LCCC students receive recognitions

Lorain County Community College students Victoria Soewarna, of Elyria, and Julie O’Brien, of Columbia Station, earned All-Ohio Academic Team honors will be honored at an awards ceremony on April 25, 2013 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

Soewarna was named to the All-Ohio Academic Team First Team. She was also named to the All-USA Academic Team – one of only 20 students in the country to receive the honor. Soewarna was recognized at a ceremony in San Francisco, Calif., on April 22.  O’Brien was named to the All-Ohio Academic Team Third Team. O’Brien and Soewarna will each receive a scholarship and a medal for their placement at the state level.

“Victoria and Julie are wonderful representatives of the students at Lorain County Community College,” said LCCC President Dr. Roy A. Church. “They are motivated individuals who are driven to better themselves and their community.”

Soewarna is researching a cure for HIV/AIDS and was a presenter at a national science conference. She is 17 and a student at Lorain County Early College High School, located on the campus of Lorain County Community College. The program allows students to simulatneously earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree.

Soewarna is the Principal Investigator for the LCCC HIV/AIDS research group that meets several times a week to research a cure for HIV/AIDS using gene mutation therapy. In addition to the research group, Soewarna stays active in LCCC organizations. She is a member of the Early College High School Leadership Club, a member of the LCCC PRIDE Club a teaching assistant for Chemistry and is a math and science tutor. Off campus, she volunteers for the Salvation Army and completed an internship at Mercy Hospital.
 

Victoria Soewarna
 

Julie O’Brien

Soewarna has a 3.9 GPA and will graduate with her high school diploma and an associate of arts degree in May. She will attend The Ohio State University in the fall to study biology.

O’Brien is deeply involved in campus life and her community. On campus, she is the vice-president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. In her role, she planned and hosted the Ohio Regional Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action Convention at LCCC in October 2012. She is also in charge of PTK’s induction ceremonies in the spring and fall.

O’Brien has been a Lorain County 4-H advisor for more than 15 years. She mentors 4-H participants and organizes events, fundraisers and activities for the group. She also volunteers at her church, Lifespring Community Church, operating the church’s café before and after each service.

She also works full-time as an office manager at a local manufacturing company. LCCC is family tradition in her home, as one daughter is a current student and her other daughter is an LCCC graduate. O’Brien has a 3.79 GPA and is on track to earn an Associate of Business degree in 2014. She plans to continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree through LCCC’s University Partnership.

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Revised: 04/23/13 20:18:23 -0700.