April 15, 2002
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494

COC Students Selected to All-California Academic Team

SANTA CLARITA ­ College of the Canyons students Nicole Bennett and Ashley Short beat out hundreds of other hopefuls across California and were selected to the 2002 Phi Theta Kappa All-California Academic Team. Bennett and Short received cash awards and were recognized during an awards ceremony at the State Capitol on April 11.

“Both of these students have worked extremely hard to earn this honor,” said College of the Canyons history professor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor Dr. Brad Reynolds.

Every community college in California is eligible to enter two students into the All-America Academic Competition. The 60 top-ranked students in the United States are named to the national team and the first 40 nominees from each state are named to that state’s team. Selection of a student is based on overall grade point average, community involvement and volunteer work performed.

Bennett traveled to Sacramento ­ Short is currently in Spain on an exchange program ­ where both students received recognition on the Senate and Assembly floors. Bennett was presented with a medallion during a special awards ceremony and luncheon.

Both Bennett and Short, each with a GPA over 3.5, donated hundreds of hours to the AmeriCorps program. Bennett also worked as a literacy tutor at local elementary schools and is currently a Liberal Studies major at Cal State Long Beach.