Triton College Celebrates Excellence: Five Scholars Program Students Honored
RIVER GROVE, Ill. – Triton College Scholars Program students Lavonia Black, Eliska
Horakova,
Alexandra Mercado, Jana Milicevic and Emily Urueta-Hernandez were recognized for their
academic achievements during the Triton College Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday,
May
20.
“This group accomplished so much,” said Dr. Michael Flaherty, director of Triton’s
Scholars
Program. “Besides having a full class load, these students participated in extracurricular
activities and volunteer work and will transfer to amazing four-year universities.
They’re such
an impressive group.”Lavonia Black of Maywood said the program’s resources helped
her prepare for her future,
adding that Dr. Flaherty was always kind and understanding.
“Triton is a great steppingstone,” said Black, who is waiting admission to Howard
University,
where she plans to study political science. Her long-term goal is to become an attorney.
Eliska Horakova of Norridge will attend University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) this
fall to study
nursing. Horakova received a full-ride scholarship for her first semester.
“I liked that the Scholars Program offered a lot of humanities classes,” said Horakova.
“I loved
the Shakespearean classes. There’s so much value in community colleges.”
North Riverside resident Alexandra Mercado will attend Loyola University Chicago to
study
environmental science. Mercado received a $30,000 scholarship from Loyola.
“I liked the wide range of classes at Triton, especially the liberal arts classes,”
said Mercado.
“There were so many opportunities for us.”
Jana Milicevic of Riverside also plans to attend Loyola University Chicago, where
she will study
healthcare administration. Like Mercado, Milicevic received a $30,000 scholarship.
“Dr. Flaherty was so helpful,” she said. “Triton eases the financial burden that college
puts on
students. We have a strong community and social network that allows us to branch out
after
graduation.”Franklin Park resident Emily Urueta-Hernandez was drawn to the Scholars
Program for its focus
on service learning, particularly volunteering throughout the Chicago area. Urueta-Hernandez
received a $20,000 scholarship from University of Illinois Champagin (U of I) but
is currently
awaiting a decision from Georgetown University.
“I will miss Triton because I was so involved on campus, including Phi Theta Kappa
(PTK) and
Model Illinois Government (MIG),” said Urueta-Hernandez.
Dr. Flaherty noted that each of these students have shown resilience and drive in
their
academic achievements.
“I appreciate the support of the Board and President Moore for giving this program
public
recognition,” he said.
The Triton College Scholars Program is a two-year program for academically talented
students.
Students selected for the program generally transfer to a four-year college or university
following Triton.
For more information, please contact michaelflaherty@triton.edu or (708) 456-0300,
Ext. 3250.
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