NATIONAL PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PRESS RELEASE

NPCC Announces Student of the Month and
Alumnus for April/May 2008

The April and May 2008 Students of the Month and April Alumnus of the Month of National Park Community College were introduced at the Board of Trustees’ meeting held on April 23rd at the college.

Justine Jackson, a 2002 graduate of National Park Community College, was presented the Alumnus of the Month Award by Roger Fox, chair of the Communications/Arts Division, at the college’s monthly Board of Trustees meeting on April 23. The division selected Jackson to receive the award because of her outstanding work as a student and graduate of NPCC, because of her continued pursuit of both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Henderson State University, and because of the efforts she is making to continue her educational endeavors.

Jackson came to NPCC "because it was close to my home and [was] financially the logical choice." She enrolled in 2000 to begin a course of study that would lead to an Associate of Arts degree from NPCC and “proudly graduated in 2002 … transferred to HSU [and] completed my BSE in 2003. I went on to finish my Masters in Education Degree in 2007,” Jackson said.

Faculty members in the Communications/Arts Division remember Jackson as a diligent student. Jim Castaldi, Jackson‘s Introduction to Education instructor, recalls Jackson as being “hard-working and driven.” Castaldi mentioned Jackson’s “determination” and said “there was nothing that was going to stop her once she got started.” Roger Fox, Jackson’s Composition and World Literature instructor said, “Jackson worked hard on everything she did, never wanting to settle for anything less than the best she could do. Justine is the kind of student instructors enjoy having because she was always in class, always prepared, and /always curious and participatory.”

Jackson said she “highly recommends NPCC” and that many of the teachers go above and beyond what is expected to help their students succeed. Currently, Jackson is a kindergarten teacher at Fountain Lake Primary School and the designated ESL teacher for that grade. She is President of the Fountain Lake Classroom Teachers Association and she serves on several committees: Math, ESL, ACSIP. She is also a current Fountain Lake 4–H Leader. Jackson is in the process of completing work toward passing the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. She said, “The most rewarding thing in kindergarten is seeing a student go from not knowing a thing upon entering kindergarten to being able to read and solve math problems by the end of the school year.”

Valerie Ginsburg, a sophomore at National Park Community College, was presented the Student of the Month Award for April, by Communication Arts faculty Leean Hawkins at the college’s monthly board meeting. Ms. Ginsburg was nominated as Student of the Month by Ms. Hawkins who says that she is “always happy to see Ms. Ginsburg in class because she engages in discussions and challenges other students to join in the debate.”

Ms. Ginsburg plans to continue her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in English or in Journalism. She says, “regardless of my major, the one thing I will do is write.” Ms. Nanette Crane, Ginsburg’s Creative Writing instructor says of Valerie, “she is such a positive and valuable contributor to group discussion and manuscript critiques. Valerie’s writing is ambitious and creative; she is such an asset to the college.”

Dr. Van Davis, Social Sciences Division Chair, and Martin White, Criminal Justice faulty, introduced Karla Mazander, Social Sciences Division Student of the Month for May. Mr. White said, “Ms. Mazander is worthy of this honor; she comes to class to learn and to achieve and is the most determined student I have ever taught.” He added, “Her class attendance has been excellent and she maintains a high GPA, even though she has had to overcome many personal obstacles. She is a dedicated and serious student and is interested in public service.”
Ms. Mazander will be graduating soon with a degree in Criminal Justice.