Stephani Calderon is pictured with Dr. Ron Clinton, NTCC Executive Vice President for Instruction.†
Stephani Calderon of Mount Pleasant recently became the second student in Northeast Texas Community College history to win the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship. This scholarship covers up to $30,000 annually at†the university of the student?s choice for a period ranging up to three years. Calderon was one of 73 international finalists to win this 2013 award.
?Stephani has an amazing energy level and smile that never disappears from her face. Her resilience, work-ethic, intellectual curiosity and leadership abilities are almost without parallel.† When she came to the country, not knowing any English, she merely wanted to catch-up with her peers,"†Professor and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Melissa Weinbrenner, said. "In her efforts to do so, she overshot the mark considerably and is an inspirational example for everyone. She is a delightful student and an effective chapter president for Phi Theta Kappa. †I am honored and humbled to have known her as well as I do and look forward to seeing her future contributions to society,"
Calderon is a†2011†graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. She is the daughter of Angelica Zuniga and Javier Calderon of Mount Pleasant. Upon graduating from NTCC in May, she plans to attend either Boston University, The Univerity of Texas at Austin, or Baylor University. She is an international business major†and hopes to become a corporate lawyer.†
"I am very excited to be a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.†I thank my family, friends and professors who have helped my throughout my educational path.†I have big plans now that I can financially ensure my position into a prestigious university. As a first generation college student, I can say this is a great award and blessing," Calderon said.†
At NTCC, Calderon presented her work on sovereign default at the 2012 National Collegiate Honors Council meeting in Boston, on local radio, and to local audiences.† This work dramatized the acceleration of the United States in recent years toward a state of bankruptcy, and illustrated what sovereign default has meant to the peoples involved in select case studies. She was also the 2013 Boe, and All-USA nominee for NTCC.† She has served as Vice President of Enactus (formerly Students In Free Enterprise), Vice President of the Honors Council, President of Phi Theta Kappa, and Treasurer of Student Government (SGA).† In one of her more notable works of public service, she†coordinated the fundraising to purchase a Wii Fit for a local women?s shelter.
Calderon was also a member of the Enactus Team from NTCC that recently won the regional Enactus Competition in Dallas.†Professor Heidi Wooten, Enactus co-sponsor and one of the three faculty members who recommended Calderon to the Jack Kent Cooke foundation, said:†?Stephani is an amazing young lady both academically and personally.† I feel honored to have had the opportunity to have her in my classes as well as work with her through our Enactus student organization.† She is intelligent, highly ambitious, and encompasses all of the attributes you hope to find in your students. †I am looking forward to watching her continued success.?
Dr. Andrew Yox, NTCC Honors Director, noted that some states are fortunate to have Jack Kent Cooke winners at four-year intervals.† NTCC has managed to have two winners since 2010, when Presidential Scholar Clara Ramirez first won that honor.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation established by Jack Kent Cooke to help exceptionally promising†students reach their full potential through education. Launched in†2000, the Foundation focuses in particular on students with financial need.
†
