Two BBCC Students on All Washington Academic Team

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2014
Contact: Doug Sly, (509) 793-2003 

Two Big Bend Community College students have been selected to the All-Washington Academic Team, an honor that recognizes both academic achievement and community involvement.

Carson Heschle of Ephrata and Jessie Sumerau of Moses Lake were recognized as all-state scholars during a reception in Olympia on March 27.

“It is exciting to showcase before lawmakers and media some of our brightest and best students—many of whom have overcome great obstacles,” said BBCC President Terry Leas.

The two friends from Big Bend received their All Washington Team medals from Lt. Governor Brad Owen. BBCC’s All Washington students also are nominated for the All-USA Community and Junior College Academic Team.

Heschle is maintaining a 4.0 grade point average as a Running Start student as she nears earning her associate’s degree this spring. Sumerau, also a Running Start student, has a 3.88 grade point average.

Both young women are on a science track—Heschle lists her major as astrophysics and Sumerau wants to study astronomy/physics.

Both recipients serve as officers for BBCC’s award-winning Rho Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

Heschle works as a chemistry tutor, while Sumerau continues to be active in high school service clubs as she approaches graduation this spring.

Sixty-eight community and technical college students were named to the 2014 All-Washington academic team, representing 34 colleges.

The major financial sponsor of the program is KeyBank, which provided $250 scholarships to each member of the All-Washington Academic Team for the 19^th consecutive year.

The recognition program is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa—the honor society for two-year colleges.  Other sponsors include the Association of Community and Technical Colleges, the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.