Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Coca-Cola reward students’ hard work
Yesterday, during an awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda honored the 158 Florida College System students who were named to the All-Florida Academic Team. Fifteen of those students also earned scholarships ranging in value from $1,000 to $7,500 for demonstrating academic excellence, workforce readiness and a commitment to community service.
Commissioner Richard Corcoran said, “The Florida College System is recognized as a national model for preparing students for life and the workforce, so it is no surprise that 158 of our colleges’ students were selected as recipients of these distinguished awards. I am pleased to congratulate these students and to thank Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Coca-Cola for investing in our students’ and their future careers.”
Chancellor Kathy Hebda said, “I am thrilled to recognize these students who represent the very best in our colleges. Because of their determination to achieve academic excellence and their passion to serve others, these students are role models in their families and communities and examples for all of us. I am proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the colleges that have helped ready them for great opportunities in career and life.”
Listed below are Florida college students who are being recognized with national scholarships through Phi Theta Kappa.
All-USA Community College Academic Team: Alejandro Garcia, Miami Dade College
Alejandro Garcia has the unique distinction of being selected as both a member of the 2019 All-USA Academic Team and the 2019 Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar for Florida, a result of having the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in the State of Florida. As a member of the All-USA Academic Team he is one of only 20 others in the United States. He is one of only 100 students recognized across the United States as a Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. Garcia was also selected as one of only 10 Hites Transfer Scholarship recipients, receiving $7,500, Phi Theta Kappa’s most prestigious and largest scholarship for students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and who are transferring full-time to institutions in the fall term. Combined, Alejandro received $14,750 in scholarship awards.
Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Scholar Team: Emily Wixtrom, Northwest Florida State College
The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship recognizes the achievements of workforce-ready students and provides scholarships to complete their associate degrees, obtain the necessary certifications, and purchase the tools or other trade-specific items needed to enter the workforce. Fifty students from across the nation will be recognized. Emily Wixtrom is currently pursuing nursing and will receive a $1,250 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa.
Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team
A Coca-Cola Community Academic Team is selected annually by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation to recognize outstanding leadership, service to the community and academic excellence. Gold scholars are awarded with a $1,500 scholarship, silver scholars receive a $1,250 scholarship and bronze scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Gold Scholars
- Citlali Gutierrez, Chipola College
- Ansleigh Walters, Chipola College
- Annie Edwards, Florida College
- Levi Scheller Hillsborough Community College
- Zachary Lambert, Northwest Florida State College
- Natalia Alvarez Collazo, Seminole State College
- Jane Lozada Foster, Seminole State College
Silver Scholars
- Claudette Goico-Montes De Oca, Broward College
- Victoria Ilesanmi, Hillsborough Community College
- Maria Samboni, Miami Dade College
- Joseph Culbreath Palm Beach State College
Bronze Scholars
- Rachael Hobbs, Palm Beach State College
- Kisha Whitehust, Keiser University
Today’s award ceremony is sponsored in part by the Florida College System Foundation and the Florida Lottery, providing more than $34 billion to education and sending more than 808,000 students to college.
For more information about the Florida College System, visit floridacollegesystem.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
