp intellect make her work a joy to read,” Jones said.
Some of Perez’s favorite classes have been Painting I (ART 232) and II (ART 332) with Bentz and Ceramics II (ART 428) with Denham.
“I had only worked with oil painting for a brief moment in high school, so I was excited to be able to explore that a little more in Painting I. It’s a beginner class so she lets us start where we are at and then builds on it. Painting II allowed for more experimentation. In this class, painting was not only used as a way of communicating, but we also mixed media into it. Ceramics can be irritating sometimes, but it can also be relaxing and calming. Plus, I enjoy Trudy as a teacher,” Perez said.
Bentz said Perez, as a first-generation student, has fearlessly faced the challenges of college.
“She is curious about the world and has taken a broad range of classes outside her Art major. All of those classes feed her creativity and inform the images she creates,” Bentz said.
When not working on assignments, Perez enjoys hanging out with friends, doing personal art projects, playing video games, writing stories and poetry, and practicing photography.
Perez plans to graduate in December 2025, but is unsure what her future holds.
“I hope to work in an art museum or art-related field. Maybe a studio,” Perez said.
Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/.