Namedropper

National awards winners

Two Arizona Western College departments brought home national awards last month, recognizing innovative efforts to communicate the benefits of higher education in Yuma and La Paz Counties, and to keep students connected to their goals.

Members of the AWC College Publications and Marketing & Public Relations teams were honored in two categories at the 2016 National Council of Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) paragon awards, including a best in the nation (Gold Paragon).

• Gold paragon: Excellence in writing, long form: report card to the community op-ed

• Bronze paragon: Student handbook

NCMPR represents Marketing and Public Relations professionals at 2-year colleges across North America.

Local students chosen to summer programs

Two students at Gila Ridge High School have been selected to prestigious summer programs.

• Gloria Cota Aguirre, University of Arizona Health Med-Start Summer program. Med-Start is a summer academic enrichment program for any 11th grade Arizona high school student interested in a health career. Students participate in the program during the summer between their junior and senior years.

• Araceli Padilla, Arizona State University, Joaquin Bustoz Math-Science Honor program. The Joaquin Bustoz MathScience Honors program is an intense academic program that provides motivated students an outstanding opportunity to begin university mathematics and science studies before graduating high school. The program is designed to provide a successful university experience for students who are underrepresented in the mathematics and science fields and to enhance their prospects for future academic success.

“We are very excited for these two young ladies and this wonderful opportunity they have been given to get a head start for college,” said Gila Ridge counselor Sonia Rebek. “These two were chosen out of hundreds of applicants and will be a great representation of Gila Ridge and the Yuma Union High School District.”