CLARK COLLEGE STUDENTS HONORED FOR VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Three Clark students have been named winners of the 2009 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE)

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Three Clark College students have been named winners of the 2009 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE). The honorees are Heather Evans, welding; Natalia Mendoza, construction technology; and Scott Shirley, welding.

Heather Evans is a full-time student in Clark’s welding program. She is currently the chair of the Clark College American Welding Society chapter, which she and another student started through the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC). She is an active member of the community and plans on returning to the classroom as a welding teacher someday.

Natalia Mendoza is a student in Clark College’s construction technology program, administered by the Clark County Skills Center. She says she enjoys hard work and is excited to work in the field of construction. She is in the last year of her degree and has maintained a 3.58 GPA.

Scott Shirley is both a welding student at Clark and an employee, working as an instructional technician in the Welding Department. He is on track to finish his associate of applied science in welding technology and says he plans to use both his technical skills and respect for students and learning to build a better life for his family.

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) program, created by the state legislature, recognizes students who excel in career and technical education. Three WAVE recipients (two from high schools/skills centers and one from community/technical colleges) are chosen from each legislative district by a selection committee.

Since its inception in 1984, more than 3,000 students have received assistance in paying their college tuition, boosting their ability to reach their personal education and career goals.

Information about the WAVE awards is available at http://www.wtb.wa.gov/WAVEWebpagenew.asp.