Classroom Excellence Recognized By State

Two students from St. Louis Community College-Wildwood recently were recognized by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) for classroom excellence.

The students were chosen to the annual MCCA/Phi Theta Kappa 2011 All-Missouri Academic teams.  Rachel Wood, of Eureka, was named to the first team and Tracy Shelmire, of Ballwin, was named to the second team. Wood and Shelmire were among the 35 students chosen from nominees of each of Missouri’s 24 Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) chapters. The 10 highest scoring students are on the All-Missouri First Team and receive a $500 scholarship. The next 10 students are named to the All-Missouri Second Team and receive a $300 scholarship. There is also a Third Team.

As an All-Missouri First Team member, Wood was eligible for a Coca Cola Scholars Foundation award. The Coca Cola Scholars Foundation honors the top 150 All-USA Team members. Wood was awarded a bronze award, and will receive a $1,000 award.

Wood began attending classes at the Wildwood campus as a home-schooled student and a high school junior. She has paid her own tuition by working at Unique Toy and Game in Ballwin. She is a student ambassador, a member of the Reformation Society and a Creative Writing Club member. She also contributes regularly  to “My Bit,” STLCC’s student blog.

Shelmire transferred from to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau in January where she will pursue a nursing degree. While at STLCC-Wildwood, she worked 40-plus hours a week as a restaurant manager, dog-watcher and baby sitter. She has given her time to causes, including Campus Crusade for Christ, the St. Louis Audubon Society and Walk for Autism. She recently was chosen to serve as a resident assistant at SEMO for the next school year.

The students were honored at a special luncheon in Jefferson City hosted by Missouri Community College Association and attended by Gov. Jay Nixon.

Since 1994, the MCCA/Phi Theta Kappa All-Missouri Academic teams recognize scholarly achievements of students enrolled in community colleges. Students must excel in the classroom; have the intellectual curiosity to pursue academic, career and cultural enrichment outside the traditional classroom; show evidence of substantial talents in academic and technical education; and demonstrate the ability to share this development with others. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year institutions.