Contact: Debra Dennis
214-378-1851;
ddennis@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Aug. 1, 2016
(DALLAS) — Ten students from the Dallas County Community College District — all highly motivated team workers who want to make the world a better place — have been awarded academic scholarships because they are tops in scholastic honors and community service. The 2016-2017 Muse Scholarship celebrates the leadership potential, deep work ethic and academic success shown by students who are being honored as Muse Scholars for the coming year.
Seven new students will receive the prestigious award, along with three returning scholarship recipients. These high-achieving students have exhibited grit, motivation, a fierce determination to complete their studies and a desire to serve others.
This year’s recipients are:
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Ivette Ramirez Gutierrez of Irving, El Centro College, nursing major;
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Graciela Martinez of Dallas, Brookhaven College, business and engineering major;
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Malick Olayitan of Dallas, Brookhaven College, engineering major;
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Ancelmo Parada of Richardson, Richland College, engineering or veterinary major;
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Estrella Perez of Carrollton, Brookhaven College, physics/mathematics major;
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Estefany Prieto of Dallas, Mountain View College, nursing major; and
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Asweena Tuladhar of Carrollton, Brookhaven College, computer science major.
DCCCD Muse Scholarship Program Supports Leaders
The DCCCD Muse Scholarship program pays full college costs, including tuition, books, and laboratory and supply fees. The scholarship covers up to six consecutive semesters, and the program is open to new high school graduates as well as students who are currently enrolled at one of DCCCD’s colleges.
“Determination and potential are key characteristics we look for in our Muse Scholars,” said Pyeper Wilkins, executive director of the DCCCD Foundation. “Each recipient exhibits those characteristics, and we are excited to have them as students at DCCCD. They are future leaders, and we hope to help them reach their educational and professional goals.”
To be selected, students must volunteer for at least 20 hours of community service each semester, and they are required to write an essay. A team of judges reviews each application.
A Program That Started in the Winds of Disaster
The Muse Scholarship program was created and funded by longtime DCCCD Foundation supporters Lyn and John Muse of Dallas. The couple began funding the program in 2005 following the Hurricane Katrina disaster that disrupted lives and sent families scrambling for new beginnings.
“John and I are continually rewarded as a result of our involvement in the journeys of our hard-working, bright Muse Scholars at DCCCD. These students will go on to enrich their lives as they find their voices and position in society,” Lyn Muse said.
“They are determined, inspired and focused — not only on their own pursuits but also in where and how they will position themselves with the knowledge they gain as DCCCD students,” she added. “As community servants, these scholars have demonstrated their commitment to excellence and to making the world a better place. They are role models. We are honored to serve as benefactors.”
Recipients and Their Stories (New 2016-2017 DCCCD Muse Scholars)
Ivette Ramirez Gutierrez — Ivette Ramirez Gutierrez will attend El Centro College and major in nursing. She graduated from Irving High School in June with a 3.9 grade point average. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Gay-Straight Alliance and Health Occupations Students of America. She also was a member of the high school band and the school’s recycling club. “My dream career goal is to earn my Ph.D. in science and try for my master’s in 3-D art,” Gutierrez said. “I want to continue to learn beyond my field.” Her volunteer experience includes tutoring other students and working with the Love of Kids Christmas Party, where she helped with carnival games. Her biology teacher, Anne Lantey, called her “an amazing student and a great asset to our school. She is a natural leader.”
Graciela Martinez — Graciela Martinez is a business and engineering major at Brookhaven College. She is entering her first year in college and already knows the business side of a nonprofit. As a student at Hillcrest High School, she collected canned goods for the North Texas Food Bank, helping to collect about $4,000. Martinez also ran a recycling project at Hillcrest, where she graduated in May with a 3.4 GPA. Martinez also tutored her peers and served as a member of the Student Council. During her junior year, she was elected class vice president. When she finishes college, Martinez wants to establish her own construction company and hire her own workforce. “As America continues to thrive, construction does the job and provides needed employment along the way,” Martinez said. In addition to her work on the Student Council, she decorated the ballroom for her school’s Homecoming and served as co-editor of the yearbook.
