Phi Theta Kappa Day 2009
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TRENTON, N.J.— The New Jersey Council of County Colleges honored New Jersey's 34 best and brightest community college students and their families during its 15th annual Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Day celebration on Monday, May 11, at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Hotel.

"Each year, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges hosts this luncheon program to recognize the members of the New Jersey All-State Academic Team, sponsored by PTK, the international honor society for community colleges," said NJCCC President Dr. Lawrence Nespoli. "These students are recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and exceptional service to their communities as members of PTK at their local community colleges."

As part of the celebration, the All-State Academic Team members visited the Statehouse and met with Governor Jon S. Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt.

In addition to statewide recognition, PTK International and the Coca-Cola Foundation awarded scholarships to six outstanding New Jersey students as part of the All-USA -more- Top community college students / page two Academic Team competition. Bergen Community College student Rafael Juliano of Hackensack received a $1,500 scholarship for being named a gold medalist scholar and Raritan Valley Community College student Carly Aulicky of Gillette received a $1,000 scholarship for being named a bronze medalist scholar. Essex County College student Sebastian Medina of Bayonne, Gloucester County College student Sade van Wijk of Sewell, Mercer County Community College student David Hoyt of Princeton, and Salem Community College student Anastasia Mikhaylova of Easton, Md. each received $1,000 scholarships for being named medalist finalists.

Juliano also received a $2,000 New Century Scholarship from the Coca-Cola Foundation for being New Jersey's top community college student, awarded during the American Association of Community Colleges National Convention, in Phoenix, Ariz., from April 4 to 7. The Coca-Cola Foundation established the New Century Scholars Program in 2001 to provide additional scholarship and national recognition to the number one PTK student from each state.

The 2009 All-New Jersey Academic Team members are:

The New Jersey Phi Theta Kappa Day Celebration was sponsored by PSE&G. Also, 20 of New Jersey's four-year colleges and universities have offered over $1 million in scholarships to Phi Theta Kappa students transferring to their institutions.

Phi Theta Kappa has recognized and encouraged scholarship among community college students for 91 years while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is the state association representing New Jersey's 19 community colleges. As an independent, trustee-headed organization that joins the leadership of trustees and presidents, the Council is the voice of the community college sector before the state legislature and other branches of government. The Council is also the state coordinating organization for all community colleges in New Jersey.

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2009 All-NJ Academic Team

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