FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Two current students and two recent graduates from Northampton Community College have been selected for the All-PA Academic Team, an honor that recognizes high academic excellence among students attending community colleges. They are Salvatore Lapadula of East Stroudsburg, Jessica Loew of Stroudsburg, Candy Martinez of Bangor, and Marlene Williamson of Nazareth. The award is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. The honorees were also nominated for the All-USA Academic Team. All-PA Academic Team members are eligible for a special tuition scholarship to any of the 14 state system universities.

The NCC winners, along with student award winners from community colleges throughout the state, their family members, college presidents, and other college officials attended an awards banquet held April 10 in Hershey.

Lapadula will graduate from NCC in May 2006 with an associate degree in education. He will pursue a dual bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education at East Stroudsburg University in the fall. Lapadula was honorably discharged after serving twenty-two years with the Army National Guard with the rank of sergeant. At NCC he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Lapadula volunteers his time as an assistant soccer coach. He is also an annual participant of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser, which he does in memory of his late wife.

Loew graduated from NCC in December 2005 with an associate degree in general studies. At NCC, Loew was a consistent member of the Dean’s List and a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Christian Fellowship Club. She was awarded the Roger and Ruth Dunning scholarship in 2005 for her outstanding academic achievement. Her work for The Salvation Army Church was the start to her career goal of working in the Christian ministry field. She has volunteered as an assistant leader for the church’s Kids Club, worked as a camp counselor and assistant village leader at Camp Ladore, and served as an assistant leader and assistant chaplain for the church’s Girl Guards.

Martinez graduated from NCC in December 2005 with an associate degree in education and a 4.0 GPA. Currently, Martinez attends East Stroudsburg University where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education. She would eventually like to work as an elementary school teacher. At NCC, Martinez served as president of Phi Theta Kappa and as the student representative on the committee to review the general education core outcomes. She was a two-time Craig Kennedy Scholarship recipient for her outstanding academic achievement and leadership. She also earned the AmeriCorps Education Award for participating in the Pennsylvania Scholars in Service program. She has volunteered more than 450 hours in 2005 alone as a reading tutor to children through the America Reads/America Counts program. Martinez also volunteers her time as a summer reading tutor and by participating in the children’s story hour at the Bangor Public Library. Currently Martinez works for the Bangor Area School District as a Title 1 Secretary for the Five Points Elementary School.

Williamson is currently studying criminal justice and will graduate from NCC in May 2006 with an associate degree in applied science. Her career goal is to become a probation officer. To pursue her bachelor’s degree in sociology, she will continue her education at East Stroudsburg University. Williamson is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Criminal Justice Club, and a volunteer for United Way. In addition, Williamson has participated in four relief trips to Kosovo, helping to distribute basic supplies, including shoes. She works full-time as a Payless ShoeSource store manager and was awarded Regional Manager of the Year.

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