Apply for PTK All USA and Coca-Cola academic team scholarships now

Germanna Community College will continue its involvement with the All-USA Community College Academic Team and the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team programs in 2015. 

Germanna student Stefano Sarris was selected as a 2014
 Phi Theta Kappa All-Virginia Academic Team member and
 was named a Coca-Cola Silver Scholar and 
All-USA Community College Academic Team member.

The collaboration of USA Today, the Follett Higher Education Group, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, AACC and Phi Theta Kappa will lead to students being featured in an April issue of USA Today and the awarding of nearly $350,000 in scholarships to outstanding community college students.  We have the opportunity to nominate up to two students per campus to participate in this competition, and our college has the opportunity to receive national press recognition should one of our nominees be identified as a scholar.   

In addition to recognition by USA Today, Follett, and Coca-Cola, nominees to these programs are recognized in All-State Academic Team programs held in 38 states. All-State Team programs may offer students academic scholarships, stipends, newspaper coverage, medallions and/or certificates. By nominating students to the All-USA Community College Academic Team national program, we are able to provide additional scholarship opportunities for nominees to which they would otherwise not have access. 

At this time, we are seeking qualified applicants.   In selecting nominees to represent our institution, we ask you to consider the eligibility criteria to determine if you might be a good fit for the scholarship.  The scholarships look to award students with outstanding academic rigor and grade point averages; participation in honors programs; awards, honors, and recognition for academic achievement, and service to the college and community.
In addition, the focal point of the application is the essay. This should center around one endeavor undertaken by the student that utilized their community college education to improve their respective community or college.  Judges look for innovative, creative, original and lasting achievements or undertakings.
For more information about the scholarships available, or to apply, please visit http://www.ptk.org/become-a-member/scholarships/academic-teams. 
Preliminary applications must be submitted no later than November 4, 2014. 
For more information, contact Becky Morris at rmorris@germanna.edu

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