Press Release
ALL Campuses
December 12, 2002
Amber Hanson Named Cerro Coso's Fall "Student of the Semester"
The Cerro Coso Community College Alumni Association proudly announced the
"Student of the Semester" for the fall 2002 term. The Association, at a
special luncheon in December, recognized Amber Hanson as an outstanding
student from the IWV campus.
Two full-time faculty members, Christine Swiridoff and Jim Manion, nominated
Ms. Hanson for the award. Amber has been a student at Cerro Coso since the
spring of 2000. She has maintained a GPA of 3.91 taking on a tough academic
schedule. She is preparing to enter the teaching profession by transferring
to a four-year institution, probably Cal State San Bernardino, in the fall
of 2003.
Amber graduated from Mesquite High School in early spring of 2000, three
months early, where she received many honors and awards, including being the
Valedictorian. She received a Fire Mountain Foundation Scholarship,
Associated Students Scholarship, and Gilbert Plain Scholarship, all in 2001.
In 2002, she again received the Gilbert Plain Scholarship, along with the
Lorraine McClung Scholarship.
But it was not primarily for these obviously outstanding academic
achievements that Amber was nominated for this award. Cerro Coso has a
number of such well-qualified scholars. She was nominated for the cheerful
and steadfast way in which Amber has applied herself to the challenges and
opportunities of Cerro Coso, that make her truly outstanding. She currently
holds four part time jobs, totaling to well over the equivalent of one full
time job, in order to support herself and her 3-year old daughter, Anna
Marie. Swiridoff describes Amber as a "spark plug in the College's Learning
Assistance Center (LAC), facilitating the smooth operation of the tutoring
services and expertly tutoring several academic subjects herself. She is
most effective in bolstering the moral of students coming to the LAC in need
of help. Her smile and warmth convince all that seek help in the LAC that
they have come to the right place. In addition to all she does at the
College, she is a Teacher's Aide for an online program and a private tutor
for non-Cerro Coso students."
"The Alumni Association is very proud to bestow this award on Ms. Hanson
acknowledging her dedication and many achievements by selecting her as the
Fall 2002 Student of the Semester," stated Director of Alumni Relations,
Joann Handeland. Hanson was presented with a certificate of appreciation, an
alumni pin, a $200 cash award, and a Cerro Coso remembrance gift. Her name
was also added to a perpetual plaque honoring all recipients of this
distinguished award.
Overall GPA, class participation, extracurricular activities, and community
involvement were all considered in the selection process for this award.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Services (760)
384-6230