Cerritos College News Release

NORWALK, Calif. - March 31, 2008 - Eighteen scholarship winners and 55 student award winners were honored on Tuesday evening, March 25 at Cerritos College's annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony in the Burnight Center Theatre.

The Academic Excellence Awards were created in 1981 to recognize the academic accomplishments of students in various departments throughout the college. The college believes that students recognized at the ceremony are some of the finest examples of how Cerritos College is fulfilling its mission by building futures through learning, and is excited to see what the future holds for these students who have made academic excellence a priority in the pursuit of their education.

Students must meet rigorous criteria including the completion of a minimum of 20 units at Cerritos College with a 3.5 grade point average or higher, the completion of nine units in the area of recognition with a 3.5 grade points average or higher, and the recommendation of a faculty member in the area of recognition

This year’s ceremony began with greetings by Carol Baker, Cerritos College Foundation Chairperson, Dr. Noelia Vela, Cerritos College President/Superintendent and Dr. Bryan Reece, Cerritos College Faculty Senate President.

Following the welcomes, a Chopin waltz performed by I-chien “Flora” Cheng, pianist and student of Fang-Fang Shi Inouye, Applied Music, charmed the audience with its delicate beauty.

The keynote speaker Dr. John Haas, Professor of History, encouraged students to stay positive even in an exasperating circumstance, referring to the late psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor who stayed uplifted during his torment. “The more you are empowered, the more you have the ability to make a difference to the world by thinking clearly and making a positive response when frustrated.”

The enlightening speech by Dr. Haas was followed by the foundation scholarships were presented by Steven Richardson, Cerritos College Foundation Executive Director and a brief biography of each recipient was given by Carol Baker.

The Academic Excellence Awards were presented by Bob Arthur, Cerritos College Board President and Dr. Eric T. Ikeda, Cerritos College Foundation Board Member and bios were read by Tom Jackson, Cerritos College Board Member and Steven Richardson.

Each student’s story was truly inspiring and it will surely encourage others to aspire to excellence.

Dr. Reece concluded the ceremony by congratulating the awardees. "You are on the path to becoming one of the future leaders of many communities. We are very proud of you and have very high hopes for you. We encourage you to continue working hard to prepare for your future role as leaders.”

Photo of Academic Excellence Awards recipients

Click here for a larger photo:

Following are the names of 18 scholarship recipients:

Martin Corona, Edward Bloomfield Philosophy Scholarship
Michael Sanchez, Richard McGrath Memorial Scholarship Jin Hyang Kim, Dr. Jack Hoekzema Medical Assisting Scholarship
Mark Meredith, Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen Scholarship
Rose Fuentes, Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen Scholarship
Jonathan Cheng, Dr. Keith Allen Hinrichsen Scholarship
Bryan Rowe, English Department Scholarship
Jin Young Choi, English Department Scholarship
Vanessa Deleon, English Department Scholarship
Merica Teng, English Department Scholarship
Berenice Gallardo, Dr. Joan Licari Earth Science Scholarship
Steven Bolivar, Jules Crane Scholarship
Karan Dhungana, U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship
Uttam Paudel, U.S.S. Pelias Scholarship
Fadi Almachraki, Newtown Werner Chemistry Scholarship
Harsh Shah, Glorya Welch Mathematics Scholarship
Joseph Hsu, Paige “Scholar” Scholarship
Kannica Tang, Paige “Scholar” Scholarship

Following are the names of 55 award winners and the disciplines in which they are studying:

Fadi Almachraki, Chemistry
Juliana Arzola, Medical Assistant
Eric Barnes, Plastics-Composites Manufacturing
Steven Bolivar, Biology
Tariq Bruno, Speech
Karen Carnevale, Cosmetology
Matthew Cervantes, Automotive Mechanical Repair Technology
I-chien Cheng, Music
Jonathan Cheng, Political Science
Kazutoshi Chiba, Engineering Design Technology
Katie Colln, Physical Education/Exercise Science
Richard Cooper, History
Sherri Coulter, Sociology
Crystal DeGuzman, Natural Science
Hy Do, Electronics Technology
Angel Duarte, Mathematics
Ruben Espinoza, Dance
Liza Faught, Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Priscilla Gerakos, Dental Hygiene
Amber Gomez, French
Werner Gomez, Journalism
Mayra Gutierrez, Psychology
Hao Ha, Nursing
Hamlet Haroutonian, Plastics Manufacturing
Rizana Huda, Business Administrative Assistant
Joseph Hsu, Microbiology
Tammi Ishibashi, Astronomy
Sean Kang, Anthropology
Douglas Leon, Electronics Technology
Dimaso Lima, Machine Tool Technology
Margarito Lopez, Engineering Design and Production
Peter Lui, Business Marketing
Margarita Luna, Child Development, Special Education
Gilbert Martinez, Theater Arts
Joshua McBride, Welding Technology
Michael Miyake, Composites Manufacturing
Barbara Pickett, Pharmacy Technician
Reena Popiel de Cazaux, Child Development, Early Childhood
Audel Quiroz, Engineering Design Technology
William Raff, Philosophy
Bryan R. Rowe, English
Teresa Russ, Court Reporting
Oscar Sanchez, Plastics Manufacturing Technology
Shalin Shah, Business Administration
Steve Rosa, Photography
Kannica Tang, Physics
Pyotr Telegin, Accounting
Nhat-Huy Ton, Woodworking Manufacturing Technology
Mary Trostle, Cosmetology Esthetician
Mata Uluivuda, Economics
Charles Valcho, Computer & Information Sciences Programmer
Michael Valcho, Computer & Information Sciences Systems Analyst
Melina Vazquez, Child Development, Preschool Director
Jaclyn Veenema, Physical Therapist Assistant
Andre Zeumault, Computer & Information Sciences Software Development in C++/Visual C#

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008