PR 2007 Jun U1

Shannon Gryska Named Director of Community Education

Tuscaloosa - Shelton State Community College has named Shannon Camper Gryska Director of Community Education.

Gryska, a native of Gadsden, studied Music Education & Vocal Performance at Wallace State Community College where she was on scholarship for the Concert Choir, Show Choir and Lead Female Vocalist for the Jazz Band. She received her Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications from The University of Alabama.

She has competed in seven pageants through the “Miss America Organization” from the age of seventeen. In 2004 she was selected as “Miss Alabama” and spent her reigning year traveling nearly 85,000 miles and making over 500 appearances.

Shannon spent her years competing with a platform of Breast Cancer Awareness. She began the “Think Pink” Campaign in Gadsden and was named youngest spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for North and Central Alabama and raised over $112,000.00 for breast cancer aid and research. She was awarded “The Daily Points of Light National Community Service Award” for her efforts, an award commended by the President of the United States.

Gryska has her own music ministry entitled “Crowned Ministries,” where she speaks and sings to churches and local youth and civic groups.

“We are delighted to have someone with Shannon’s experience and energy joining our Community Education program,” said Tommy Taylor, Dean of Students.  “I know that she will bring a fresh and exciting voice to the courses and activities we offer.”

Shelton State’s Community Education program offers short term, non-credit courses to meet the changing needs of the people in the west Alabama area. Classes range from personal enrichment to children’s programs. Personal interest courses are available in a wide variety of areas, including computer science, art expression, languages, cooking and ballroom dancing. The Community Education division is also renowned for its’ pre-college ballet program as well as “Kids Kollege,” an academic program. For more information, contact the Office of Community Education, 205-391-2323.