PR2010 Apr U2

TWO SHELTON STATE STUDENTS MEMBERS OF ALL-ALABAMA ACADEMIC TEAM

BIRMINGHAM -- Shelton State Community College students Courtney Cloud (Guntersville) and Brittany Lee

(Wilsonville) were included on a list of 51 students from the state’s community and technical colleges who were

honored April 2 at the All-Alabama Academic Team Recognition Program in Birmingham, Ala. One award was

given posthumously.

Both sophomores serve as officers in the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Lee also serves as the

outgoing regional vice president for the Alabama Regional PTK. Lee also serves as a Shelton State Ambassador.

Cloud plans to attend either Jackson State University or The University of North Alabama to major in social work.

Lee will attend Mississippi State University and major in medical technology.

Austin Miller’s family tearfully accepted the award on her behalf. Austin, who passed away last November, was a

student at Jefferson State Community College majoring in broadcast journalism. She was an active member of Phi

Theta Kappa, the honor society serving two-year colleges, and she was an intern at Fox 6 News in Birmingham.

Suzanne Kornegay of Snead State Community College in Boaz, AL was named the New Century Scholar. The New

Century Scholar is chosen as the top student for their state based on his or her score for the national All-USA

program. ‘‘It is such an honor to represent not only Snead State but also the State of Alabama,’’ she said. ‘‘Snead

State and the two-year college system have helped so much in all of my academic endeavors.’’ She plans to attend

The University of Alabama and earn a degree in industrial engineering. Her goal is to work with the Space Program.

New Century Scholars will represent their state this year at the opening session of the American Association of

Community Colleges Convention in Seattle, WA on April 17.

The All-Alabama students, representing 25 colleges in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), were

honored for their scholastic achievement. Students selected must possess a minimum GPA of 3.25, be involved in

campus activities and have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours at the institution. All have plans to further

their education. They were recognized for their academic achievement and distinguished leadership.

The students were honored before an audience that included their parents and families; college presidents, deans

and faculty from throughout the ACCS; and representatives from several universities.

‘‘These students and this occasion represent the real reasons we do what we do every day,’’ ACCS Chancellor Freida

Hill stated. ‘‘They will go on to do phenomenal things with their lives and for the state. When students succeed, the

state succeeds.’’

Alabama State Board of Education vice president emerita Dr. Ethel Hall, representing District IV, brought greetings

from the board and encouraged the students to continue working hard toward their goals. She also thanked the

parents and other supporters of the students and urged them to continue because their jobs were not over yet.

‘‘As our two-year schools succeed, so does Alabama and the nation,’’ Dr. Hall stated.

Community colleges allow students to stay close to home, get a strong academic foundation in a student-focused

environment with small classes, and benefit from flexible class schedules, much lower tuition rates and an

articulation agreement that guarantees their coursework will transfer to any public college or university within the

state.

Several members of this year’s team were also honored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which in 2009

established the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team Program. The program provides up to

$450,000 in stipends. Gold Scholars received $1,500; Silver Scholars received $1,250 and Bronze Scholars received

$1,000. All scholars received special medallions and will be listed in USA Today this month. Some students were

also named national finalists.

The All-Alabama Academic Team Recognition Program was founded in 1995 to complement the All-USA National

Academic Team Program sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the American

Association of Community Colleges.

2010 All-Alabama Academic Team

College     Student     Student

Alabama Southern Community College     Whitney Foreman     Ava Long

Bevill State Community College     Steven Alex Carden     Elizabeth Fuqua

Bishop State Community College     Charles Eubanks     Jeffrey Lehman

Calhoun Community College     Alexandra Grimanis     Dan Kim

Central Alabama Community College     Dorothy Castleberry     Robert Pearson, Jr.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College     Garrett Miles     Hannah Young

Jefferson Davis Community College     James Hamric     Tyler Parker

Drake State Technical College     Whitney Ingram     Sophia Lacy

Enterprise State Community College     Shaquille Marsh     Lauren Priest

Faulkner State Community College     Irene Klopner     Rhonda Stacy

Gadsden State Community College     Hollie Mulkey     Megan Slezak

Jefferson State Community College     Jessica Hinkle     Melanie Mixon

Lawson State Community College     Lawrence Jackson     Melanie Wren

Marion Military Institute     Alexander Fhlug     William Lee

Northeast Alabama Community College     Devin Kennamer     Martha Spurgin

Northwest-Shoals Community College     Melissa Mitchell     Kolby Weaver

Reid State Technical College     Cory Tucker     Meredith Williams

Shelton State Community College     Courtney Cloud     Brittany Lee

Snead State Community College     Amanda Cochran     Suzanne Kornegay

Southern Union State Community College     Garrett Lindsey     Hannah Stockman

Trenholm State Technical College     Kari Burton     Aaron Ganey

Wallace Community College – Dothan     Peggy Fleming     Miranda Villamar

Wallace Community College – Hanceville     Andrea Hughes     Jennifer Prybyla

Wallace Community College – Selma     Leimomi Holmes     Joseph James

L.B. Wallace Community College     Mary Margarette Lawson     Jared Williams