Four Vikings represent Big Bend in All-Washington Academic Team
From left: Big Bend Community College students Adalee Bauer, Alejandra Cerna, Leslie Estrada Vera and Yuridia Juarez were recently named to the All-Washington Academic Team.
COURTESY PHOTOS/BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MOSES LAKE — Four Big Bend Community College students were recently selected to the All-Washington Academic Team, an honor that recognizes academic achievement, leadership accomplishments and community involvement.
Adalee Bauer, Alejandra Cerna, Leslie Estrada Vera and Yuridia Juarez were honored during a ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College last week, where they heard from Gov. Jay Inslee and other speakers.
Ninety-one students, representing the state’s 34 community and technical colleges, were named to the 2024 All-Washington Academic Team. The program is in its 28th year.
Bauer will be graduating with an Associate in Arts transfer degree this spring. She plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Eastern Washington University.
Cerna is a student in Big Bend’s Early Childhood Education program. She said being selected for the All-Washington Academic Team meant a lot to her as a first-generation college student.
“It validates my hard work, perseverance, and dedication to excellence, affirming I’m on the right path. This recognition honors not only my academic achievements but also underscores the significance of education within my family and community,” Cerna wrote to the committee. “It symbolizes overcoming barriers and motivates me to further contribute positively to academia and society.”
Estrada Vera will earn her Accounting Technician AAS degree this spring and plans to continue with the college’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management program.
“I am a wife and mother of three boys. They are my greatest motivation in everything I do,” Estrada Vera said. “I hope to meet my goals for a better future not only for myself, but for my family.”
Juarez is in the Dual Enrollment program at Big Bend. She plans to pursue a degree in Architecture and Interior Design.
The four BBCC scholars join dozens of other academics from around the state in being honored for their hard work and dedication to academic pursuits.
According to the All-Washington Academic Team website, the program has become a showcase for the state’s community and technical colleges. The program demonstrates a statewide commitment to scholarship and community service by students attending Washington public community and technical colleges.
The program has several sponsors that provide a variety of scholarships to those honored on the team. KeyBank provides $217 to every student while Washington State Employees Credit Union provides $750 scholarships to the top 16 team members and Washington State Association of College Trustees provides $1,000 to the top three members of the statewide team.
R. Hans Miller contributed to this report to further explain the All-Washington Academic Team’s background.