A DMACC student living in Honolulu and taking virtual classes at DMACC has won a recent
DMACC Boone Campus t-shirt design contest.
Heidi Hoffbauer (pictured above), a second-year DMACC student who is completing the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Associates Program at DMACC, entered the DMACC Boone Campus Student Activities Council (SAC)-sponsored "Quaran-Tee" Contest.
DMACC Boone Campus SAC Coordinator Steve Krafcisin said the purpose behind the competition was to come up with a t-shirt design about the DMACC Boone Campus and the pandemic-induced quarantine time we are living through.
Hoffbauer, who admits she has never been to Iowa or to the DMACC Boone Campus, said she saw an online flyer about the competition and decided to enter.
"I had to update my resume recently, and I used a word cloud to help me choose the words that I needed to stand out," Hoffbauer said. “That is when I got the idea to use a word cloud to incorporate DMACC and COVID-19 together. While I was creating the cloud in the program, it looked like a bear paw, and that's how the t-shirt came to be."
Hoffbauer's design replicates a bear paw from the DMACC Bear mascot. At the bottom of the design, are the words “Bear With Us!" In between is the cloud of words associated with the DMACC Boone Campus, including “intramurals," “sports," “student housing" and “in my boots," with a #quarantine hashtag prominently displayed in the center.
DMACC Boone Campus Student Services/Assistant Housing Coordinator Amara Mayers said Hoffbauer received a t-shirt and a $25 gift card for winning the competition. DMACC students William Thatcher and Micki Anderson finished in second and third place, respectively. Both the second and third-place winners received a $10 gift card.
All proceeds from sales of the winning t-shirt design are going to Boone County Emergency Services.
“We chose emergency services because att the time, there were fears about a lack of resources
―
PPE (personal protective equipment) shortages specifically," said Dr. Drew Nelson, DMACC Boone Campus Provost.
A total of $375 has been raised by the sale of the shirts, which can still be ordered
here online through Dec. 1.
Both short-sleeve ($15) and long-sleeve ($20) t-shirts are available (see above), with all proceeds being donated to Boone County Emergency Services. Shirts may be ordered online until Dec. 1 at
pmgia.com/bearwithus/shop/home.
Hoffbauer said that, like Iowa, Hawaii, has seen a recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
“Our state is doing everything it can to stabilize so we can open back up safely," Hoffbauer said. “Our numbers have stayed consistent since October, and our governor is allowing visitors to enter with the proper testing. All the islands have been impacted.
"As you know Hawaii's economy is based on tourism. Many businesses have been put on hold or have had to close. The city hopes that once a vaccine is available, life should return to normal."
Hoffbauer said she is completing a Transportation and Border Security class, the third of three TSA classes this semester, and plans to have the online class completed by December. DMACC offers online classes to TSA employees in all 50 states.
She spoke highly of TSA.
“For those of you who may be looking for a career but are not sure where to start, please consider joining TSA," Hoffbauer said. “You can apply on Usajobs.gov. I have worked for TSA for three plus years and have grown so much from my time here. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Once you get started with TSA, it can open the door for you to gain a career with other federal agencies."
Hoffbauer said her future plans may include joining the police department or working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“I really enjoy Emergency Management, and I feel like helping people is what I am called to do," Hoffbauer said.
For more information, contact: Heidi Hoffbauer,
hhoffbauer@dmacc.edu