The A.N.T.S. go marching in

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) - Comparing nontraditional college students to insects may seem strange.

It’s actually an appropriate metaphor, though.

When a club for nontraditional students was launched at Western Wyoming Community College in September 2012, it was dubbed A.N.T.S. or Association for Non-Traditional Students.

The tiny insect became prominent on club T-shirts and one version includes the motto “For every one you see there’s ten you don’t.”

Nontraditional students, like ants, are more numerous than they may initially appear. The motto is designed to encourage those returning to college and let them know they are not alone, reported the Rocket-Miner (https://bit.ly/2hkONf3).

There are many at WWCC, according to its website. The average age of students at the college is 27, many years removed from high school graduation age.

Current members of the A.N.T.S. club demonstrate other similarities to the creature praised for its attributes by the book of Proverbs in the Bible. The club provides an avenue of support in those comparisons.

Ants are incredibly strong, bearing burdens more than 20 times their own body weight. College is a huge load for nontraditional students. Initial fears and then adjusting to increased time and energy demands on already busy schedules is difficult. The A.N.T.S club has students who have carried those obligations successfully.

CONFRONTING CHALLENGES

It takes courage to go to college after a delay in education, whether it has been five or 30 years.

Students referred to the apprehension involved, both academically and socially.

“I was absolutely terrified,” Jennifer Melear said about her first day at the college.

It had been more than 30 years since she had graduated from high school.

“Everything in me said, ’Go home!’”

She did not let that fear stop her. Professors and fellow students helped and encouraged.

“I’ve come a long way and done quite well,” she said.

Melear is an honor roll student on track to graduate in May. She is a psychology major with a minor in phlebotomy.

Academics were a struggle at first for Pete Candelaria.

“It had been more than 10 years, and you forget things,” he said.

He started again with basic math and English classes to work his way up to college-level course work. After failing a math class he was tempted to give up, but he didn’t.

He took the class again and passed. He is now one semester away from earning an online bachelor’s degree in accounting from Regis University and then plans to pursue his master’s degree.

BEARING LOADS

Paige Vincent said she faced the prospect of college 12 years after high school with a mixture of fear and excitement.

She was afraid of failing, but she said, “I got killer grades and it drove me to continue.”

As a mother of two, time management is a challenge for Vincent. She is a full-time student with 16 credits and works 10 hours each week in the peer tutor center.

Still, she said she is able to get good grades and help her kids get good grades, too.

Other A.N.T.S club members expressed similar trials.

Lupe Mendoza said arranging schedules if often difficult. She works as a substitute teacher, attends classes, does homework and takes care of her two daughters, age 6 and 16. Her husband is working in Texas, so they don’t get to see each other very often.

And yet, she still makes time to cook hundreds of tamales for club fundraisers to help others in the community.

Current A.N.T.S president Desire Solano’s load this semester is reminiscent of an ant carrying something twice its size. Responsibilities include her son, husband, classes, studies, house and club work that encompasses members, agendas and fundraisers.

She had 16 credits, but said it felt like 20 because of two very challenging classes: biology and pre-calculus. She passed both.

HELP WITHOUT

In spite of crazy schedules and many commitments, A.N.T.S members are like their small namesake in another way: they make a priority of helping the entire community.

The A.N.T.S mission is “to have our nontraditional voices heard around the college and to make a difference.”

During the fall semester they have made a difference for several community groups. Members served the free dinner for the Actors’ Mission production of “Invasion of Earth/War of the Worlds” in October and helped the Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency during the Halloween Stroll. In December, members gave Christmas gifts to a Sage View resident as well as kids at the WWCC Children’s Center.

Money raised at bake sales is used to fund the ventures for others. Plans for the spring semester include raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club. In recognition of their efforts, the club was honored as 2015-16 Club of the Year at the college.

A.N.T.S. members also provide support to one another in assorted ways.

There are 72 nontraditional students signed up for the club through email, and an average of about 15 students show up for weekly meetings, according to Secretary Pete Candelaria. They range in age from the mid-20s to mid-50s. It is a diverse yet close-knit group.

SUPPORT WITHIN

Several members said they didn’t feel like they had time to add another thing to their schedules when they were encouraged to join the club, but are so thankful they decided to.

“I love being an A.N.T.,” Solano said.

“You meet a lot of different people and make friends.”

Vincent also referred to the friendships she has built through the club.

“It’s nice to have that extra support,” she said.

Club members help one another with everything from child care to academics. Many club members plan to continue their education after WWCC graduation and pursue bachelor and master’s degrees or specialized certifications.

Melear said the club has helped her become less reclusive.

“I felt comfortable right away. They threw me a T-shirt and said, ’You’re part of our family now.’”

Her own family is proud of her efforts as a nontraditional student as well. Melear’s 6-year-old granddaughter recently asked how old she was.

“When I turn 51, I’m going to go to college, too,” she said when she found out.

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Information from: Rock Springs (Wyo.) Rocket-Miner, https://www.rocketminer.com