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Cheyenne Kankey selected AATYC Academic All-Star
Cheyenne Kankey of Viola, Arkansas has been announced as the recipient of the 2012 Academic All-Star Award at North Arkansas College. Kankey will receive a $500 scholarship to Northark and upon graduation she will be eligible for a transfer scholarship to any public four-year institution in the state.
Active on campus, Cheyenne has been a member of the Honors Program. She was also listed as a member of the Spring Dean’s List at Northark. Kankey also served as student editor for the Cave Region Review and performed in the Northark Drama presentation “Monsters, Dogs, and Squirrels Oh My!”
She is majoring in nursing. Cheyenne is enrolled in the Registered Nursing program and is working toward a master’s degree. Her long-term goals include working at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and teaching health courses in the future.
As part of the application process, Kankey was asked to write about her most meaningful college experience. She said that while she has had many meaningful experiences a class final stands out as the most meaningful.
“For our final grade, we had the option of completing a ten page paper or a twenty minute presentation with five minutes of questioning. The problem was my fear of speaking in front of people and it sometimes gets the best of me. I never feel accurately prepared. Merely thinking about standing in front of everyone got my heart rate up!’
She continued, “I was unexpectedly asked to give my presentation early. An adrenalin rush set in! I told the instructor I would do my best! I walked to the front of the class, gathered my thoughts, took a deep breath, and began my presentation. By the time I finished, the entire room was smiling at me! They even asked me questions about the subject!”
Kankey said the outcome of the situation changed her perspective on life.
“Being pushed to the front of the line without preparation, made me believe in myself. I realized I am capable of doing well without stressing out.”
To be a student leader, volunteer in the community, and excel in academics doesn’t come easy. It takes dedication and perseverance.
“College is very stressful, however I have actually learned what my teachers have presented and built a strong foundation to build upon as I continue my education,” Cheyenne said.
Michael Mahoney, speech and drama faculty member writes of Cheyenne, “She is one of the most outstanding, innovative, and flexible students I have had the privilege to work with in the classroom, theatre, community and college environment. Not only does Cheyenne set an example in class work but she always brings positive energy that is motivating to her peers.”
The Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges (AATYC) Academic All-Star Scholarship is designed to award excellence in academics and leadership. Each of the 22 public two-year colleges names one student as an “Academic All-Star.” These students maintain a cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.25 out of a possible 4.0 and have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours in pursuit of an associate degree.
All of the AATYC Academic All-Stars will be honored during the annual fall conference to be held this year in Hot Springs in October.
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