Students Cayla Trotter, Darius Johnson, Jackie Zimmerman and Sebastian Henderson have been chosen as Independence Community College’s Students of the Month for October.
Cayla Trotter is a freshman at ICC, joining the college from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Trotter is pursuing her Liberal Studies degree while competing for the Pirates women’s basketball team. After accumulating straight A’s throughout high school, in addition to winning back-to-back state basketball championships, Trotter is enjoying great success early in her time at ICC. According to her English teacher, LaTonya Pinkard, “This exceptional young lady works very hard in class. She asks questions and participates in class and truly wants to understand the material to get better. This is what I admire in her.”
Darius Johnson is also a freshman at ICC hailing from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Johnson is a proud member of the Army Reserves and recently completed his basic training. Eager to earn his degree in computer science, Darius has made an immediate impact at ICC. According to his nominator, “Darius is an active participant in the classroom who is not afraid of a challenge. Not only is he conscientious in his actions, he is also someone who has an aptitude for leadership.”
Sophomore, Jackie Zimmerman is from Yates Center, Kansas. In addition to being names Student of the Month, Zimmerman was also named to the Kansas All-Academic team. Zimmerman is the fundraising chair for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. She is a work-study in the college’s chemistry department and treasurer for the Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Zimmerman hopes to serve as a park ranger or conservation officer in the future. She has been aided in her efforts by the ICC Foundation who awarded her the Griffin Family Scholarship.
Sophomore, Sebastian Henderson is from Neosho, Missouri. Henderson is the President of PTK and works in the college’s tutoring center. He is active in the college’s Jazz Band, as well as the Speech and Debate program. Henderson is recipient of the ICC Foundation’s Geckeler Scholarship. Henderson plans to transfer to a State University in 2018 where he hopes to continue his studies in a science, math, or engineering. Like Zimmerman, Henderson was also recognized as a recipient of the Kansas All-Academic team.
“Jackie and Sebastian are two of the hardest working students at ICC. Not only do they put forth their best effort ALL the time, but they do so as leaders in the campus community. Their leadership within the Beta Omega chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has allowed the organization to grow in both quantity and quality over the last two years,” said Benda Sanchez, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.
The Student of the Month Award was established by ICC faculty to recognize full-time students currently enrolled at ICC who have exhibited qualities of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
The ICC Foundation recognized the students for their hard work and accomplishments with a check for $100 each.
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