Scholarships available for students who put forth effort
Nick Kosmider
Last month, five Mesa Community College students were recognized for their achievements in and out of the classroom as they were recognized as the 2008 MLK MCC Scholarship winners.The scholarship awarded the students $900 for this spring semester. Applicants had to have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and be enrolled in at least six credit hours.
The students were honored with a breakfast at the Mesa Marriott.
Sierrah Ceccarelli, a sophomore majoring in biotechnology at MCC, was one of the honorees.
Ceccarelli believes the fields of math and science to be a new “language” people communicate with.
According to Ceccarelli, science has made
America the world’s most innovative nation.
Shannon Beasley was another MCC student awarded a scholarship at the breakfast.
Beasley, a single parent of two, is enrolled in MCC’s dental hygiene program.
Beasley works full time to support her family but hopes achieving a degree in dental hygiene from MCC will help create a better life for her and her children.
Her goal is to remain at the top of the class in terms of grades throughout the semester.
MCC student Eric Thompson, who is involved with many activities on campus, was also awarded the MLK scholarship.
As well as being enrolled in the Honors program, Thompson is also president of the MCC Philosophy club and also represents the club as its senator in the student senate.
Other duties for Thompson include, vice president of Psi-Beta, recycling program coordinator for Omicron Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
He is also an active member of the Student Public Policy forum.
Thompson is also very active in the community as he is serving a 900-hour Americorp term where he assists with service projects in the community.
Charles Johnston, who began college at Appalachian State University, recieved the scholarship for his GPA and two years of service as a full time volunteer.
Tyler Watkins was also a receipient of the scholarship.
Watkins who just completed his first semester of nursing classes at MCC, hopes to receive his associate’s degree in nursing here.
He also hopes to graduate with a nurse practitioners license but said he is leaving the option of exploring other medical careers open.
The Mesa Community College website has a large database of information about scholarships available to all students.
The Americorps scholarship gives students the opportunity to trade community service time for financial aid.
A student who meets the eligibility requirements and commits to 300 hours of community service in a pre-determined area will receive a minimum of $1000 in financial rewards.
More information about scholarships can be found on the school’s website at mc.maricopa.edu/students/financialaid.
Students can also visit the MCC Financial Aid office to gather information on scholarships and other financial aid information.
The office recommends students apply for as many scholarships as they can because there is always money that goes unclaimed.
