Cerritos College students earn scholarships

NORWALK - The Cerritos College Foundation awarded the Cheryl A. Epple Memorial Scholarship to two students at its board meeting March 17.The $1,000 scholarship was established in 2004 to honor the late Cerritos College trustee Cheryle Epple. The scholarship is presented to students "who are committed to service in the community." Vanessa Hernandez and Benjamin Nwakanma earned the awards this year. Hernandez, of Paramount, is a liberal arts major who has made volunteering in her community a priority. While balancing a full-time course load and two jobs, she has volunteered more than 1,000 hours at Washington Elementary School through the after-school program, Project Apple. She has also participated in renovating a home for a needy family, helped rebuild a playground, and volunteered at a free carnival for children in Bellflower. She plans on transferring to UC San Diego in the fall to pursue her bachelor's degree in communications. Nwakanma, of Bellflower, is working on his associate degree in biological science. He is active on campus, serving in student government as the assistant commissioner of financial aid and as a member of the iFalcon Club, Phi Theta Kappa and the Economics Club. He plans on transferring to USC and continuing on to medical schools to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

********** Published: April 7, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 51