How Crowd the Court Set Linah Pettifer on Her Path at Kirkwood
When Linah Pettifer, a senior from Orion High School in Illinois, walked into Johnson Hall last January for Kirkwood’s annual Crowd the Court event, she was mostly looking forward to a fun day. She wanted to see the campus, meet current students, and check out the energy she had been hearing about. What she didn’t expect was to walk out as the winner of a full-tuition scholarship — a moment that would completely change her college journey.
“Choosing a college education wasn’t an easy decision for me,” Linah said. “But Kirkwood really showed me everything I wanted in a school. The size wasn’t too big or too small, and what really sold it was that this community college actually puts an emphasis on the community it nurtures.”
When her name was called during halftime, Linah stood in stunned silence.
“At first it seemed too good to be true,” she said. “A full-tuition scholarship just for attending a basketball game? When I heard my name called, I was in complete disbelief — but so excited, because my college decision was made so much easier.”
For the Admissions team, seeing a student’s life change in real time is exactly why the event exists.
“Crowd the Court is an incredible opportunity for students to experience campus and feel the energy of Kirkwood,” said Tyler Poldervaart, Associate Director of Admissions. “Watching Linah win that scholarship was a powerful reminder of how one visit can open the door to a student’s future.”
Finding Her Community at Kirkwood
Now in her first year at Kirkwood, Linah is thriving as a Liberal Arts major with plans to transfer and pursue Pre-Physical Therapy or Kinesiology.
Adjusting to a new area wasn’t immediate, she admits — but involvement made all the difference.
“I definitely had a hard time adjusting at first, but I love it here now,” she said. “I’ve joined Dance Marathon, gone to tons of events, and my favorite so far has been the Eagle Leadership Series. I also love that I can go to the rec center with any of my Kirkwood friends — it makes campus feel like home.”
Her favorite class to date has been Intro to Chemistry with Fred Ochs.
“He’s very passionate about what he teaches, and everything clicked very well for me,” she said. “He prepares you very well for every exam.”
Advice for Future Eagles
When she thinks about other students trying to make the same decision she once faced, Linah doesn’t hesitate.
“You’ll pay a lot less than going somewhere else, and you’ll get more one-on-one education because the classes are smaller and the teachers are very personable,” she said.
And when it comes to getting the full Kirkwood experience?
“Go on some visits to experience campus. Crowd the Court is an amazing visit to go to!”
Crowd the Court Returns on February 14, 2026
The 2026 Crowd the Court Campus Visit Day will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students will explore campus through sessions, tours, and student panels — followed by the men’s and women’s basketball games in Johnson Hall at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Just like last year, two attending high school seniors will win a full-tuition scholarship worth up to 15 credits per semester for an entire year.
Learn more or register at kirkwood.edu/ctccvd.