HCC student from Auburn earns top honor

Highline Community College student Wassan Singh, of Auburn, made the All-Washington Academic Team, which honors the top two students from each of the state’s 34 technical and community college for academic achievement and community servic.

Highline Community College student Wassan Singh, of Auburn, made the All-Washington Academic Team, which honors the top two students from each of the state’s 34 technical and community college for academic achievement and community service.

Joining Singh is fellow HCC student Anna Boyd, of Tukwila,

Singh and Boyd were recognized by Gov. Chris Gregoire during the March 25 awards ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.

All-Washington Academic Team members receive a $250 scholarship from KeyBank of Washington and a $500 scholarship from Northwest Education Loan Association.

Singh, 25, has successfully balanced working at Auburn Regional Hospital as a polysomnography technician while earning an associate of arts degree in nursing.

He first came to Highline to study polysomnography technology and earned his associate of applied science degree. He decided to continue his education in the nursing program and plans on pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Washington this fall.

Singh currently serves as co-president of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), HCC chapter, and will graduate as a Highline honor scholar. He credits the leader of the honors scholar program, Barbara Clinton, with his academic and personal success.

“She opened lots of doors for me and she helped me reach my potential,” Singh said.

Boyd, 17, discovered a stronger appreciation for music while earning her associate of arts degree at Highline.

She has been a strong presence in the music department, playing the violin in the string ensemble and singing in the Highline Chorale. She also is a teaching assistant in Highline’s honor scholars program where she helps students improve their personal essays for four-year school applications.

She plans on attending a four-year school with a strong music program after she graduates this spring.

The All-Washington Academic Team program is sponsored by Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and PTK.

For more information about the All-Washington Academic Team, visit www.spscc.ctc.edu/allwa.