Six students selected for All-Virginia Academic Team Top 10

Six Tidewater Community College students have been recognized for two prestigious awards: All-Virginia Academic Team Top Ten and a 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar – one of 50 winners in the nation.

Hannah Berk received double honors as the Gold Scholar and a member of the All-Virginia Academic team. Sheila Palmer, Ashley Berkman, Shay Fizer, Michael August and Novella Harrison are TCC’s other All-Virginia Academic Team winners.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing up to $237,500 in scholarships annually. Gold Scholars receive a $1,500 scholarship, a medallion and recognition in “USA Today.”

Students recognized on the All-Virginia Academic Team have to be nominated and meet certain criteria, including a grade-point average of at least 3.5 and outstanding achievements both in and outside of the classroom.

Norfolk’s Berk will graduate in May with a 3.9 GPA and an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts with plans to transfer to a four-year university this fall to study international relations and comparative literature. A recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Berk is recording secretary for the Norfolk Campus’ Phi Theta Kappa chapter, a literary advocate for the Reading Enriches All Children program and tutors at ForKids.

“My experiences in community college have shown me that education is empowerment,” Berk said. “A love for learning is a spark that must be shared.”

Berkman, also of Norfolk, will graduate with a 3.7 GPA and an Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design. She plans to transfer to a four-year university and ultimately work toward her master’s in media and design.

Chesapeake’s Palmer will graduate with a 3.7 GPA and an Associate of Science in Science with plans to transfer to the College of William and Mary to study pre-med.

Portsmouth’s Fizer will graduate with a 4.0 GPA and an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts with plans to attend Old Dominion University and major in veterinary medicine.

Virginia Beach’s August will graduate with a 4.0 GPA with plans to transfer to William and Mary or Virginia Commonwealth University to study philosophy and elementary education. Harrison, also of Virginia Beach, will graduate with a 3.8 GPA and an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. Ultimately, she would like to attend law school.