Central Arizona College Students Earn All-Arizona Academic Honors
By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
Five of Central Arizona College’s outstanding students have been selected to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society All-Arizona Academic Team.
All-Arizona students demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends beyond the classroom to benefit society. Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges, the Arizona Board of Regents and the Follett Higher Education Group help these students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers to any of Arizona’s three state universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University or the University of Arizona.
Jayden Riedel (Superstition Mountain Campus) received a $750 scholarship as a Second Team scholar. Arcelia Avechuco-Lopez (Aravaipa Campus), Sylvester Howard III (San Tan Campus), Michaela Korges (Signal Peak Campus), and Kelly Myszewski (Maricopa Campus) were named Third Team members and each was granted a $500 scholarship.
The awards were announced during the All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony held at the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, AZ on Wed., February 27, 2019.
Nathaniel Bush, a CAC graduate and 2015 First Team Scholar was the keynote speaker and spoke about transformation. Bush graduated with honors from CAC in 2015. His dedication to his collegiate pursuits, fellow students and Phi Theta Kappa membership contributed to his being named to the All-Arizona Academic Team, recognition as a Silver Scholar through the Coca-Cola Foundation and earning a Hites Transfer Scholarship. A full-time student at Arizona State University, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and is on track to be awarded a Master of Social Work this May, achieving this milestone while working full-time as a primary therapist at a Fountain Hills Recovery Center and interning 16 hours weekly. Nathaniel credits his experiences at Central Arizona College for teaching him to love education and awakening a boundless potential that he did not know existed, empowering him with self-confidence and teaching him how to smile.
Jayden Riedel (Superstition Mountain Campus) – Second Team
Riedel plans to transfer to The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. His goal is to work with an environmentally friendly company that strives to create environmentally friendly fuel, resolve the effects of pollution or design alternative means of powering the world’s grid. He serves as Vice President of Student Government, member of the National Leadership Society, member of the STEM program and is a Phi Theta Kappa officer.
Arcelia Avechuco-Lopez (Aravaipa Campus) – Third Team
Avechuco-Lopez will major in communications at the University of Arizona. Her career goal is to create her own traveling tour for various artists. She is a Student Government officer, Phi Theta Kappa officer and received the 2018 Saddle Notes book scholarship.
Sylvester Howard III (San Tan Campus) – Third Team
Howard seeks to obtain a master’s degree in sports business from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. His career goal is to start his own sports academy for young athletes. He is a United Food Bank and Welcome to America volunteer, a Phi Theta Kappa Officer, and serves as an Assistant Basketball Coach.
Michaela Korges (Signal Peak Campus) – Third Team
Korges is a student leadership and Phi Theta Kappa officer, is a food shelf volunteer, and is involved in Venturing. She will transfer to Northern Arizona University to earn a Bachelor of Humanities degree and plans to further her education at the University of Arizona to receive a master’s degree in Library Science.
Kelly Myszewski (Maricopa Campus) – Third Team
Myszewski will transfer to Arizona State University School of Nutrition and Health Promotion to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science (Dietetics). She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling. Her career goal is to become a Registered Dietitian to assist others in disease management and health maintenance. In addition to being an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, she has been a SEEDs Program Peer Advocate, NATN Mentor, and MDS Wellness Committee volunteer.