Verde Valley News – Two of Yavapai College’s current All-Arizona Academic Team scholars have been “drafted” by a national team – the 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team.
Collin Newberry and George Smith earned Gold and Silver Coca-Cola Scholar awards, respectively, in the national competition pitting 2,200 community college students from across the country who won state-level scholarship recognition. The competition and scholarship awards are sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Collin and George are both members of the YC Chapter of PTK, both are YC Honors students and both are employed at YC — Collin as a Recruitment Ambassador and George as a Residence Hall Assistant. The pair were named to the All-Arizona Academic Team this year based on their success in the classroom and their stellar leadership and service to the college and the greater community.
“Collin and George exemplify the boundless opportunities for students who start their journeys at Yavapai College,” said YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine. “They worked hard, discovered ways to enrich their college experience and invested time in projects that matter to students and to our communities. They are showing their classmates, families, friends, and the world that you can start here and go far. I am so proud and happy for them.”
The All-Arizona and Coca-Colar Academic Team scholarships Collin and George earned are dedicated to tuition-free transfers to an Arizona university.
Collin, who is studying both psychology and philosophy at YC and plans to transfer to the University of Arizona, called “monumental” to his dreams the state and national scholarships he has received. He said he is grateful to be able to continue learning about and understanding the world without financial stressors and he hopes one day to share what he learns as a professor of social sciences. He also plans to continue volunteering for causes he is passionate about – “not only enhancing my own life but ideally as many people’s lives that I might touch for the rest of my life.”
Collin is the founder and president of the YC Psychology Club, is a member and officer of the Juggling and Philosophy clubs and helped usher the college’s participation in the Teen Maze community event.
An aspiring mechanical engineer studying pre-engineering at YC’s Career and Technical Education Center, George plans to transfer to Arizona State University. He is a volunteer with the YC Food Pantry and helped organize Chalk for Change – an annual CHP project.
George described his scholarship awards as “the best help in the world” for pursuing his academic and career dreams at ASU. He said launching his dreams at YC has been key to his success. “Coming to Yavapai College is one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Living on campus has been wonderful and I can’t even count how many people have helped me get to where I am now and where I will be in the future. Yavapai College has opened up so many doors for me and I’m so grateful.”
Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.
To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu