Ellen Whitehead, McNeal
Just a month after learning she will receive a tuition waiver to complete her bachelor’s degree at one of Arizona’s public universities, Cochise College sophomore Ellen Whitehead has been named a member of the Coca-Cola 2011 Community College Academic Team.
Whitehead, a student at the Douglas Campus, was selected as a Bronze Scholar based on the score she earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition, for which she received the tuition waiver from the Arizona Board of Regents and a scholarship from the Cochise College Foundation. This new honor means the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award her with a check for $1,000 and a bronze medallion, and she will be featured, along with other Coca-Cola honorees, in the April 11 edition of USA Today.
A resident of McNeal, Whitehead is studying sociology and plans to pursue a master’s degree and become a professor at a university or community college. While attending school full time, she also serves as co-manager of her family’s ranch. She chose to attend Cochise College because it served as a stepping stone from being home schooled to a university. Whitehead plans to transfer to the University of Arizona.
Whitehead is a member of the Cochise College rodeo team and has served as treasurer of the Douglas Campus Student Government Association. She also has served as a tutor and mentor for kindergarten students at Faras Elementary School. She interned at the district office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Sierra Vista and developed an honors project and presentation about hate groups. She also plays the violin and was a member of the Cochise County Youth Orchestra.
The Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team Program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Approximately 200 students across the nation are honored annually. To qualify, applicants must have at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.