Press release:

Highline Community College students Jemimah Kamau and Lloyd Thomas have been named members of the 2013 All-Washington Academic Team for their academic achievement, community service and involvement on campus.

“We are proud to have Jemimah and Lloyd as Highline’s All-Washington Scholars this year,” said HCC President, Dr. Jack Bermingham. “They both overcame extraordinary challenges to gain access to higher education, making their academic achievements even more remarkable. Their outstanding success both inside and outside the classroom demonstrates the character and leadership that merit national recognition.”

Kamau, Thomas and other top scholars from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges were recognized today during the awards ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.

KeyBank honored each team member with a $500 scholarship. Kamau also received a $1,000 scholarship from the Washington Trustee Association of Community and Technical Colleges at the event.

Jemimah Kamau, 27, of Kenya began her college education in Nairobi and Paris before enrolling at HCC as a pre-law student. As a child she witnessed many social injustices that sparked her passion to become an attorney and give a voice to silenced communities in her country.

She is a Phi Theta Kappa member, Vice-President’s scholar, and the recipient of the Ruth Reilly merit-based scholarship and International Student Programs Leadership scholarship.

Kamau maintains a 3.88 GPA while juggling many leadership positions on campus including serving as the editor of Mosaic (the international student newspaper), a student coordinator for the Inter-Cultural Center and a mentor at the Writing Center.

Lloyd Thomas, 25, is pursuing his associate degree in computer information systems. He holds a 3.73 GPA and is a Phi Theta Kappa member and Vice-President’s scholar.

Thomas immigrated to the United States from Liberia in 2010 after enduring incredible hardships and personal loss during the country’s civil war. He fled from the violence of the war, walking distances of more than 50 miles and hiding in forests for safety. After 14 years, Thomas was able to seek refuge in Ghana where he graduated high school as the valedictorian.

He is the founder of the African Student Union at HCC and a member of the MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) program. Thomas plans to continue his education next year at a four-year university and ultimately obtain his doctorate.

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 Phi Theta Kappa.

For more information, visit www.spscc.ctc.edu/allwa.