Two of them plan to become elementary school teachers. One has her sights set on a career in physical therapy. One seeks to help members of the Deaf community overcome challenges. And all of them are active volunteers.
Last week, Cochise College sophomores Denise Corella, Lydia Ebner, Elizabeth Stokes and Kimberly Swift received scholarships from the Arizona Board of Regents that will help them take a significant step toward achieving their goals. They are among 61 community college students from across the state who earned full tuition waivers to complete bachelor’s degrees at one of Arizona’s public universities.
The scholarships are part of the All-Arizona Academic Team program that aims to point the best and brightest community college students toward enrollment at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. Since the program began in the 1990s, it has awarded approximately 700 full-ride scholarships to Arizona community college students.
The students received the waivers and were honored Thursday, Feb. 18 at a special luncheon at Mesa Community College, where they joined with family, friends, and community college representatives to celebrate their achievements.
Students nominated to the teams are evaluated for academic performance and service to the college and the community. The nominations are reviewed first by business, civic, education and government leaders and then judged a second time by representatives of various federal agencies and education associations. They are ranked and placed accordingly on first, second and third academic teams.
Swift was named to the All-Arizona First Team, Corella and Stokes to the second team, and Ebner to the third team. In addition to the tuition waiver, each also received a cash scholarship from the Cochise College Foundation in the amount of $1,000 for first-team members, $750 for second-team members, and $500 for third-team members.
Kimberly Swift
Swift is the reigning Miss Sierra Vista and an elementary education major and honors student. She is the co-creator of Reading Rocks, a community children’s reading circle that includes family reading and arts and crafts. Swift has served as an officer in Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Cochise College Cineaste Circle and has presented at the annual honors colloquium, a showcase of honors projects. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona South.
Denise Corella
Corella, of Douglas, is pursuing studies that will lead to a career in physical therapy. She is vice president of the Student Government Association and has served as president of the AvanZando Z Club. She volunteers with Douglas Little League and the community food bank. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona.
Elizabeth Stokes
Stokes, of Sierra Vista, is pursuing her interests in history, English and American Sign Language and hopes to become a teacher for the Deaf. She works as a tutor in the college Writing Lab, has been active with Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Social Concerns Club, served as the student representative on the Honors Committee, and volunteered her interpretation services. Stokes plans to transfer to the University of Arizona.
Lydia Ebner
Ebner, of Pirtleville, is studying elementary education at the Douglas Campus. She is secretary of the Social Concerns Club and president of the campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. In addition, she is the advisor of the public library puppeteer group, and she has volunteered with the American Legion Auxiliary Arizona Girls State and as a fourth-grade classroom volunteer. She plans to transfer to Arizona State University.
Each of the recipients will graduate from Cochise College this year. In addition to the tuition waivers and scholarships, honorees received a certificate and commemorative medallion. The No. 1-ranked Arizona student also is expected to receive a New Century Scholar award and a $2,000 stipend from the Coca-Cola Foundation. All-Arizona team honorees automatically compete for the All-USA Academic Teams, which will be announced in April in the USA TODAY newspaper. The national competition is co-sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA TODAY.