Richmond— The best and brightest students throughout Virginia’s Community Colleges were honored today by Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges and the colleges’ presidents at a luncheon at the new Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Richmond.
"Your achievement is a tremendous accomplishment,” Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling told the students. “You are preparing yourselves for a lifetime of work and success, and I salute you.”
“My parents were determined that I was going to get a good education,” continued Bolling, as he shared he was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. “And the time I put into it was the best strategic investment I could have ever made. You are learning that lesson too and I commend you for it."
“It’s important to point out that while these students earn impressive grades, it takes more than just grades to warrant this recognition,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “It takes community involvement and leadership. That’s the excellence these students show. They personify the community college mission of building stronger individuals and stronger communities.”
The top 10 students earn special recognition as the “First Virginia Team,” representing the best and the brightest of community college students and include the following individuals:
Sumaya M. Al-Hajebi, 18, is majoring in education at the Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. A native of Haifa Palestine, the Woodbridge resident is maintaining a 3.7 grade point average while participating in several campus organizations including the Student Government Association, the Black Student Alliance and the Inter Campus Council. Al-Hajebi serves as vice president of the Muslim Student Association, public relations officer for the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and secretary for Circle K. Her academic achievements have earned her a place on the Dean’s List, a Phi Theta Kappa Bronze Coca-Cola scholarship. Following graduation, she is transferring to George Mason University.
Nathanael Ajit Arthur, 23, is majoring in social science and business management at the Loudoun Campus of Northern Virginia Community College, where he maintains a 3.8 grade point average. Arthur is involved in numerous activities including organizing a clothing drive for the homeless, assisting with new student orientation, tutoring and volunteering at a local retirement home and elementary school. Arthur serves as a student ambassador and is president of the Student Leadership Club and the college’s PTK chapter. Arthur’s academic achievements have earned him an All USA Today Bronze Medal, the VCCS Leadership Award, the Richard J. Ernst Endowed Scholarship, the Dr. Max L. Bassett Endowed Scholarship and a place in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.
Jordan Begley, 18, is a liberal arts major at Mountain Empire Community College. The Duffield resident is maintaining a 3.8 grade point average, while being involved with many activities. Begley is a second-year AmeriCorps participant with 900 hours of annual service. She has assisted with community cleanup activities and with a book drive to aid elementary school students. Her campus activities include serving as a student diplomat, a student representative on the International Education Committee, a member of the Relay for Life team, and she represented the MECC student body at a visit to Virginia General Assembly. Begley’s academic achievements have twice earned her a place on the President’s List for Honor Students. She is also a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, a Commonwealth Legacy Scholar, and the school’s nominee for the Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service. Begley is transferring to the University of Virginia at Wise.
Diane Belcher, 43, captured the top spot in this year’s All-Virginia Academic Team and was named the New Century Scholar. She also was named to the USA Today’s All-USA Academic Team which annually recognizes the top 20 outstanding two-year college students in the nation. Belcher is a student at New River Community College. She is majoring in human services and holds a 3.8 grade point average. Belcher is involved in a number of college activities including membership with Human Services and Early Childhood Development and the school’s Omega Eta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Off campus, Belcher is a member of the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and Rocky Knob Task Force/Blue Ridge Heritage, Inc. Among her many achievements, Belcher was named to the President’s and Dean’s List and to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. She has earned the New River Community College Educational Foundation Scholar for the past two years. Off campus, Belcher served an elected position with the Floyd County Board of Supervisors from 1998-2007.
Kathleen Fort, 49, is a communication and design major at Central Virginia Community College where she is maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Fort is also a studio art major at Randolph College, while continuing to take graphic arts classes at CVCC. She will graduate in May 2010 and will receive both a B.A. in studio art from Randolph College and an A.A.S. degree in communication design from CVCC. Fort is involved with Polis, the art and literary journal at CVCC and is a member of the school’s Chi Psi chapter of PTK. Her academic success and drive have earned her selection as a 2009 Coca-Cola Gold Scholar.
Tracy Grzelakowski, 40, is a student at Lord Fairfax Community College. The Stephens City resident is a liberal arts major and holds a 4.0 grade point average. Grzelakowski volunteers at Armel Elementary School and is involved with the Parent Teacher Association. After only five months as a member of LFCC’s Alpha Beta Omega chapter, she became president of the Virginia region Phi Theta Kappa. Grzelakowski says serving as president has given her the opportunity to show others that success is possible when you have a positive attitude and are willing to work hard and not take yourself too seriously. Upon graduating she is transferring to James Madison University.
David Hall, 18, from Remington is also a Lord Fairfax Community College student. The liberal arts major is maintaining a near perfect 3.93 grade point average. Hall is a member of the Student Government Association, vice president of Scholarship with the Fauquier campus Alpha Psi Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and serves as the vice president for the Virginia Region of PTK. He is a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Mountain View Community Church, and is a volunteer for Relay for Life. After graduation, Hall intends on transferring to Old Dominion University.
Jonathan Helmer, 20, from Prince George, is an arts and science major at John Tyler Community College, where he is maintaining a grade point average of 3.6. Helmer is a member of the History Club at JTCC, serving as co-president in 2008. Outside of school, he is an assistant scoutmaster and is an instructor of historical and ballroom dance. He is also involved with mission work, including travel to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Helmer’s academic success has earned him a place among the 2009 Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and the JTCC President’s List for the past two years. After graduation, Helmer is considering transferring to Old Dominion University.
Derek Wade Hollar, 36, is majoring in information systems technology at Wytheville Community College. While maintaining a 3.95 grade point average, Hollar keeps busy with Phi Theta Kappa, sports and family activities. He is the president of the Association of Computing Machinery Club at the college. Hollar’s academic successes include membership in PTK and he is the recipient of a Coca Cola Silver Scholarship.
Emily Traylor, 20, is a Charlottesville resident. The liberal arts and music major at Piedmont Virginia Community College is maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average, while being involved in numerous activities. She serves as editor-in-chief of The Forum newspaper, president of the Newspaper Club, president of the Music Club, vice president of Student Government Association, assistant secretary of Phi Theta Kappa, Volunteer Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, PVCC Tour Guides and Christian Student Fellowship. In her spare time she teaches piano lessons, volunteers as pianist for her church and tutors Spanish and writing in the PVCC Learning Center. Traylor’s academic honors include a 2009 Coca Cola Silver Scholarship, Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges for the past two years, and President’s List for three consecutive years. She is recipient of the Regine Ananou Award for Spanish, Carol Friedman Award for Music, The Forum Leadership Award, member of the PVCC Honors Program, recipient of the Susan B. Chartres Scholarship and the James B. Murray Humanities Scholarship.
Along with the 10 students honored as the First Virginia Team, 45 additional students were recognized for their achievement and have earned membership in the All-Virginia Academic Team of PTK.
Each member of the All-Virginia Academic Team received Phi Theta Kappa medallions and certificates at the luncheon. The students on the First Virginia Team also received a $500 scholarship from their college.
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About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit myfuture.vccs.edu.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jeffrey Kraus
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations
(804) 819-4949
jkraus@vccs.edu