It is with extreme pleasure that I write this recommendation for Clarissa Rucker. I have known Clarissa for 14 years and, as one of her mentors, I am amazed at how she has carved a path for her career. Clarissa was my videojournalist while we both worked at the ABC broadcast television affiliate WSET. Collaborating with her on developing on-air stories in the Lynchburg/Roanoke, Virginia market was a creative joy. Through the years, I came to know that Clarissa has a genuine and natural-born compassion for the community around her. She takes that natural gift to the next level and acts on it in ways to identify and provide solutions to any situation. When she expressed an interest to work for the Associated Press, installing and explaining the software program used by hundreds of newsrooms across the country, I urged her to do so. I was pleased to know that at the AP, she excelled on many levels. Clarissa has a way of explaining complex programs, getting the most from them and the people using them, yet putting that explaination into a layman's language quickly. She has a way of thinking beyond a standard framework to find the optimum yet desired result. Clarissa is and has been an asset to all her work environments and I have no doubt that she will continue to grow. She is a joy to work with.

I met Clarissa while she was a student. She was a hard worker and developed her skills rapidly. I enjoyed having her in class because she enjoyed learning. She was out for than just a grade she really wanted to learn how to do the job so that she could be successful in her career.

Even after she graduated, we stayed in touch as she asked for the occasional advice -- which I was happy to provide. She always asked the right questions and focused on the things that were important.

I've enjoyed watching her grow into a competent and skilled craftsman. I continue to appreciate her friendship. She is a woman of quality -- a blessing to those who have the privilege of knowing her.