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