SCC Students nominated for All-USA Academic Team

SYLVA – Southwestern Community College students Kara Vanhook of Franklin and Nathan Boike of Bryson City were recently nominated for the prestigious All-USA Academic Team, which is sponsored by USA Today, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. All community colleges are eligible to nominate two students.

Each applicant must be eligible for an associate's degree at an accredited two-year college, have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and submit a four-page application and an essay about a community college experience that transformed the way he felt about learning or his own future.

Vanhook, a Radiography major, is currently an SCC Student Ambassador, secretary of the Latent Image Club, has served on the Student Government Association and holds a 4.0 GPA. In Vanhook's essay, she explained how Southwestern's Radiography program provides a hands-on learning environment, and how this environment will allow her to work successfully within her field of study.

Boike, an Electronics Engineering Technology major, also holds a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society, SCC Electronics Club, the Nantahala Kayak Race Club and the American Whitewater Association. The premise of Boike's essay was how pursuing a college degree became a personally and academically gratifying experience.

Of the nominations received for the All-USA Academic Team, only 60 students will be selected to comprise first, second and third national teams. First-team members will receive a $2,500 cash stipend and a commemorative obelisk from USA Today. First-place winners will also be recognized at the Phi Theta Kappa President's Breakfast at the annual AACC Convention in Chicago on April 22. On that same day, all team members will be featured in USA Today.

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