Norma Broussard — Broussard, a Mesquite resident who currently attends Brookhaven College and has a 4.0 grade point average, plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing after she completes her associate degree at BHC. Her ultimate goal is to work in emergency or critical care medicine and then to work in oncology in her later years. She is a service officer and five-star member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honorary for community college students; Broussard served as a delegate to PTK’s international convention, held in Nashville, Tenn., this spring. She has been named to the National Dean’s List; was nominated as a PTK Distinguished Chapter Officer in 2006-2007 at the international level; and, as a PTK chapter member, has adopted Winn Park under Keep America Beautiful Inc. for weekly park cleanups. 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. She holds a 4.0 GPA and currently serves as co-president of the Student Nurse Association at El Centro. She also is participating in the care of a terminally ill patient 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. The BHC student, who works for Star Concessions as a conference center coordinator, has a 3.7 GPA. Camarena, who considers herself an outgoing and outspoken person, challenged herself in high school by taking 10 Pre-AP or AP courses; attending leadership conferences, including one sponsored by TXU; and taking honors history. She was a member of the National Honor Society and also was varsity cheerleading captain and Cheerleader of the Year.
Pamela Juarez — Juarez, a resident of Carrollton, will study criminal justice at Brookhaven College in fall 2007. She graduated from R.L. Turner High School in May with a 4.0 GPA. The new 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; she came to the United States at age 11 with her parents. As a student at R.L. Turner High school, Juarez was a member and president of Hispanic Leadership for Women; a member of the National Honor Society and a participant in several of the organization’s projects, including mentoring for freshmen; and a member of both the Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (a mathematics honorary). In high school, she also served as a teacher’s assistant; a tutor; and a volunteer at the Metrocrest Service Center, for KERA-TV pledge drives and for Texas Recycling Day.
Aisha Khan — Mesquite resident Khan will start her higher education career at Eastfield College, where she plans to major 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. The 2007 graduate of Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School earned a 3.53 GPA and currently is employed as a teacher’s assistant and administrator at Sylvan Learning Center. At Poteet High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society; served as a staff reporter for the student newspaper; was a scholastic team member for the 2005-2006 Academic Decathlon; was listed on the school’s Honor Roll; and also was involved in the Help Our Planet Earth Club, Science Club, Art Club, Book Club and Student Council. Khan has volunteered for other community activities, including the Mesquite Waterford Retirement Center, Mesquite North Branch Public Library, Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign, the MEPA Bazaar (on its cleanup crew), Poteet High School Homecoming and others.
Young Hoon Lim — An Addison resident, Lim attends Brookhaven College part time and works as a student assistant on campus. He has earned a 4.0 GPA and plans to become a doctor, helping vulnerable people in Africa. He was listed on the President’s Honor Roll at BHC and was named Honor Student for the fall 2006 semester; he also is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honorary for community college students, and the Korean Culture Club. A pre-med major, Lim was president of his senior class in high school. His community service includes volunteering for the Salvation Army; serving as a mathematics tutor at T.C. Marsh Middle School; volunteering for the BHC Disability Program; providing instructional support as a student assistant and proctor for the college’s EXCEL program; and serving as a personal tutor for fellow students in history and mathematics.
Amelia Priddy — Priddy, a resident of Mesquite, is pursuing an associate degree in nursing at El Centro College, where she holds a 3.59 GPA. Her career plans include working in labor and delivery and eventually earning a master’s degree in nursing. Priddy is employed at Pediatricians of Dallas as a certified medical assistant; she also is a dance instructor, Eucharistic minister and mentor. She is a member of ECC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honorary for community college students; was named to the President’s Honor Roll; and has been included on the National Dean’s List. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society; was enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Program; and was involved with drill team, tutoring and mentoring activities. Priddy also has taught ESL classes at her church to its Spanish-speaking members.
Perla Sanchez — Dallas resident Sanchez attends Brookhaven College, where she is pursuing a degree in biology. She has a 3.83 GPA and, after she finishes her associate degree at BHC, 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 become a doctor. Sanchez hopes to open her own medical clinic and give back to her community. The BHC student graduated from Skyline High School in 2003, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, LULAC and the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (serving as company commander during her junior year, as well as commander of the Skyline JROTC Color Guard). She also was named Skyline Raider of the Year (for leadership) and Miss JROTC Queen. Sanchez is a participant in the DCCCD Rising Star program and a volunteer at both Methodist Hospital (in the emergency room, working with children and the sick) and Walnut Elementary School (as a tutor).
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