Otero College

Brooke Harris is from Strasburg, Colorado. She is the third born in a family of four kids. Brooke is creative and loves meeting new people and gaining new experiences. She enjoys painting, reading, the outdoors, and cats. 

While she was in high school trying to figure out where life would take her next, mention of going to a community college came up. She thought it was so silly to go from a small-town high school to a small-town for college. Later, the opportunity arose to play volleyball at a community college, and she took up the offer. Choosing to attend Otero College was one of the best decisions she had ever made. She grew so much as an individual, got to meet people from all around the world, learned so many new things, and got to play the sport she was passionate about. 

Brooke graduated from Strasburg High School in 2022. She is a sophomore and is the volleyball team captain at Otero College. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and has continued her streak into her first two years of college, landing her on the President’s List. Brooke is working towards earning an Associate of Arts degree and will be graduating in May 2024. She isn’t fully sure what is in store for her future, but she is interested in psychology and is leaning toward studying human behavior and the mind. 

Rhoman Eyere (ee-air-uh) is a sophomore at Otero College from Spanish Fork, Utah. He currently holds a 3.9 GPA while balancing playing for the school’s basketball team and working two jobs. He works as a math tutor for the school, helping several students with various classes and assignments, while also posting payments for a medical supply company. Rhoman plans to graduate from Otero in May of this year with his Associate of Arts degree. After, he plans to further his education at a University in hopes of getting his Bachelor’s degree and possibly his MBA. Rhoman has always had a passion for the game of basketball and wants to stay involved with the game. He hopes to work for a basketball organization in their business department. 

Rhoman is determined to stay involved with the sport he loves, that’s what drives him to work so hard in school. This determination is what won him the Freshman of the Year award at Otero College in 2023. Outside of school, Rhoman enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, traveling, and working out. He is also the co-host of a podcast called the “Swishlist Podcast” discussing the game of basketball, primarily the NBA. Rhoman is a dedicated, passionate, and hardworking leader in his community and has very high hopes for his future. 

Kristen Sharp, a native of Fowler, CO, is currently pursuing her passion for cosmetology at Otero College. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Program and is very involved in campus life. Beyond her studies, Kristen also serves as the volleyball manager for the Lady Rattlers, showcasing her dedication to both academics and extracurricular activities. 

Kristen comes from a family of five, including her twin sister who also attends Otero. She has a passion for creativity and art. In her limited free time, Kristen enjoys painting and drawing.  

While Kristen will walk at graduation, she will finalize the program over the summer. This will prepare her for the licensure exam to officially become a cosmetologist. She plans to rent a booth at a local salon, with a primary focus on nails, where she can unleash her talent and creativity in a professional setting. 

Kristen is grateful for being selected for this award, as the cosmetology program is brief, spanning only a year, and it marks her sole year in college.