February 6, 2015 Page 5

Donned in a maroon and gold jacket, with a Park University pennant tacked to the wall in her office, it would appear that Lindsey Stubbs has always been a Park Pirate.

Growing up in Camden Point, Mo., Stubbs attended North Platte High School and graduated from Missouri Western State University before accepting her new role as admissions counselor at Park University last fall.

Initially a nursing major, she transitioned to majoring in criminal justice with a minor in biology.

As a student, Stubbs was involved in several campus clubs and organizations but it was her time as a student worker for the university that truly shaped her career path.

“It was a really great opportunity for me,” Stubbs said. “As a student worker at Missouri Western, they get you involved in what a regular counselor would do. I got to take phone calls, do mailings and do college fairs by myself in other states, so it was a really awesome opportunity.”

Stubbs said her decision to become an admissions counselor at Park or remain at Missouri Western to pursue a degree in forensic investigation was tough.

When it came time for graduation, I knew I had my passion for criminal justice,” she said, “but working at the admissions office at Missouri Western, I knew I really enjoyed that and I loved the idea of helping students get closer to higher education.”

Ultimately, Stubbs chose Park University, and said her experience with both students and faculty so far has been fantastic.

“At first, I had no idea what to expect,” she said. “I attended a public school and I knew I was going to be transitioning to a private school setting so I wasn’t sure what I was going to encounter.

The sound of gun powder igniting echoes in the air. Officer Megan Gates, badge number 5534, thinks to herself, “Oh no, it can’t be.”

Making her way around the caddy-cornered houses, she witnesses shots being fired into a van. The shooter’s girlfriend screams, giving a warning of the officers’ presence.

The gunman faces the officers, his eyes fixed on Gates and her partner Kevin Colhour.

Immediately, the officers demand the shooter to drop the gun but instead he turns to run.

For the safety of nearby residents, Gates said, the officers let loose bullet rounds. Casings fall and the suspect drops to the ground.

“It was hard to shoot him with his family members right there,” said Gates.

“I felt bad to take the [shot] but he made decisions leading up to that and I was glad no one was seriously hurt…he could have killed someone.”

Gates, who is a 2007 Park University graduate in criminal justice, received an email after the incident from her Sergeant nominating her for an award to commend her service.

The award committee had other plans by promoting her nomination to the Medal of Valor, which is the Kansas City Police Department’s highest award only given to officers “for performing an exceptionally valorous act far above that which is normally expected while aware of the imminent threat of personal danger.”

The ceremonial was held on

Dec. 16, 2014. Gates was honored along with partner.

“I had never been to an [awards ceremony] so it was nice to hear people being awarded,” said Gates. “It’s just unfortunate someone had to get hurt in order for me to receive the award.”

Gates has always been interested in police work.

“Nothing outside has interested [me] because there are so many things to do in the police field,” she said. “There is job security because there are always people making bad decisions and they need to be put in jail.”

Worst moments in careers tend to stick out and perhaps the life of a cop is never easy, with each decision possibly altering the life of another.

Recalling a particularly dark memory, Gates said she is aware that sometimes she can’t do

everything.“Sometimes there is nothing

you can do,” said Gates. “We responded to a domestic abuse call where the boyfriend threatened the girlfriend with a knife. We gave the woman precautions she should take but she didn’t take them. After I got off work, [the boyfriend] murdered the girlfriend and her mother, leaving their children with no parents.”

Currently 31 years of age, Gates remains on the reserve forces, working on the general squad and dog watch by night.

By day, she is a mother to daughter Scarlett and son Garen. Even with motherhood going well for her, she does have desires to get back on the force in two years.

A compromise she has had to make with husband Captain Daniel Gates after he thought “she was kind of a magnet for danger.”

Desiring her safety, he said he thinks she should wait at least three years and move on from patrols towards work in the field of investigation or mounted patrols.

Despite it all, Gates said if she had to do it all over again she would.

Amanda Krysa actively moved about the kitchen cooking ratatouille for her two sons, Parker and Preston.

Her husband, Shawn Krysa, graduated from Park University in July 2014 with a communications degree in organizational leadership after years of intermittent study at Park since 1996.

His time at Park came during the most difficult years of his family’s life.

The Krysa family welcomed their son, Preston, in early 2009. Seven and a half months later, the joys of celebrating his new life came crashing to the ground in September 2010.

Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I remember I went into my boss’s office and bawled my eyes out for an hour,” said Shawn, after receiving the news. “I had no idea how we were going to do this. It was the worst day of my life.”

Amanda immediately began her treatment and for the past five years, the couple has been struggling in a battle against cancer.

Shawn supported Amanda and their sons by working full-time. Amanda maintained the home and children behind-the-scenes while pushing Shawn to finish his degree during the hardest years of her breast cancer.

They have taken countless flights back and forth from MD Anderson’s Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, trying to find an answer and learning cancer treatment has adverse side effects.

“Cancer affects everything,” said Shawn, “It came out of nowhere and forced us to change diets, no GMOs, no processed foods and only farmers market vegetables. No joke, we learned as much as we could about everything because the treatment is worse than the cancer.”