Malick Olayitan — Malick Olayitan is an engineering major at Brookhaven College, where he has worked as an assistant in the computer lab. A native of Togo, he ultimately would like to return to Africa and build a company that provides medical services. He has seen people die in pain and agony because there was no medical engineer to fix medical devices, if the machines were available at all. His business would consist of selling medical devices like the centrifuge, a device used for purifying biological products; a spectrophotometer, a device that measures the intensity of light; and a glucose sensor, which uses tiny electrodes inserted under the skin to measure glucose levels. “This is a noble and lofty goal,” said Anahita Sidhwa, a physics professor at Brookhaven. “It is noteworthy that he has his future mapped out.” Olayitan is also a STEM Institute Scholar, which is a highly competitive and coveted position at Brookhaven. As a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Scholar, last year he worked with Sharyland Utilities, a Texas-based company.
Ancelmo Parada — Ancelmo Parada has yet to decide on a major but is clear about continuing his sports career in soccer. Parada is considering a career in environmental engineering or veterinary medicine. A graduate of Richardson High School, he will attend Richland College in the fall. Parada was active in the National Honor Society and played on the soccer team, where he served as team captain. He also volunteered at Richardson’s animal shelter and was a member of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). “Ancelmo is not your boastful student. He is humble, modest, intelligent, trustworthy and disciplined,” said Elizabeth Brown, a teacher at Richardson High School and its AVID coordinator.
Estrella Perez — Estrella Perez of Carrollton has long had a love for mathematics and physics. She currently is enrolled at Brookhaven College, where she hopes to graduate with an associate degree. A STEM student, she plans to transfer to the University of North Texas to complete her studies. Her goal is to become a science and mathematics professor. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a national academic honor society, and also has worked with Sharyland Utilities. She is a member of the International Club, STEM Club and Brookhaven College Ambassadors. She has volunteered with the North Texas Food Bank, the Earth Day Fair and Martin Luther King Service Days. Perez also participated in Brookhaven’s Tree Campus USA Tree Planting initiative in honor of Arbor Day. “Helping others has always been a passion of mine. Ten years from now, I see myself somewhere in the world making a difference in the lives of students like me,” she said.
Estefany Prieto — Estefany Prieto is a nursing major at Mountain View College, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. While in high school, she volunteered at Methodist Medical Center, where she worked the information desk, outpatient services and the emergency department. She has accumulated more than 300 hours of community service. “Estefany has proven to be a servant leader within our community by not only serving as a volunteer at our hospital, but also by achieving a Presidential Bronze Award,” said Shannon Critchlow, volunteer coordinator for Methodist Medical Center. “Estefany’s patient and caring demeanor make her an asset to any team.” Estefany is an active member of the STEM Honors Learning Community. She also assists other students with their studies and has written articles for the newsletter “STEM-ing Hot News.”
Asweena Tuladhar — Asweena Tuladhar, a Carrollton resident, will return to Brookhaven College in fall 2016, where she has been active in DCCCD’s STEM Institute and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Her goal is to earn a degree in computer science and to encourage girls to consider STEM careers. She is a tutor in the school’s mathematics laboratory and serves as a mentor for high school students. She also keeps the school’s food pantry going, officials said. Asweena is a past winner of the Brookhaven Faculty Association Scholarship and the Marie K. Razkow Service Learning Scholarship. She has volunteered at the Brookhaven Food Pantry, Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center and International Conversation Partners. “Asweena is a diligent student who is focused on learning,” said Brookhaven history professor Jennifer Hudson Allen. “I can confidently state that she is present to learn in the classroom, cares about her fellow classmates and is excited about her future.”
Returning Muse Scholarship recipients for 2016-2017 are:
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Kelsey Booker of Garland, digital film major, Richland College;
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Andres Lesmes of Dallas, business major, Mountain View College; and
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Ania Villegas of Dallas, psychology major, El Centro College.
For more information, contact Kathye Hammontree in the DCCCD Foundation at
khammontree@dcccd.edu or at 214-378-1536.
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