AVONDALE, Ariz. ?Shawn Schmuki and Joe Delgado will represent Estrella Mountain on the All-Arizona Academic Team, a state competition that recognizes the best and brightest community college students in the state. The All-Arizona Academic Team recognizes scholarly achievementsof students from junior, technical and community colleges by way of first, second and third team competitions. Student selection is based on academic achievement, activities and leadership, service to the community and work experience. Students were nominated in December by faculty members and chosen through an application process that included submitting a 500-word essay about an educational experience that transformed their lives.Shawn Schmuki, a team two scholar, is an officer with Phi Beta Kappa and member of the college's Honors Program. A biology major, Shawn plans to continue his education at Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in biology and extended pre-professional degree,upon graduating from EMCC with an associate of science degree. He is extremely active in a number of volunteer projects including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, EMCC Student Public Policy Forum and the Arizona Leadership Institute (voter awareness). Shawn's career goal is to become a dentist. Joe Delgado, a team three scholar, moonlights as a certified public safety officer with the campus, in addition to his full-time student status. The administration of justice major and son of a police officer, plans to transfer to ASU West to complete bachelor degree requirements in this field. Through his coursework, Joe was able to complete a class project that had a dramatic impact on safety for the college and surrounding community. Bothered by increasing accidents at an intersection near the college, Joe researched accident statistics and lobbied the Avondale Police Department to improve safety. As a result, a turn signal was installed at the intersection. He, too, is active in the community and member of various campus committees and the Tri-City West Boys and Girls Club Parent Action Team. As All-Arizona Academic team scholars, the two receive a four-semester tuition waiver to one of the three Arizona public universities and a $750 (second team) and $500 (third team) cash award.They will be honored, along with other Academic Team members from around the state, at a luncheon held at Mesa Community College on Feb. 10. In total, 69 students from Arizona community colleges were selected for representation on the All-Arizona Academic Team.Estrella Mountain Community College is a Maricopa Community College. Located on Thomas and Dysart Roads in Avondale, EMCC offers transfer-ready academic courses and job-specific occupational training to residents in the West Valley. Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation serving more than a quarter million students annually. For more information visit www.estrellamountain.edu or www.maricopa.edu # # #