After numerous trips, hope had dwindled when a test revealed the cancer had progressed to stage four, the final stage in breast cancer, where it metastasized and spots began to show on Amanda’s bones.

“The silver lining is that we began to see a holistic doctor,” said Shawn.

“I had two aunts who passed away from cancer. They did everything the doctor said but they

passed away still, [Amanda] needed the supplements because [cancer] destroys everything.”

Three months later, the spots were gone and Amanda and Shawn found themselves traveling less frequently to Houston for checkups.

They believe Amanda is nearly cancer free.

Today, the Krysa family is stable and Shawn works as a truck load coverage specialist for Freight Quote, a company who has always stood by him and his family as they have progressed through these difficult years.

Through such a” turbulent time with ups and downs around each corner,” Amanda admits.

“My hero is, without a shadow of a doubt, my husband Shawn,” said Amanda. “My husband has been through it all.”

“I didn’t want to [walk for graduation],” said Shawn, “but I felt bad because [Amanda] had been watching the kids and Parker wanted to see me walk, so I put on my robe, my hat and it felt good. The fact that Amanda kept pushing me makes her the hero.”

Counselor promotes Park to future students

But, I was happily surprised with how open everyone is here, whenever I walk over to, say, the underground or to the cafeteria everyone is saying hello and it’s really nice. I enjoy that a lot.

“My favorite park of my job so far has definitely been my coworkers. They have been fantastic. Any time that I have questions, they are more than happy to help and have welcomed me with open arms. So, I have really appreciated my coworkers.”

As an admissions counselor, Stubbs said her sole purpose is to tell prospective students about all Park University has to offer.

During the day, Stubbs takes visits from students, answers phone calls, returns emails and compiles student files.

Her job also allows her to travel, taking her work on the road.

“When we travel, we are going to our respective recruiting areas,” she said. “Mine is St. Louis and southern Missouri. When we are there, we go to college fairs and high school visits. We set up our fun little table and tell all the students about Park as well as try

and keep up with our work while we are on the road.”

Stubbs said despite competitive schools in the area, Park University has much to offer students.

“A lot of students are really excited about the fact that we are a private school but we are still affordable,” she said. “A lot of times when I initially tell a student

we are a private university they are hesitant but it is a huge asset to have that private school education but to also be affordable.

Stubbs said another asset of Park University is its clock tower on MacKay Hall.

“My coworker has actually coined Park University as the ‘Hogwarts of the Midwest’ because of the ‘castle’ on campus,” she said. “A lot of Harry Potter fanatics really love that and are sold.”

Fellow Park admissions counselor and Missouri Western graduate Andrew Baxley said that Stubbs brings a lot to Park University’ admissions department as a coworker.

“She is incredibly hard working, very knowledgeable and has a strong desire to help each student reach their goals,” Baxley said.

PHOTO/Max MohrLindsey Stubbs, admissions counselor, works in her office to promote Park University to prospective students. Settling in to her new role last fall, Stubbs has a passion to see students pursue higher education at Park University.

“She is a team player and is eager and willing to step in to help at any time. On top of all that, she always brings a good attitude and a smile. These characteristics are contagious and help make the Office Of Admissions at Park University a special place.”

Baxley also said that Stubbs’ influence reaches beyond the admissions team and reaches students on a daily basis.

“She brings much more value to the students both current and prospective,” he said. “For current students, I believe her biggest contribution is acting as a good role model.

“She is a hardworking, young professional who always is willing to go the extra mile for the students. Whether that means teaching them about cheer techniques or just being a shoulder to cry on, she makes herself available to the students.

Regarding prospective students, (Stubbs) has an uncanny ability to relate anyone no matter how different they may be from her. From ‘dropping some Harry Potter Knowledge’ as Lindsey would say to talking about the Nashville Predators hockey game last night, (Her) random knowledge base knows no bounds. This ability to relate to these prospective students enables Lindsey to build relationships with students that help make them feel more comfortable about the going to college,” Baxley said.

Overall, Stubbs said her main hope is to be a good ambassador for Park University.

“I hope that I can be a good representative of Park University and to share with prospective students my passion for higher education,” she said “I definitely believe that, especially nowadays, it’s very important to have higher education.

“I hope I bring excitement and enthusiasm. I hope that students are not afraid to come to me with any questions that they may have about college.”

Elizabeth OroscoFeatures editor

‘I hope that I can be a good representative of Park University and to share with prospective students my passion for higher education.’

Lindsey Stubbs, admissions counselor

Alumna receives KCPD Medal of ValorAirik Leon

staFF reporter

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY/ KCPD

Officer Megan Gates (right), Park University Alumni, poses with part-ner Kevin Colhur (left), after receiv-ing the Medal of Valor from KCPD.

Student helps wife battle cancer while finishing degreeAirik Leon

staFF reporter

PHOTO/Airik LeonShawn Krysa, left, poses with his wife Amanda Krysa, who has battled cancer. Juggling school, two children and his wife’s diagnosis, Shawn earned his degree in July 2014.