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2005 The Hartford Courant Company TOP STUDENTS MAKE TEAMBYLINE: MELISSA PIONZIO; Courant Staff Writer Before she could sit through a college course or even begin to understand the intricacies of American culture, Chinese native Hai Zhu had to learn the language of her adopted country. Four years later, 23-year-old Zhu converses eagerly in English and is a proud student of Capital Community College. ``The professors are so great and so nice and the students, they help each other,'' said Zhu, a liberal arts major who will graduate from the college in Hartford this spring and continue her education at the University of Connecticut. Zhu was among 16 Connecticut community college students named to this year's All-Connecticut Academic Team, an honor that recognizes their scholarly achievements, leadership accomplishments and community service activities. The students, who were nominated by a faculty members from their colleges, were honored Thursday during an All-Connecticut Academic Team Awards ceremony at the state Capitol. The 16 students also represented the state in the All-USA Academic Team Competition and each plans to attend a four-year college or university in the fall. ``I think she really exemplifies a true community college student,'' said Peggy Schuyler, an English as a Second Language associate professor at Capital who nominated Zhu. ``At community colleges, the idea is to give everyone the chance for an education regardless of their socio-economic background.'' In addition to Zhu, the students honored were
Zazzarro DeCarish of Capital;
Cynthia Brown of Asnuntuck Community Collegeq in Enfield; Alina Probierz
of
Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport; Holly June Jacobs and
Steven Schmidt
of Manchester Community College; Lori Luschenat of Middlesex Community
College
in Middletown; Maria Lang and Grant Ossendryver of Naugatuck Valley
Community ``There are 46,000 community college students,'' Herzog said during his speech Thursday, ``You really are the best of the best.'' Like many of the honorees, Glastonbury resident Steven Schmidt didn't go to college right after high school. But after a few years of working as a computer technician at a local manufacturing company, he realized that a college degree would help him to advance in his field, he said. ``I chose a community college because of the cost and I felt the quality of education would be the same,'' said Schmidt. ``I also liked the size and have more access to the professors.'' When he got to college however, Schmidt was diagnosed with cancer and had to put off his plans for a while. Today, the 35-year-old is cancer free and when he graduates from Manchester Community College this year, he plans to study psychology at Trinity College in Hartford. ``When I was sick, I received a lot of support from people,'' said Schmidt, who was also named an All-USA Academic Team member. ``I realized I needed to get involved with something where I could help other people, not just fix their computer.''
Anson C. Smith |
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