Students chosen for All-Arizona Academic Team
December 20, 2023Recipients earn full-tuition scholarships for bachelor’s degree programs
Yuma, AZ (December 20, 2023) – Four Arizona Western College students received nominations to the All-Arizona Academic Team as part of the All-USA Scholarship competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa.
Josett Clark, Abel Morales III, Kassandra Sicairos, and Rosaelba Soto Robles were selected for the honor based on their outstanding academic performance and record of community service.
Each year, the Arizona Board of Regents provides scholarships to exceptional Arizona community college students on the cusp of transferring to a baccalaureate program. These awards cover resident tuition for ten consecutive undergraduate semesters, or sixty credits, at one of Arizona’s public universities. In addition, the students will receive a special medallion commemorating their achievement as well as an invitation to a recognition ceremony in the spring.
Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges, sponsors the All-USA competition each year. Three rounds of judging culminate with select students earning the coveted title of All-USA.
The Sigma Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is housed at AWC alongside the Honors Program and is supervised by Professor David Kern. This year, AWC was allotted four award nominations, two for students from Yuma and La Paz County campuses, and two for students from South Yuma County campuses.
Josett Clark is set to graduate with an associate degree in Agricultural Systems Management in the Spring of 2024 and plans to transfer to the University of Arizona where she’ll continue the Agricultural Systems Management bachelor’s degree program.
“This degree, and field in general, has always caught my eye, especially with growing up here in Yuma. As the years passed, I have witnessed this city grow, including its agriculture, and I strive to be a part of it; more specifically, I’d like to get involved with the food safety aspect of locally grown produce,” said Clark.
Thanks to this scholarship, she’ll have the opportunity to pursue a career working alongside local growers to help the community and economy thrive.
“It truly feels unreal to have received an award like this one, but knowing that I put my everything into the application just proves how determined I was to get it,” Clark said. “It’s an opportunity I won’t put to waste, and with it, I’m one step closer to reaching my goal of maintaining food safety at a nationwide level.”
While at AWC, Clark has been involved with the Honors Program where she received a full-tuition scholarship to earn her associate degree. An active member of Phi Theta Kappa, she's volunteered at the group’s community service activities, such as Toys for Tots. In the community, she also volunteers at the Humane Society of Yuma, taking care of animals and helping at adoption events.
Abel Morales III will graduate from AWC in the Spring of 2024 with four associate degrees in Social Work, Psychology/Sociology, Arts, and General Studies. After graduation, he will transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and hopes to also earn his master’s degree from Arizona State University.
His decision to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist came after he suffered a back injury last year. In addition to affecting him physically, his mental health took an even harder hit. It was during that time that he became interested in helping others struggling with mental health issues.
“I'm very grateful for receiving the great honor of being a part of the All-Arizona Academic Team,” said Morales. “I come from a family that has always struggled financially, so receiving a full-ride scholarship will change the course of my life. If it wasn't for this scholarship, I would have probably not been able to continue my education and obtain my bachelor's. I'm happy about this opportunity, and I'll do my best to represent AWC in the best possible way.”
Morales was a Matador Ambassador for four years, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and has spent time volunteering at the Yuma Community Food Bank. He was recognized as the AWC Student of the Month in March of 2019 and as a student worker on campus, he was also selected as the Student Success Center Employee of the Year in 2022. He was also selected to be the recipient of the Dorothy A. Taber Scholarship from the AWC Foundation.
Kassandra Sicairos plans to graduate in May with an associate degree in Exercise, Wellness, and Nutrition. Next, she will transfer to the University of Arizona to continue her studies and earn a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to take the MCAT and apply to medical school.
“I have always felt a sense of purpose and belonging when I am helping my community grow. My attraction to healthcare stems from this, and the profound impact it has on human lives. As a healthcare professional, I will be able to relieve suffering, offer comfort, and provide care during some of life's most vulnerable moments. Being able to contribute these skills and help the betterment of individuals and communities motivates me to work hard for what I would like to become and do someday,” said Sicairos.
She shared that this scholarship will propel her forward to achieve her academic and career aspirations.
“I am extremely happy and grateful to have been nominated for this scholarship,” she said. “Receiving this scholarship will significantly ease the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies. This support will contribute greatly to my future success, and I am excited about the possibilities it opens up for me.”
Sicairos is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has also served in the Matador Ambassador program where she was recognized with the Ambassador of Excellence Award. She has also worked at Yuma Regional Medical Center as part of the patient engagement program to gain clinical exposure and give back to the community. Additionally, she was selected to participate in YRMC’s Mentor Me MD program for future healthcare professionals.
Rosaelba Soto Robles will graduate in the spring with an associate degree in Agricultural Science and an Honors Liberal Arts degree. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Plant Systems and a master’s degree in Plant Science.
With her education, Robles hopes to pursue a career in agricultural research to work with farmers and field workers to make their jobs easier by finding solutions to the daily issues they face.
“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I want to give a big thanks to David Kern and Abby Amon for pushing me to apply for this scholarship. I could not have done it without them,” she said. “I am excited to be able to continue my studies, as I want to make a difference in my community and inspire others to do the same.”
In addition to being involved with the Honors Program and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, Robles was also the secretary for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Club.
Contact:
David Kern
Professor of English and Honors Program Director
Arizona Western College
David.Kern@azwestern.edu
928-317-5881
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Caption information: Four Arizona Western College students received nominations to the All-Arizona Academic Team as part of the All-USA Scholarship competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. The students were selected for the honor based on their outstanding academic performance and record of community service. These awards cover resident tuition for ten consecutive undergraduate semesters, or sixty credits, at one of Arizona’s public universities. The selected students (pictured from left to right) include Josett Clark, Abel Morales III, Kassandra Sicairos, and Rosaelba Soto Robles.