According to a release, NOVA students Trevor Andrew Maco and India Mazzaro have been named as Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholars and Phillip Alexander LeMaster was named a Coca-Cola Community College Bronze Scholar.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Gold Scholar receives a $1,500 scholarship and Bronze Scholars are awarded $1,000,” stated a release.
“These students are wonderful representatives of our student body,” NOVA President Scott Ralls said. “They were selected based on academic achievements, leadership, and engagement in college and community service. I applaud India, Trevor and Phillip and wish them well as they continue their academic and personal journeys.”
Maco, 20, completed dual enrollment NOVA courses during his senior year at Dominion High School and entered NOVA with six English college credits and credit for Advanced Placement U.S. History. He has been heavily involved in student life and extracurricular activities at NOVA, serving as vice president of his campus Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter, vice president of the Business Club, treasurer for the campus UNICEF chapter, Honors Program member, two-year representative on the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council, and treasurer for the campus LGBT club.
“It feels astounding to receive this national recognition,” Maco said. “I couldn’t have accomplished this without my support team, including my family, Phi Theta Kappa advisors, instructors, peers and all those I serve with in leadership capacities. I am very blessed to have obtained this scholarship and I am excited to put it to good use in the fall.”
Maco has earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average at NOVA and will graduate in May 2017 with an associate degree in engineering. He plans to continue his studies at Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins University or Virginia Tech to pursue a double major in electrical engineering and mathematics with a minor in computer science.
Mazzaro, 19, said she’s honored to receive this award. “I have worked hard throughout my educational career so it just goes to show that hard work pays off,” she said.
When Mazzaro graduated from Westfield High School in 2015, she was awarded a NOVA Honors Program Scholarship which provides $10,000 to attend NOVA.
“I was unsure about attending NOVA and the Honors Scholarship persuaded me to come and I am so happy I did. I got so many experiences at NOVA that I would not have experienced as a freshman at a four-year school,” she said.
Mazzaro maintained a 4.0 grade point average while participating in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She started NOVA with 35 Advanced Placement credits and will graduate in May 2017 with an associate degree in liberal arts with an international studies specialization. She plans to transfer to either the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech to pursue a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs with a minor in Arabic.
LeMaster, 20, served as president of his campus Phi Theta Kappa chapter, president of the Computer Science and IT Club, and vice president and co-founder of the Chess Association. He is pursuing an associate degree in computer science at NOVA with a 4.0 grade point average and plans to transfer to Harvard College to continue his studies in computer science.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor,” LeMaster said. “Thank you to everyone who has aided me on my journey thus far. This is only the beginning.”
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program. Student scholars receive local, state and national recognition at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, being held April 6-8, in Nashville.
The Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. High-achieving students are nominated for the award by campus administrators and an independent team of judges reviews the applications to determine scholarship recipients.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said J. Mark Davis, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”
