Elizabeth Erickson — Erickson, a resident of Carrollton, is majoring in the arts at Brookhaven College, where she has been named to the dean’s list and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (an academic honorary for two-year colleges). She has completed the Youth Leadership Metrocrest program and currently serves as co-leader of a 130-member student discipleship. Erickson, who is an administrative assistant at Covenant Church and has a 3.86 grade point average, also served as a facilitator and teacher at the 10th annual DCLA National Youth Conference, which involved more than 15,000 students. She hopes eventually to become a wife and mother; to earn a master’s degree in applied arts; and to open schools of the arts, in conjunction with orphanages internationally.
Rachael Halsdorf — Halsdorf lives in Forney and attends Eastfield College, where she is majoring in mathematics. At Forney High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society; graduated on the distinguished plan; and lettered in academic performance. Halsdorf, who currently has a 3.5 GPA, has served as leader for a group of mentors for girls at First Baptist Church; was section leader for the second sopranos in the Forney High School Chorale; and was publicity officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her future plans involve earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, followed by a master’s degree in that field, and teaching algebra — as well as some photography work on the side.
Trish Harding — Harding, a Garland resident, is pursing a mathematics major at Richland College. The Garland High School graduate earned a 3.41 GPA and had the highest English average in her school; received second place in the Senior Art Show; and was named a Presidential Scholar. She earned the Junior Leadership Award from the Girl Scouts; hosted a Girl Scout camp for young girls; and was Communication Class vice president. Harding hopes eventually to earn a doctorate in mathematics so that she can teach at the college level.
Brandy Nichole Laney — Laney, who lives in Coppell, is an elementary education major at North Lake College, where she has earned a 3.7 GPA. Her high school leadership achievements include serving as a peer mediator; participating in FCCLA and serving as the organization’s president; and implementing a schoolwide STOP the Violence program. She also received a Certificate of Academic Excellence; participated in STOP the Violence training; and won second place at the state level for the STAR event competition. Laney plans to earn her teaching certificate in early childhood education and eventually to earn both master’s and doctoral degrees.
Fabiola Olvera — Dallas resident Olvera is majoring in education at Mountain View College, where she has earned a 3.4 GPA. She is a member of the Spanish honor society Sigma Delta Mu; won second place in an essay contest at Mountain View; and has earned recognition in four honors courses at MVC. Her leadership accomplishments include: serving as program coordinator for College Prep 101 at the Oak Cliff Center for Community Studies; serving as secretary, historian and president of a variety of MVC student clubs and organizations; and recruiting and mentoring many high school students who attend Mountain View College. She is pursuing an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree at MVC and then will attend the University of North Texas to complete requirements in the bilingual education program. Olvera then plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Dallas, where she will earn a bachelor’s degree in social science or interdisciplinary studies (in bilingual and mathematics education).
Crystal Pacheco — Pacheco, who lives in Irving and attends North Lake College, is pursuing a career in journalism. A client service coordinator for H&R Block, she has earned a 3.6 GPA at North Lake, where she is a member of the academic honorary Phi Theta Kappa; was listed on the Vice President’s Honor Roll; and will be inducted into the English honor society Sigma Kappa Delta. Her leadership accomplishments include: membership in the college’s Journalism Club; membership in the DFW Network of Hispanic Communicators; and publication (contributing writer) for the college’s student newspaper, the News-Register. Pacheco plans to transfer to a four-year university, where she will earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications. She also would like to serve as a role model for others in the field of media and public relations.
Alicia Rood — Coppell resident Rood attends North Lake College and is majoring in business. A recent Coppell High School graduate, Rood was enrolled in dual credit classes at both her high school and North Lake College, where she has a 4.0 GPA. She served as DECA president during her senior year and as freshman class president. She graduated in the top 10 percent of her class; was a member of the National Honor Society; and was both Student of the Month and nominee for Student of the Year. Employed at the Town Center Bank in Coppell, Rood plans to pursue a career in business management or human resources.
Vanessa Tapia — Tapia, who lives in Carrollton, attends Brookhaven College, where she is studying public policy and has a 3.91 GPA. She is a member of the academic honorary Phi Theta Kappa at Brookhaven College; was a member of the National Honor Society in high school; and was named to the President’s List in 2007. Her leadership accomplishments include serving as president of the Brookhaven College Student Government Association; receiving the 2007-2008 Amidon-Beauchamp Memorial Award (given to a Brookhaven College student Leader of the Year); and participating as an All-Star member of the Student Leadership Institute at Brookhaven College. Tapia plans to graduate with a master’s degree in public policy and begin work as a community service director. She would like eventually to run for and win a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Daniela Villegas — Irving resident Villegas, who attends El Centro College, is a nursing major with a 3.7 GPA. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society; graduated second in her class; and was a South Texas Distinguished Scholar. She maintained a high grade point average to qualify for El Centro’s nursing program and was also an award-winning cheerleader, a member of the high school concert choir and a yearbook staff member. Her leadership accomplishments include service as junior varsity and varsity head cheerleader; secretary for the concert choir; and Student Council representative (for two years). She also worked part time and was involved in community activities at her church. Villegas wants to become a nurse, share her experiences and knowledge in that field and help heal “yet another ill patient.”
DCCCD 2007-2008 Returning LeCroy Scholars
Norma Broussard — Broussard, a Mesquite resident who currently attends Brookhaven College, plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing after she completes her associate degree from BHC. Her ultimate goal, after graduation, is to work in emergency or critical care medicine and then to work in oncology in her later years. The BHC nursing major — who is also a busy wife and mother — volunteers her time at The Children’s Museum in Farmers Branch and at Eastfield College, assisting with teacher education Spanish.
Stephanie Cailloux — A Dallas resident, Cailloux studies nursing at El Centro College and plans to become a certified pediatric oncology nurse after she finishes her associate degree in nursing at ECC, where she has served as co-president of the Student Nurse Association at El Centro. She cares for terminally ill patients and contributes annually to the Kwanzaafest Health Fair. Cailloux is a full-time student at ECC.
Wendy Camarena — Dallas resident Camarena is majoring in communications at Brookhaven College and plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism after she transfers to either the University of Texas at Austin or Southern Methodist University to earn her bachelor’s degree.
Pamela Juarez — Juarez, a resident of Carrollton, began studying criminal justice at Brookhaven College in fall 2007. She graduated from R.L. Turner High School with a 4.0 GPA. The BHC student plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and then graduate from law school to become an attorney and to address issues of social injustice, including immigration issues.
Aisha Khan — Mesquite resident Khan started her higher education career at Eastfield College, where she is majoring in pharmacy. She then plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin, where she will enroll in UT’s pharmacy program. As a future pharmacist, she looks forward to treating patients and helping people.
Perla Sanchez — Dallas resident Sanchez attends Brookhaven College, where she is pursuing a degree in biology. After she finishes her associate degree at BHC, she plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Dallas in order to earn her bachelor’s degree with a double major in biology and business. Eventually, she would like to attend the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and to become a doctor. Sanchez hopes to open her own medical clinic and give back to her community.
# # #