​The Board of Trustees recently honored five students. These students from Santa Ana College (SAC) and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) were recognized for their outstanding achievements in and out of school.

SAC sophomore, Blaysen Varnadoe pictured with Board of Trustee Zeke Hernandez, was recognized by the Board for her hard work and abilities on and off the basketball court. She was named a 2017 All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the first Don ever to receive this honor. As a student-athlete, she was named the SAC 2017 Female Scholar-Athlete of the year and was a 2017 Academic All-State selection. Her hard work in school and on the court has earned her a scholarship to California Baptist University, a NCAA Division II school, to continue her education and basketball career.

SCC sociology student, Paul Bloom pictured with Trustee Phillip E. Yarbrough, was recognized for his strong character and determination to succeed despite life’s challenges. As a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, he was honorably discharged in 2014. Diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and having ongoing health concerns, Bloom changed his major from water utility science to sociology, but not before receiving two certificates of achievement and an associate degree in water utility science. He will transfer to California State University Long Beach or Fullerton where he will major in sociology. He plans to use his major to help other veterans in their transition from military to civilian life.

SAC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members, Darliene Zepeda and Dylan Sickler pictured with Board of Trustee Clerk Arianna P. Barrios, were recognized by the Board and honored by Community College League of California for being named the 2017 PTK All-California Community College Team. Along with 93 other students, Zepeda and Stickler represent the best of the two million students enrolled in California’s community colleges. Recently accepted to Chapman, Zepeda hopes to become an elementary school librarian and an advocate for libraries in all schools. Sickler is currently pursuing his fire prevention officer degree at SAC. He has also earned the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Medal Award from the President of the United States for his extensive community volunteer service.

SAC human services student, Jason Lamb pictured above with Student Trustee Esther Chian, was recognized by the Board for his student leadership on campus and in the community. As a veteran and president of SAC’s Veterans Student Association, Lamb was the instrumental in arranging for nine student veterans to accompany President Linda Rose, Ed.D., to Sacramento to advocate for additional funding for Veteran Resource Centers in California. He has also organized community events for veterans and their families. Lamb also helps to coach youth fast pitch softball and mentors youth in the Triple Threat Mentoring group in Santa Ana.