For Immediate Release: June 29, 2004
Media Contact: Kristen Habbestad,
NORWALK, CA – June 29, 2004 – Cerritos College counselors recently honored eight CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) program students by presenting them with scholarship awards during a June 15 meeting. Carol Bucknam, Martha Guzman, Genoveva Hernandez, Amanda Mitchell, Martha Nava, Shannon Peery, Tracy Rivera and Trixxie Wiley each received $250 to use toward their academic pursuits at the college.
This scholarship money comes from funding provided to Cerritos College by TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), which is a federal program to assist CalWORKs recipients. The TANF budget allows for some flexibility in use of funds. At Cerritos College, the budget is configured in such a way so that at the end of every fiscal year the college can give back to worthy students to help and support them in some small but meaningful way.
CalWORKs funds are for the purpose of assisting cash aid recipient students and those in transition off welfare to achieve long-term self-sufficiency through coordinated student services offered at community colleges, which include: work study, job placement, child care, coordination, curriculum development and redesign, post-employment skills training and instructional services. Cerritos College CalWORKs information is available online at www.cerritos.edu/calworks.
“These students were chosen for their perseverance and ability to jump over many hurdles while being a CalWORKs student,” said Cerritos College CalWORKs and PACE Coordinator Renée De Long Chomiak.
Carol Bucknam holds an AA degree in nursing from Nevada; however, due to unfortunate circumstances, felt she might not be able to pursue a career in the nursing field.
A resident of Norwalk, she enrolled at Cerritos College to study electronics, where she excelled and earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.88. Bucknam later decided that in order for her to be truly self-sufficient, she will need to further her education in nursing. Therefore, she has decided to work on the prerequisites to transfer to a nursing program at a four-year university. She has also taken steps to reinstate her nursing license in California so that she can work while going to school. Although this will not be an easy process, her counselors, instructors and classmates are confident that she will succeed in accomplishing her educational and career goals.
Martha Guzman of Pico Rivera is a single mother of four children. She is working to complete an AA degree in child development, attending school full-time and working part-time. Her instructors refer to her as an excellent student.
Genoveva Hernandez of Norwalk is a young mother of four children who wants to make a new life for her family. She recently decided to attend cosmetology classes at Cerritos College. Borrowing money from her sister to pay for the cosmetology kit, she was extremely relieved that she was not turned away after she applied to the program. Hernandez takes advantage of the free on-campus child care provided by the Cerritos College Child Development Center.
Amanda Mitchell of Huntington Beach is studying dental assisting. She is a parent of a child who has special needs. For more than a year, Mitchell has worked with the Department of Social Services in Orange County to understand her son’s special-needs situation. Her daily schedule consists of juggling doctor appointments and therapy classes for her child, attending college classes, and fulfilling work experience requirements. Mitchell takes it all in stride and applies a sense of humor to her daily experiences.
Martha Nava of Long Beach is a single mother of a toddler and is studying to pursue a career in mathematics. In high school, Nava received honors recognition in her biology course. She was also recognized as a Bank of America Scholar and elected MVP (most valuable player) by her soccer team. She has work experience as a cashier and front office clerk. Nava is working hard to complete her education and to find a satisfying career.
Shannon Peery of Los Angeles is a single mother of three children. She is currently working to complete an AA degree in the pharmacy technician program. Noted by program instructors as an excellent student, Peery takes a full class load—more than 12 units each semester—while juggling family and studies.
Tracy Rivera of Arcadia is a single mother of two children. She is studying child development and has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.77 and a GPA of 4.0 for spring 2004. According to Chomiak, Rivera is motivated, dependable, has a positive attitude and is committed to accomplishing her goals.
Trixxie Wiley resides in Los Angeles and is completing the pharmacy technician program at Cerritos College. Wiley is a dedicated student who struggles with her academics but never gives up and never gets down on herself. She is a single mother of one daughter who is noted in the program as being organized and responsible.
“We’re very proud of each of these students,’ said Chomiak. “It’s an honor to be able to give them this scholarship money, which will go a long way in helping them achieve their goals.”
For nearly 50 years, Cerritos College has served as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County communities including Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada and Norwalk. The college offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
###
KH