GCC students Nikita Rossow and Alexa Yantas were named to the 2009 All-Arizona Academic team that includes the top community-college scholars in the state. Both belong to Phi Theta Kappa Society, the national community college honors organization. First, second and third teams are named, and all team members receive honors and financial awards. First-team members progress to the national competition where they compete to be named to the All-USA Academic Team and to win additional money.

Nikita Rossow, on left in photo, was named to the second team, which carried a $750 award. She attends GCC on President's and Chancellor's Scholarships and is in the Honors Program. She will graduate in May with an Associate of Arts in Recreational Tourism and a minor in General Business. She plans to complete her bachelor's degree in Recreational Tourism at the west campus of Arizona State University. She hopes to work in a recreational capacity for a city, parks program, cruise line or a similar setting some day.

Alexa Yantas, on right in photo, was named to the third team, which carried a $500 award. She was born in Peru and came to the United States when she was 12. In addition to adjusting to a new country, she had to learn English and adjust to a community very different from the one in which she grew up. She even had to adjust to the local Hispanic community, because her Peruvian language and culture were different from what existed here. Despite challenges, she has done well at GCC. She graduates from GCC in May and will transfer to ASU where her goals are a doctorate in biology and a job in environmental and/or biological research. Dr. Jennifer Lane, GCC Honors PRogram Coordinator, appears in the center of the photo.