For immediate release - June 2006 

(DALLAS) – Seven high school and college students from throughout the Dallas metroplex have been named LeCroy Scholars by the Dallas County Community College District Foundation for their outstanding leadership and scholarship. The program honors DCCCD’s former chancellor, Dr. R. Jan LeCroy, who served from 1981 to 1988. Each LeCroy scholar receives up to $3,200 ($800 per semester with a maximum of four semesters) to attend any DCCCD college. The students, the colleges they will or do attend and the fields they will study are:

Five other students are returning 2005-2006 LeCroy Scholars. They are:

For more information, contact Kathye Hammontree, DCCCD Foundation, at (214) 860-2455.

Biographical Sketches

Olubolanle Afolayan  – Afolayan, a Garland resident who currently attends Eastfield College full time, plans to earn a medical degree or doctorate in medical research. Her ultimate goal is to make contributions to medical research that lead to the development of new and effective drugs that will improve the health and standard of living of others. She received the Phi Theta Kappa Texas STAR Scholarship for 2005-2006 and is one of only four EFC students participating in the STARS summer research program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas this year. She has been named to the National Dean’s List and is among EFC’s 2006 “Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Junior Colleges.” An honor roll student at Eastfield who has earned a 4.0 grade point average, Afolayan is a campus tour guide, a volunteer at her church, secretary of the EFC Science Club and a single mom who has two sons.

Carmina Becerra – Becerra, an Irving resident and senior at Nimitz High School, will attend North Lake College in fall 2006. After she earns her associate degree from NLC, Becerra plans to transfer to the University of Texas at Arlington, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in architecture. At Nimitz, she was a leading member of the Light and Life Christian Fellowship’s youth group; served as captain of the Lady Vikings soccer team; and graduated among the top 13 percent of her senior class this spring. The future NLC freshman earned several honors in high school, including the Mathematics Award for Outstanding Performance (during her junior year at Nimitz), the “academic blanket” for her high GPA, and a top award for her balsa wood bridge in physics.

Karmen Casey – Casey, who lives in Irving, attends North Lake College and plans to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts. A self-published author and mom, Karmen has earned a 4.0 GPA and has been named to the NLC President’s Honor Roll. She also has served as a student academic coach and plans to make college teaching a career when she finishes school. Described by faculty members as “creative, resourceful and solution-oriented,” Karmen also has helped pilot a “learning community” that combined studies in two courses: “Speech Communications” and “Cultural Studies: Race, Class and Gender.”

Mason Michael Marchant – Marchant, a 2006 graduate of Irving High School and an Irving resident, plans to attend Brookhaven College this fall, where he will pursue an associate degree in emergency medical services to become a paramedic. He then plans to enroll in the North Texas Training Academy and earn his firefighter’s certification. Marchant has served as vice president of community service for his high school’s Student Council; IHS mascot BIG IRV in 2005-2006; co-anchor of KIRV’s news team, 2005-2006; and a member of the varsity swimming team. Named to the honor roll all four years at IHS, Marchant graduated cum laude in the top 15 percent of his senior class; was listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” (sports edition), 2005-2006; played in his high school band; and was nominated for the USAA National English Merit Award. He also has worked as a camp counselor and a lifeguard.

Norbey Parra – Parra, a Balch Springs resident and 2006 graduate of West Mesquite High School, will attend Eastfield College this fall. Recognized for perfect attendance and listed on the “A” Honor Roll his senior year, Norbey was selected to participate in the Mesquite Independent School District’s High School Leadership Forum and in the Middle School Youth Conference as a volunteer and a leader. He also was selected to participate in the Student Recognition Program by the Mesquite Rotary Club. Parra, who earned a 3.78 GPA at WMHS, played varsity football for two years, was named “Student of the Semester,” and also assisted with his high school’s annual freshman orientation.

JoAnne Stewart – Stewart, a resident of Lewisville, currently attends North Lake College, where she is a science major. Stewart, who has earned a 3.87 GPA, plans to become a doctor. She attended The North Hills School in Las Colinas and graduated from The Academy at Irving ISD, where she played on both the volleyball and golf teams and won the “Most Spirited” plaque for her enthusiasm and leadership. JoAnne also participated in debate in high school and took part in the Model United Nations held at the University of North Texas. The NLC student, who works in the college’s Student Resource Center, plans to earn her associate degree from North Lake and transfer to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas’ allied health program, where she will earn her bachelor’s degree. Stewart would like to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honorary for two-year college students, and wants to become either a cardiovascular or plastic surgeon.

Michelle Yoby – Yoby is a resident of Highland Village and a student at North Lake College. She has earned a 4.0 GPA and works as a front office administrator for Phoenix Associates. Yoby, who plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration (with a minor in communications), hopes to own her own business one day. She is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic honorary for two-year college students; she also is vice president of the International Club at NLC and secretary of the Speech Club. Yoby has received the Dr. Linda Jean Long Scholarship, was listed on the President’s Honor Roll at North Lake and was nominated for the National Dean’s List. She also has been named a certified student leader by the National Conference of Student Leadership and serves as a volunteer for the Salvation Army and other church and community organizations.

Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478