MiraCosta College Honors 2012 Medal of Honor Recipients

MiraCosta College Honors 2012 Medal of Honor Recipients

MiraCosta College is proud to announce the recipients of the Medal of Honor for 2012. The Medal of Honor is the college’s highest academic honor, and will be presented to the students at a reception to be held May 18. The presentation will be part of the Second Annual Scholarship Awards Celebration. The event is free and open to all.

This year, Medals of Honor for Academic Excellence are awarded to 5 students nominated by the teaching faculty and who earned a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 in degree-applicable courses. Each recipient receives a scholarship of at least $500 provided by community members, businesses and service organizations. The Medal of Honor is sponsored by the MiraCosta College Foundation.

The following students will be honored at the ceremony:  

• Julia Kelly: Before attending MiraCosta College, Kelly was homeschooled and had no experience in a classroom environment. Although she was initially intimidated, Kelly has excelled at MiraCosta College and will graduate with honors in spring 2013. After graduation, Kelly plans to transfer to a four-year institution as an accounting and economics major.

• Bowen Ma: Before studying at MiraCosta College, Ma attended Dalian No. 1 Middle School in China. During her first semester at MiraCosta College, Ma had limited transportation and spent many hours on the bus to and from school. She eventually overcame her transportation difficulties and a language barrier, and plans to transfer to UCLA or UC Berkeley in the fall.

• Eric Snortum: Snortum graduated from San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas, and in fall 2009, began his studies at MiraCosta College as a math and science major. Due to the rigors of study, Snortum made a difficult decision to reduce his recreational hours, and is excited to continue his education at MiraCosta College. He enjoys the company of his fellow students and the guidance of his professors. 

• Sasha Tangherian: At age 14, Tangherian moved from London, England, to Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter dropped out of high school. At 19, he made the difficult decision to return to school. Tangherian has overcome the gap in his academics and is now the president of the Associated Student Government. After graduation he plans to transfer to UC San Diego, where he will major in human biology and ultimately graduate from medical school as an anesthesiologist. 

• Brett Webber: A graduate of the San Dieguito Academy, Webber began his studies at MiraCosta College and had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He later decided to major in agriculture and mathematics, and hopes to transfer to UC Davis in the fall. Webber is passionate about literature and jazz, and plans to spend next summer in Idaho reading, doing yoga, and playing jazz before embarking on the next chapter in his life.
  

To arrange an interview with a student, contact Cheryl Broom at (760) 795-6612. 

In photo, L-R, are: Eric Snortum, Brett Webber, Bowen Ma, Sasha Tangherian, Julia Kelly.