Cerritos College News Releases 2011

Cerritos College Scholars' Honors Program recognizes graduates

42 Students complete Honors courses beyond grad requirements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2011

Media Contact:Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 653-7878

NORWALK, Calif. - May 5, 2011 -- Cerritos College's Scholars' Honors Program (SHP) honored its 42 graduates Monday, May 2, during its 14th annual graduation ceremony.

The graduates received bronze medallions for completing the full SHP curriculum of five honors courses while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average in transferable courses.

Honoring the SHP students at the ceremony were the Cerritos College Board President Tom Jackson, Cerritos College Vice President of Student Services Dr. Stephen Johnson, Dean of Academic Success and Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Bryan Reece, Dean of Counseling Dr. Renée De Long Chomiak, Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Linda Rose, Professors Dr. Linda Palumbo, Dr. Stephen Clifford, Farid Wissa, Peter Maloney, Faculty Senate President Debra Moore, and Evelyn Mattison from Counseling Services.

SHP Director Timothy Juntilla was master of ceremonies. "Students have received acceptances to four-year schools including CSUs, UCs, USC, Columbia University, MIT, Mills College, and Azusa Pacific University" said Juntilla.

Following Juntilla's greetings, medallions were presented to the graduates by Dr. Reece, and certificates by Dr. Johnson.

Those graduating from the program were:
Jacqueline Alvarez
Ben Basuni
Jessica Camargo
Alexander Cantero
Neftali Cardenas
Marc Castillo
Syh-Shiuan Chao
Quynh Duong
Meher Ellahi
Geovany Garcia
Juan Guerra
Melissa Hidalgo
Pritika Hirani
Julie Hofstra
Felix Kim
Robin Leung
Isabelle Maciel
Natasha Majano
Marie Marroquin
Claudia Martinez
Monica Meiloaica
Jessica Montoro
Alejandra Novoa-Vargas
Pak Or
Alex Pacheco
Amanda Passi
Andrea Perez
Amanda Ramirez
Rocio Ramos
Julienne Real
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Vaitiari Rodriguez
Ashley Rojas
Arquin Romero
German Rueda
Carlos Salas
Lea Santiago
Beatrice Siercke
Aaron Sobolew
Joy Tawadrous
Alina Turpin
Stephanie Vasquez
Antonio Zacatenco

As the ceremony concluded, Juntilla announced the two winners of the fifth annual Juntilla SHP Scholarship. Two outstanding students Joy Tawadrous and Alina Turpin each received a $500 check and a certificate.

"We are truly proud of these remarkable students," said Juntilla. "It has been our honor and privilege to have them in SHP and to add them to our alumni family."

The SHP program is the academic and social home that Cerritos College provides for talented and motivated students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Through the SHP program, many students have the opportunity to apply and receive prestigious scholarships. Benefits offered to students by SHP include opportunities for independent research with leading faculty members through the Honors Contract program, small-enrollment honors sections of courses needed for transfer, workshops to help in transferring to four-year schools, and scholarships to selected transfer colleges and universities. For more information on the SHP, visit the program's web page at www.cerritos.edu/shp or contact the SHP office at (562) 860-2451, ext. 2728.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos 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 averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.