The Maricopa County Community College District announced that twenty-three high-achieving students representing the system’s 10 colleges were honored on Feb. 22 during the 2023 All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony.

“On behalf of MCCCD, we are tremendously proud of these exceptional students who share an inspiring future representing a vast array of career paths,” said MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales in a press release.

“From business, journalism, and nursing to strategic leadership, engineering and technology, it is clear that our 10 community colleges cultivate innovative thinkers and compassionate citizens ready to serve their communities,” Gonzales continued.

Selection of the 2023 All-Arizona Academic Team is based on intellectual rigor by maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, being in good academic standing while working toward an associate’s degree and being involved in volunteerism and service on their college campus or in their community that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs; the American Association of Community Colleges; Arizona Community Colleges; the Arizona Board of Regents and the Follett Higher Education Group help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers for eligible students to Arizona’s three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

All-Arizona Academic Teams are judged in three rounds. First-round judges include local businesses, civic, education and government leaders. The second and third round of judging occurs in Washington, D.C., by representatives from federal agencies and national education associations.

Scores from the national competition determine each state team’s rankings. First team members each receive a $1,000 scholarship, second team members are each awarded a $750 scholarship and third team members each get a $500 scholarship from their respective community college.

According to the Arizona Board of Regents, All-Arizona Academic Team members are eligible to be selected as one of 20 named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, receiving an additional $5,000 scholarship, medallion, obelisk, and certificate during the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention scheduled April 1-4 in Denver.

This year’s Maricopa Community Colleges honorees listed by college campus are:

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

• Frida Nandayapa Guzman
• Lily Guzman
• Riley Snow
• Sabrina Young

Estrella Mountain Community College

• Ysenia Mora
• Matthew Vail

GateWay Community College

• Kayla Clancy
• Athena Easton

Glendale Community College

• Danilla Colin
• Alexander Robles

Mesa Community College

• Dalia Diaz
• Charis Hayward
• Shannon Popell

Paradise Valley Community College

• Violet Anderson
• Heather Robinson Reaume
• Wesley Winter

Phoenix College

• Zachariah Knapp
• Christine Mada

Rio Salado College

• Emma Harlow
• Martha Salter

Scottsdale Community College

• Diane Weightman

South Mountain Community College

• Fatima Abas
• Toby Tuckness