State student senate president wins big bucks
Angela Greco and Kimberly Rose
Issue date: 5/27/09 Section: News
|
Young, 20, environmental engineering major, received four CSM scholarships and a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship at the May 7 Scholarship Awards Reception.
Young is the president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, and has also been CSM's student body president and the district student trustee, all while maintaining a 3.68 GPA. Young's selection is recognition of her academic achievement and contributions to community colleges at the local, district and state levels, Michael Habeeb, communications manager, wrote in an e-mail.
"Winning the Jack Kent scholarship renewed a dream of mine, because I've wanted to double major for so long," said Young.
The Jack Kent Cooke scholarship funds students up to two years, with $30,000 each academic year.
Young always knew she loved the architecture of buildings and bridges. As a high school graduation gift, Young's parents took her for an aptitude test, which measures a person's natural gifts. As they were waiting in the lobby for her results, Young said she was intrigued by the framed floor plans of the building. Not surprisingly, her top two suggestions were civil engineering and architecture.
"My mom and I just looked at each other and started laughing," said Young.
After taking Professor David Danielson's philosophy class, she realized it was also something she wanted to protect.
"Because of Danielson's class, I changed my major," she said. "I realized science affects us at a social level."
Danielson was the first person who told her she had the potential to do both engineering and philosophy.
Laura Demsetz, an engineering professor, counseled Young on what classes to take.
"(Demsetz) set me on the right path," Young said.
Now, because of her scholarship wins, Young can fulfill her plans of double majoring in environmental engineering and philosophy.
Young initially applied to three colleges -- Yale, Cornell, and CSM -- but CSM was her first choice.
Be the first to comment on this story