FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2010

Top Row L-R: Dena Hebert, South Louisiana Community College; Nikkia James, LTC Teche Area campus; Reyna Florek, LSU-E, Vanessa Guilbeau, LSU-E; Josh Byrd, LTC Northwest campus; Barry Calahan, Louisiana Delta Community College; Evan Cleland, LTC Sullivan campus; Jean-Pierre Malbrough, Delgado Community College; Leigh Arvie, LTC Baton Rouge campus; Nisha Hebert, River Parishes Community College; Melissa Rocher, Nunez Community College; Katherine Rockett, Louisiana Delta Community College. Front Row L-R: Gina Rider, Bossier Parish Community College; Stephanie Thompson, L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College; Tabitha Malone, LTC Delta-Ouachita campus; Melony Bouchie, LTC Alexandria campus; Khephra White, Delgado Community College; Sarah Frances Callahan, Baton Rouge Community College; Ashley Aquino, Sowela Technical Community College.

BATON ROUGE -- Today, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) along with Phi Theta Kappa International hosted a luncheon and recognition ceremony honoring the All Louisiana Academic Team. Twenty deserving community and technical college students were recognized this year for academic achievement and scholastic excellence. The students' had grade point averages ranging from 3.5 to 4.0, with majors crossing a wide spectrum from animal science/pre-veterinary medicine to industrial instrumentation, to elementary education, and many others.

"Today we not only recognize 20 outstanding students for their academic achievement, commitment and perseverance, but we also recognize the future of Louisiana," said LCTCS President Dr. Joe D. May. "These students represent the future workforce and leaders of our state. They have committed themselves to their academic career and they represent the top of the class at their respective institutions. We are so pleased to give them the recognition that they deserve, and look forward to watching their continued growth and success."

The All State Team is a program started by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA Today. The program serves as a means of recognizing excellence and high academic achievement in students attending community and technical colleges, as well as providing opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Independent judges review the students' applications and select the team members. The students are recognized by the awarding of medallions, certificates and scholarships. On an annual basis, the LCTCS hosts the All Academic Team Ceremony to recognize the students selected for the team.

Students were presented their medallions of achievement by local legislators. The legislators included Representative Regina Ashford Barrow, Senator Sharon Weston Broome, Representative Jean Doerge, Senator Gerald Long, and Representative M.J. Mert Smiley. Commissioner of Higher Education Sally Clausen also attended and addressed the students with a message of inspiration and congratulations.

The ceremony was sponsored by Pearson Custom Solutions Group, an international media company that specializes in education and customizes courses and content. Dan Bartell, Vice President of Pearson was in attendance at the event to assist in recognizing the committed students.

"These high-achieving students represent Louisiana's future. We congratulate these students and look forward to our continued partnership with LCTCSe to increase access to educational and workforce opportunities, helping even more students to realize their goals," said Kirk Bodick, Pearson Vice President of Higher Education Institutional Sales - Eastern Region..

The community and technical college students named to All Louisiana Academic Team include:

Ashley Aquino attends Sowela Technical Community College where she has a 3.4 GPA and is majoring in Commercial Art. She is a Senator in the Student Government Association. She recently won an Addy design award for the 2009-2010 catalog covered she designed for Sowela. In her spare time she enjoys volleyball and activities with her church youth group. Ashley is originally from Santa Paula, Ca.

Leigh Arvie attends Louisiana Technical College, Baton Rouge Campus where she has a 3.98 GPA and is majoring in Practical Nursing. Her ultimate career goal is to become a registered nurse. She believes education is the direct pathway to knowledge and success. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and singing. Leigh's hometown is from Baton Rouge.

Melony Bouchie attends Louisiana Technical College, Alexandria Campus where she has a 3.3 GPA and is majoring in Accounting Technology. She is president of the Student Government Association and president of the IAAP Student Chapter. She served as a scrapbook committee chairperson from the LaPine Chapter of IAAP. She has also served on the Security Committee and the Safety Committee at LTC Alexandria campus. She received the Excellence in Action award from IAAP for 2008-2009, the SGA Honor award and the IAAP award. Melony's hometown is Pineville.

Josh Byrd attends Louisiana Technical College, Northwest Campus where he has a 3.87 GPA and is majoring in Industrial Instrumentation. His activities include serving as a little league soccer coach. He has also made the Honor Roll on numerous occasions. Byrd plans to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi. Josh's hometown is Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Barry C. Calahan attends Louisiana Delta Community College where he has a 3.8 GPA and is majoring in Liberal Arts. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy after 20 years of service and has also received four good conduct medals. He has made the Dean's List on numerous occasions. Calahan plans to transfer to Grambling State University or the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Barry's hometown is Jonesboro.

Sarah Frances Callahan attends Baton Rouge Community College where she has a 3.8 GPA and is majoring in Animal Science. She frequently works with the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society, Habitat for Humanity and East Baton Rouge Animal Control. She received the Chancellors Award in 2009. She has also participated in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professors Program. She is a Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Research Scholars Nominee and a New Century Scholar Nominee. Callahan plans to transfer to Louisiana State University. Sarah is originally from Tazewell County, Virginia.

Evan Kyle Cleland attends Louisiana Technical College, Sullivan Campus where he has a 3.35 GPA and is majoring in Nursing. His ultimate career goal is to be an emergency room physician. In his spare time he enjoys playing tennis. He is also a member of Chapel of the Cross United Methodist Church. Cleland plans to transfer to William Carey College. Evan is originally from Columbia, Mississippi.

