Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Cerro Coso students Armando Contreras and Sarah Smith have been named to the 2014 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Team, a state-wide competition co-sponsored by the Community College League of California and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
Building on the success of the national All-USA Team Program, Phi Theta Kappa launched the All-State Academic Team Program to provide recognition at the state level for top community college students. Grades, leadership, and community service determine selection to the All-California first, second, and third teams.
The selection for the All-California teams was determined by the scores nominees received from Phi Theta Kappa judges. Contreras and Smith are among the 76 California students chosen for this year's awards and represent some of the best of the two million students enrolled in California's 112 community colleges.
Both Contreras and Smith are members of the college's Beta Kappa Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa the international honor society for two year colleges that encourages academic excellence and promotes community services.
Armando, a December 2013 graduate of Cerro Coso earning all three Liberal Arts degrees the college offers, made the second California team. He is currently finishing up transfer credits and plans to transfer in the fall. An Economics major, Armando took 21 units last semester while working two part-time jobs, and holds a 3.8 GPA. His future plans are to obtain a law degree and practice law. "It's an honor to represent the best of the best in the community college,” said Armando.
Sarah is an English major at Cerro Coso and will graduate this May. Not quite sure what she wanted to major it, she credits two of her English professors with encouraging her to pursue a degree in a field in which she excels. She serves as president of the International Club on the Ridgecrest campus, and has found getting involved in extracurricular activities on campus provides a setting to become involved and an opportunity to positively influence other students. Sarah made third California team. Her career goal is to be an Editor or Publisher. Both Sarah and Armando will transfer to four year universities next fall.
Cerro Coso Community College congratulates Armando and Sarah for their hard work and success.
For further information, please contact Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260