LANSDOWNE, Va. – Aljon Celis, a student at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, is one of 50 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship will provide Celis with up to $40,000 a year to complete his bachelor’s degree.
He is the second Wallace State student to receive this award, which represents a pinnacle achievement for a community college student in America. Chelsea Allen, who graduated from Wallace State in 2008, was the college’s first winner.
“We are overjoyed for Aljon. He is an incredibly deserving student, with a superior intellect and a servant’s heart. I could not be prouder of his achievement,” said Dr. Vicki Karolewics, President of Wallace State.
Celis in so many ways personifies the American Dream, and the community college promise. He is an example of what is possible when a talented student takes full advantage of the opportunities presented for intellectual, personal and professional growth, and applies himself toward a well-defined goal.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar,” Celis said. “I’m a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines and a first-generation student, so the idea of thinking big and working hard became important for me in order to achieve the American Dream. This honor gave me more of a push I need to continue to build momentum. I can’t wait to continue my education after Wallace State.”
Celis, a nontraditional student and general studies major, has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his tenure at Wallace State. In addition to his academic success, he has served as a peer tutor in the Wallace State Tutoring Lab, where he assists students with course work in English, American Literature and Business Calculus. He was elected President of Sigma Kappa Delta, the National Honors English Society, and serves as Vice President of the Wallace State Writing Club. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honors Society; Mu Alpha Theta, the National Mathematics Honors Society; and the inaugural Wallace Leads student leadership group. And he was instrumental in revitalizing Wallace State’s International Club, which is engaged in promoting international opportunities and increasing dialogue about the importance of cultural diversity.
“For first-generation students like me, we have to figure things out on our own when it comes to higher education because there was never anyone to ask for help. But I got the help I needed from my professors, advisors, and other staff members once arriving at Wallace. They helped me flourish in my educational pursuits,” Celis said.
“I wouldn’t be here without God’s blessings, the support from my friends and family, and the wonderful people at Wallace. I’m very thankful—and I can’t stress that enough.”
Celis is already an accomplished, agented creative writer, who was recently awarded the Sigma Kappa Delta National Prize for Short Fiction. In his spare time, he mentors, serves as a critique partner, and promotes other writers, especially authors of color and those of marginalized backgrounds.
He has received acceptance to at least one Ivy League institution and is awaiting other offers as he decides where he will transfer.
“We know this is a very uncertain time for many students and their families. We remain deeply committed to supporting high-achieving community college students to ensure they have the resources to reach their full academic potential,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are excited to welcome this new class of Cooke Transfer Scholars to our community and looking forward to seeing the many amazing things they do as they continue on their transfer journey.”
In addition to financial support, new Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising from the Foundation to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of over 2,700 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni.
Nearly 1,500 students from 311 community colleges applied for the 2020 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, leadership, and service to others. The recipients selected represent 17 different states and plan to enroll at the nation’s most selective colleges.
Celis, the only winner from Alabama, resides in Vinemont with his mother Jovelyn McDonald, stepfather Larry Drake, Sr. and four younger siblings.
A list of the 2020 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including the community colleges and states they represent, can be found at www.jkcf.org/our-stories/2020-cooke-transfer-scholars.
Learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship at www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship or sign up to receive an email alert at www.jkcf.org/notify-me when the application opens again this fall!
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $200 million in scholarships to over 2,700 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $110 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
