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May 1, 2008

Calhoun Community College's Best to be Honored at 39th Annual Honors Day Program

Calhoun Community College will recognize and honor its top students during the college’s 39th Annual Honors Day program, planned for tomorrow, Friday, May 2, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the Kelley Gymnasium on the Decatur campus.

Among the students to be honored are the college’s “Top Ten Most Outstanding Students,” the most outstanding student from each of Calhoun’s divisions and departments, and students named to Who’s Who among Students in American Junior Colleges. Other awards to be presented during the ceremony include the James B. Allen Pin Award, given in honor of the late U.S. Senator James B. Allen of Alabama to the student who has demonstrated order through citizenship, scholarship and service.

Academic awards will be given to those students receiving Calhoun scholarships, and scholarships from four-year colleges and universities also will be awarded by representatives from those institutions.

A picnic for students and their families will be held immediately following the program. The college will also conduct a special 60th Anniversary celebration cake-cutting during the program.

Top Ten Most Outstanding Students

	Heather Elizabeth Anderson – is a Theatre major from Hillsboro, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and the Theatre Club.  She is very active in her community through church activities such as Vacation Bible School, and through community theatre groups.  Heather plans to double major in theatre and English and hopes to eventually teach drama and English to children.  She believes “children are our future and the quality of their education will determine their success.”  Her GPA is 4.0.
	Megan Elizabeth Boone – is a Biology major from Athens, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.  Megan is the recipient of a Calhoun Merit Scholarship.  She has been active both on campus and off through her participation in the Service Learning Program.  Megan’s goal is to become a physician and join a program similar to Doctors Without Borders.  She would like to work overseas to provide healthcare and knowledge to those in need.  Her GPA is 4.0.
	Melanie Bradas – is an Art major from Madison, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta. She is very active in her community through church activities such as mission trips and serving as a Disciple Now co-leader.  She is also an employee at LifeWay Christian Bookstore.  Her goal is to attend UAH and obtain a degree in Graphic Design.  She hopes to use her art to “make people feel inspired and happy.”  Her GPA is 4.0.
	Morgan Nichole Cantrell – is a Secondary Education/ English major from Athens, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and serves a Co-head for the Calhoun Warhawks.  She has also served Calhoun in various other ways which include membership on committees like Outstanding Support Personnel, as well as the Calhoun Grievance Committee.  Morgan serves her community through volunteering at the Downtown Rescue Mission and the United Cerebral Palsy summer camp, and she also works with her church youth ministry.  Her goal is to eventually teach 11th or 12th graders in the Huntsville area.  Morgan’s GPA is 3.9.
	John MacArthur Evans – is an Electrical Engineering major from Athens, Alabama.  He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta.  John serves his community through participation in his church choir and through activities such as fundraisers, and he personally drives one of the elderly members to his doctor appointments and to visit his wife in a nursing home.  He just received a transfer scholarship to attend UAH.  His goal is to obtain his engineering degree, maybe even a master’s degree, and raise a family in the Athens or Huntsville area.  His GPA is 3.9.
	Diane Parker Floate – is an English and Law/Pre-Law major from Huntsville, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and the Calhoun Warhawks.  She also serves as one of Calhoun’s ROADS Program tutors, and she serves her community through her role as her church’s women’s ministry director for the past five years. She also volunteers at her children’s schools whenever needed.  Diane’s goal is to eventually complete her master’s degree in English, with hopes of returning to Calhoun one day to teach in the English Department.  Her GPA is 4.0.
	Irvin Lee Isbell, Jr. – is a Chemistry and Pre-Engineering major from Huntsville, Alabama.  He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is very active in his community through his service as minister, choir member, and adult Sunday school teacher for his church.  His goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and eventually obtain a master’s degree in engineering management.  His GPA is 3.5.
	Dorothy Laquinn Richey – is a General Education major from Hartselle, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and she works full-time for Calhoun as the Secretary to the Student Support Services Emerging Scholars program.  This is Laquinn’s third year as a Top Ten Student and she was one of two Calhoun students nominated for the 2008 All-USA Academic Team.  She is also active in her community through her church involvement and musical abilities.  Her goal is to help the students involved in her program “know that someone believes in them and that they have someone to turn to for encouragement.”  Her GPA is 3.9.
	Margaret Leigh Rodriguez – is a Business major from Madison, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Spanish Club, and serves as President of Sigma Kappa Delta.  Margaret is unique in that she is a dual enrollment student attending Calhoun while still in high school.  She is active in her community through her service as a volunteer intern with the Huntsville/Madison County Library and a volunteer for Junior Achievement.  Margaret’s goal is to become a strategic planner for an international luxury goods firm and possibly teach college level classes after acquiring experience in the business field.  Her GPA is 4.0.
	Brittany Scott – is an Elementary Education major from Decatur, Alabama.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Baptist Campus Ministries, and the Student Government Association.  She was one of two Calhoun students nominated for the 2008 All-USA Academic Team.  Brittany volunteers in her community through participating in dramas and worship services at local churches.  Her goal is to graduate from Athens State University and eventually teach second grade students.  Her GPA is 3.8.

Coverage of this release:

• Calhoun College acknowledges its Top 10 students, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, May 11, 2008 issue, p. E9
• Calhoun honors students' effort, The Decatur Daily, Sunday, May 11, 2008 issue, p. E8

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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