Reyna Florek attends Louisiana State University - Eunice where she has a 3.5 GPA and is majoring in Nursing. She is president of Phi Theta Kappa at LSUE. She is the Upper Class Representative for the Student Nurses Association and has been named Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for 2009. She received the University Student Leadership Award from 2004 - 2009. Florek plans to transfer to Tulane University. Reyna's hometown is Lafayette.

Valerie Gaspard attends Louisiana Technical College, River Parishes Campus where she has a 3.9 GPA and is majoring in Accounting and Office Systems Technology. She is chief senator of the Student Government Association for 2010. She has served in the Thanksgiving Food Drive 2009 and on the SGA Toys for Tots Committee in 2009. She served as the LTC Reserve Campus tour guide from 2009 - 2010. Valerie's hometown is Morgan City.

Vanessa Guilbeau attends Louisiana State University - Eunice where she has a 4.0 GPA and is majoring in Nursing. She is vice president of Phi Theta Kappa at LSUE. She is the Lower Class Representative for the Student Nurses Association and has been named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for 2009. She received the University Woman of Excellence Award in 2009. Guilbeau plans to transfer to LSU Health Sciences Center. Vanessa's hometown is Rayne.

Dena Hebert attends South Louisiana Community College where she has a 3.98 GPA and is majoring in General Studies with a concentration in Liberal Arts. She is Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa at SLCC. She is Editor of PANGEA, the SLCC Magazine. She received a faculty/staff scholarship in 2009 and was also named to the Dean's List that same year. She has also been named to the Chancellor's List. Hebert plans to transfer to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dena's hometown is Broussard.

Nisha Hebert attends River Parishes Community College where she has a 3.95 GPA and is majoring in Elementary Education. She has been a part of the student recycling project at RPCC, the Braveheart Charity at RPCC and the 2009 Service Learning Project in Emergency Preparedness. She has been named to the Chancellor's and Dean's List and is a RPCC Foundation Scholarship Recipient. Hebert plans to transfer to Southeastern Louisiana University. Nisha's hometown is French Settlement, Mississippi.

Nikkia James attends Louisiana Technical College, Teche Area Campus where she has a 3.8 GPA and is majoring in Care and Development of Young Children. She is president of SkillsUSA State and treasurer of the Student Government Association. She received a SkillsUSA medal in the competition Preschool Teaching Assistant. James plans to transfer to Northwestern University. Nikkia's hometown is St. Martinville.

Jean-Pierre Malbrough attends Delgado Community College where he has a 3.7 GPA and is majoring in General Science. Malbrough is educational director of Delgado Community College and Quiz Bowl Team captain. He is a member of the Honors Council. He received the leadership award in 2009 and was named to the Delgado Honors Program in 2009 as well. Malbrough plans to transfer to the University of New Orleans. Jean-Pierre's hometown is Houma.

Tabitha Malone attends Louisiana Technical College, Delta-Ouachita Campus where she has a 3.8 GPA and is majoring in Office Systems Technology. She is president of the Student Government Association. Malone participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. She is also a member of the National Vocational Technical Honors Society. Tabitha is originally from New London, Ohio.

Gina Rider attends Bossier Parish Community College where she has a 3.9 GPA and is majoring in General Studies/Psychology. She is the president of Phi Theta Kappa at BPCC. She received an Academic Scholarship for 2009-2010, has made the Dean's List from 2008 - 2010 and was an Athena Award Nominee in 2000. She tutors elementary math students in her spare time and also volunteers for student life at BPCC. Rider plans to transfer to Louisiana Tech University. Gina's hometown is Bossier City.

Melissa Rocher attends Nunez Community College where she has a 3.5 GPA and is majoring in Business Administration. She is president of the Student Government Association and Secretary of Gamma Beta Phi. She has been named to the Dean's List. Rocher plans to transfer to Columbia Southern University. Melissa's hometown is Chalmette.

Katherine E. Rockett attends Louisiana Delta Community College where she has a 3.9 GPA and is majoring in Care and Development of Young Children. Her numerous activities include the Linda Lavender School of Dance, Twin City Ballet Company, assistant teaching at River Oaks Elementary, basketball, piano, masterworks choir, dance teacher at Huntington Center for the Arts, volunteer work at Alphafest and volunteer work at the Auburn Ave. Presbyterian Church. She has also been named to Chancellor's List. Rockett plans to transfer to Louisiana Tech University. Katherine's hometown is Jackson, Mississippi.

Stephanie Thompson attends L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College where she has a 3.6 GPA and is majoring in Drafting and Design Technology. She is vice president of the Student Government Association and a member of the American Drafting and Design Association. Stephanie's hometown is Houma.

Khephra C. White attends Delgado Community College where she has a 3.9 GPA and is majoring in Theatre-Communications. White is president of the Delgado Theatre Club, treasurer of Sigma Chi Eta and managing editor of the Delgado Dolphin Newspaper. She received the Delgado Honors Council Award for Excellence in Leadership and the Honors Program Award. She enjoys theatre, dance, writing, violin/viola, drawing and photography. White plans to transfer to the Loyola University. Khephra's hometown is New Orleans.

To view photos from the event in our photo gallery, click here.

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Louisiana's Workforce Solution: The Louisiana Community and Technical College System enrolls more than 60,000 students at its institutions throughout the state. Providing a Day One Guarantee, our colleges strive to direct the high demand, industry-sensitive training our State needs. We focus on workforce and economic development, and on improving the quality of life of Louisiana’s citizens through educational programs offered at our 50 campus locations. Our System colleges include: Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Delgado Community College, L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College, Louisiana Delta Community College, Nunez Community College, River Parishes Community College, South Louisiana Community College, SOWELA Technical Community College, and the Louisiana Technical College, with campuses in eight regions throughout the state.