Santa Ana, CA (January 7, 2009) - Graduate Jared Beene was recently chosen by WyoTech's Laramie, Wyoming, campus to receive their annual Dream Award. The Dream Award is presented by each WyoTech campus to an outstanding graduate who has overcome personal obstacles to change his or her life for the better through education.
Beene, of Edmund, Oklahoma, was in the midst of his training at WyoTech's Laramie campus when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite the pain from the growing tumor and the treatment decisions he needed to make, he was determined to complete his training without interruption. Not only did he continue to perform the demanding and rigorous tasks required in his Chassis Fabrication course throughout his diagnosis and eventual surgery-he also made the difficult decision to hold off on chemotherapy until after his graduation from WyoTech.
Beene's positive attitude and determination was inspirational to his classmates, who raised a record $11,398.92 in a fundraiser to assist Beene financially through his ordeal. Beene graduated from WyoTech on schedule with a degree in Collision/Refinishing Technology and Management. He immediately began chemotherapy upon his return to Oklahoma and today has a clean bill of health. Beene is currently a body technician with OKC Autoworks in Oklahoma City.