Three CC students named to 2024 All-Washington Academic Team
They will be honored April 25 in Olympia by Gov. Jay Inslee
Centralia College has named three students to the 2024 All-Washington Academic Team. Each All-Washington Academic Team member will receive a medallion and a $217 scholarship from KeyBank. Additionally, students who choose to attend Washington State four-year colleges and universities are eligible to receive transfer scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000.
Watch the Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTaxiDZX_m4
All 92 of the state’s All-Washington Academic Team members were formally at a ceremony Thursday, April 25, at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. Governor Jay Inslee was the keynote speaker and presented the awards. He declared April 25 as All Washington Academic Team Day in the state.
In addition, CC’s representatives will be recognized at the May 9 meeting of the Centralia College Board of Trustees.
Maya Hankins, 17, of Morton, is a Running Start student who works part time in a civil construction
firm, where she discovered a passion for engineering and construction management.
In her free time, she is the chapter officer for the Mossyrock Future Farmers of America
and she volunteers with her local garden club.
She is dedicated to her neighbors and spent almost a year assisting and raising funds for an elderly neighbor who transitioned to a care facility. She plans to transfer to Central Washington University in the fall to study engineering and construction management.
At the ceremony on April 25, it was announced that Maya is the #1 ranked student in the state. She received a number of additional scholarships, including:
- $5,000 All-USA Award
- $2,250 New Century Transfer Scholar award
- $1,000 Washington State ACT (Association of College Trustees) award
- $750 WSECU Top 16 award
Van Nguyen, 48, of Centralia, immigrated from Vietnam in 2019 seeking better opportunities for
herself and her children. She enrolled at Centralia College to study business. She
will finish her associate degree in June and will start her bachelor’s degree at Centralia
College in fall.
In addition to raising children and earning her degree, she is a student worker on campus and she volunteers at Health and Hope Medical Outreach helping low-income individuals access healthcare resources. She is a first-generation college student.
Valerie Varner, 37, of Centralia, worked in the real estate industry since she was 18. The job paid
well, but it was always just a job. When she had a disabled child, her world changed
and she realized what she was meant to do. She is working towards her associate degree
and plans to become a registered nurse.
She wants to work in pediatrics and ensure children and parents receive high quality, compassionate care. She is a first-generation college student. She will complete her nursing degree this fall.
The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state's finest higher education students. To qualify for the All-Washington Academic Team, students must be part of the Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. All-Washington Academic Team members will also be ranked at a national level, with a chance to be included in the All-USA Academic Team.