information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College students Austin Tugade and Musa Abdi have been named to the All-Washington Academic Team, as selected by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

The All-Washington Academic Team is comprised of representatives from Washington’s community and technical colleges. Students are selected for outstanding achievement in and outside of the classroom, making positive contributions to their community.

Abdi and Tugade will join the rest of these exceptional students on March 24 where they will be honored at a ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College.

In addition to being named to the All-Washington Academic Team, Tugade was also selected as a member of the Coca-Cola Academic Team as a Bronze Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation recognizes 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars from across the country. As a Bronze Scholar, Tugade will receive an additional $1,000 scholarship and a special medallion that recognizes this achievement, courtesy of Coca-Cola.

Originally from the Philippines, Tugade spent his first three months in the U.S. as the sole source of income for his family of seven. With an entry-level position, Tugade harbored aspirations of continuing his academic journey. His dreams went into motion when he enrolled at South and today he has a 3.99 G.P.A. He plans on riding this momentum of academic success when he reaches his goal of earning a Ph.D. in Geology.

At the age of five, Abdi faced a world of uncertainty. Abdi’s father died in the Ethiopian Civil War that forced his family to move to Kenya where they settled as refugees. Living in a refugee camp for 15 years shaped Abdi’s educational path. With a 3.5 G.P.A., Abdi has his sights set on becoming a doctor to provide for his family and much-needed care in his homeland.