We All Are So Proud Of You Simon.. Kudos!

A good friend of mine, a fellow blogger of Blogian, & a bright Armenian young man Simon Maghakyan, was awarded today for being one of 20 students named to USA TODAY's 2006 All-USA Community College Academic First Team as representatives of all outstanding community college students.

Simon Maghakyan, 19 Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colo.

Studying: Political science

GPA: 3.8

Career goal: Professor

Accomplishments: Immigrating to the USA from Armenia in 2003 and studying in his third language, he organized a Genocide and Holocaust commemoration; won scholarship to attend a graduate course in genocide and human rights at the University of Toronto; founding member, student leadership council; honor society vice president; student newspaper reporter.

USA Today's link to profile

Today, he is one of 20 students named to USA TODAY's 2006 All-USA Community College Academic First Team as representatives of all outstanding community college students. All 20 receive trophies and $2,500 cash awards this morning at the American Association of Community Colleges convention in Long Beach, Calif. Forty more are named to Second and Third Teams.

"USA TODAY is pleased to honor students who travel so many different paths to gain success at America's community colleges," USA TODAY editor Ken Paulson says. "Their impressive achievements reflect their talent and commitment, as well as the environment of opportunity on community college campuses."

First Team members were chosen from approximately 1,500 students seeking associate degrees nationwide in a two-step judging process administered by Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges. Judges consider academics, leadership and service, and how students apply their academic or intellectual skills to their schools, community or society. Simon Maghakyan was chosen to be a First Team member.

• An Armenian immigant, Simon Maghakyan didn't even know what a community college was when he moved to Littleton, Colo., in 2003 at age 16. A college adviser recommended Arapahoe Community College to help him better learn about America, and Maghakyan has not been disappointed. "Community college is a uniquely American entity, a tool of the American dream," he says.

Since he was awarded today April 24, 2006, but unfortunately won't be given time to make an acceptance speech Simon will be wearing a pin commemorating the Armenian Genocide to the ceremony.

Way to go Simon jan... BRAVO!!