Wallace State was well represented at the All-Alabama Academic Team banquet. Pictured are, from left, Wallace State interim Dean of Students Jennifer Hill, students Taylor Urech and Challie Johnson and Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.
PRATTVILLE – Wallace State students Challie Johnson and Taylor Urech were recognized recently at the Alabama Academic Team Scholars banquet held at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Prattville.
The All-Alabama Academic Team recognition program was founded in 1995 to complement the All-USA Academic Team Program sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the American Association of Community Colleges. The All-Alabama Academic Team Foundation conducts the annual banquet in association with the ACCS and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Johnson maintains a 4.0 GPA at Wallace State and plans to transfer to UNA to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Johnson, who lives in Massey, is a business major and hopes to own her own business one day.
“This has been a huge honor. I was excited to have the chance, and it’s been very special to be a part of,” said Johnson, a sophomore. “I’ve loved every minute of my time at Wallace State. It’s been awesome.”
Johnson is very active on Wallace State’s campus, serving as the Phi Theta Kappa President, and is also a member of the Rotaract Club, the Mane Issue newspaper staff, Campus Ministries and Sigma Kappa Delta. She was named the 2018 Wallace State Homecoming Queen in January.
Urech, a sophomore from Cullman, currently maintains a 3.8 GPA as a Dental Assisting major at Wallace State. After graduation next month, Urech plans to transfer to the University of Alabama, where she’ll pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in general business. She ultimately wants to enroll in dental school.
“This is an awesome honor. It definitely motivates me as I look forward to continuing my education,” Urech said. “It makes me feel capable of becoming a dentist one day and accomplishing big goals.”
Urech, a 2016 graduate of Good Hope High School, is a member of Wallace State’s Sigma Kappa Delta and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies and is an active volunteer with Daystar Church.
In addition to Johnson and Urech, attending the banquet from Wallace State were President Dr. Vicki Karolewics; Lisa German, Dean of Health Sciences; Jennifer Hill, Interim Dean of Students and Tonda Carter, an Academic Advisor.
Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker and respective college administrators presented medallions to student recipients from each college.
“It is a great honor to recognize these 46 outstanding students from our community colleges across the state for their commitment to excellence and their service to their communities,” Chancellor Baker said. “The individuals selected for the All-Alabama Academic Team represent our state’s best and brightest and I’m truly optimistic for our state’s future with students like these at the helm.”
The All-USA and All-Alabama Academic Team recognition is open to all eligible students. Students interested in applying submit applications to their local community college’s Phi Theta Kappa nominator. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and be enrolled in a minimum of six semester credit hours. Each nominator reviews the applications and submits nominations for consideration for the All-USA Academic Team. Applications are scored and two individuals from each Alabama community college are selected for the All-Alabama Academic Team.
In total more than $64,000 in scholarships was awarded to the recognized students. For those students intending to transfer to a four-year, in-state institution, 14 Alabama colleges and universities also provide additional scholarships for All-Alabama Academic Team members.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
