Featuring Makena Ramirez of Grand Island, Neb., who is majoring in PK-12 Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental) at Wayne State.
Makena Ramirez considers herself to be the luckiest student at Wayne State College because Wayne State provides her with her two great loves – music and rugby. The senior from Grand Island, Neb., who is majoring in Music Education (Vocal and Instrumental) at Wayne State, is this week’s subject of the Student Spotlight Series.
“I fell in love with the atmosphere of my high school band room, and I’ve been in love with music ever since,” said Ramirez. “Music is a universal language that everyone understands. I chose my major with the intention of inspiring others and using music as a way to express that. I’ve had some wonderful teachers in Grand Island who inspired my education such as Nate Balcom, Tiffany Gapp, and Blaine Morrow.”
Ramirez was involved in marching band throughout her four years at Grand Island Senior High School, and she’s a member of the Wildcat Marching Band at Wayne State. However, when she’s not performing with the marching band, she marches to the beat of a different drummer.
“I honestly hadn’t heard of rugby until I got to Wayne State, but I fell in love with the sport immediately, as well as the sportsmanship that comes with it,” said Ramirez, a wing on the Wildcat women’s rugby team. “I’ve played for about three years now, and what got me interested was how everyone comes together after a game where you’re beating up each other.
(Note: Catch the 2-0 women’s rugby team on Saturday, Sept. 20, when they host Winona State University at 10 a.m. at the Wayne State Soccer and Rugby Complex.)
While she loves the fact that she’s here, Ramirez’s path to Wayne State was uncertain at times due to COVID-19.
“With the COVID-19 outbreak, I was heartbroken that I may not get to pursue my education,” said Ramirez, who is a first-generation college student. “I didn’t even want to go to college anymore but a teacher I had during that time inspired me to look at Wayne State because I was taking dual credit courses.”
Through Wayne State College's dual credit program, high school juniors and seniors can take college-level courses while still enrolled in high school and receive credit for them, all at a low rate. The program is a unique partnership between a high school and Wayne State.
“The thing that has impressed me the most about Wayne State is the way the community of Wayne supports the college students and how the faculty takes the time to get to know you as a person, not just as another student,” said Ramirez. “The faculty members in Wayne State’s music department have made a tremendous impact on my life and education.”
In addition to women’s rugby, Ramirez is involved with the Wildcat Marching Band, Saxophone Quartet, and the Wayne State Symphonic Band.
Ramirez is scheduled to graduate in May 2026, and she intends to pursue a teaching career at Grand Island Senior High School and help with the marching band.
Fun Fact: “I’ve had four knee surgeries, three on my right knee and one on my left. I have 32 tattoos and 14 piercings, and I can wiggle my ears and my nose.”