Germanna students named to All-Virginia, All-USA academic squads

Germanna Community College students Dayana Pachon Ramos, Stefano Sarris, Jennifer Baggett and Christine Chester were honored this week at a luncheon at the Omni Richmond Hotel as members of the 2014 Phi Theta Kappa All-Virginia Academic Team.

VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois with Germanna PTK student honorees Jennifer Baggett, Christine Chester, Dayana Pachon Ramos and Stafano Sarris. Photo by Monique Lewis

Sarris has also been named  a Silver Scholar on Coca-Cola's 2014 All-USA Community College Academic Team. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  His selection was based on the score he earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, competing against a national field of 1,700.

 He'll receive a silver medallion and a check for $1,250 next week at the national PTK convention in Orlando.

Sarris will earn his associate's degree from GCC in May and transfer to Cornell University in the fall, where he will study environmental science.

At Germanna, he received an Atlantic Builders scholarship from CEO Adam Fried and the Germanna Educational Foundation.

Monique Lewis, a Germanna faculty member and PTK advisor, said Sarris "epitomizes the diverse student body found at GCC. Our students have unique stories and overcome great odds to become successful. His drive is awe inspiring."

Coca-Cola All-USA Academic Team member Stefano Sarris, a Germanna student, is congratulated by GCC President David Sam. Photo by Monique Lewis