Paducah, KY (October 11, 2016) - Virginia Blanco-Mireles, a student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, may still be deciding her future, but one thing is for sure - she knew WKCTC was where she wanted to start.Blanco-Mireles has excelled in her time at the college including a high grade point average, being member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, serving as secretary of the Hispanic Culture Club, and being a student worker in the Office of Admissions. Her dedication and passion recently earned her the title of WKCTC’s September Student of the Month
“I feel very blessed because this is my last semester here and it’s like a reward for all of my hard work," said the 21-year-old Blanco-Mireles, a native of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and a 2013 graduate of Graves County High School. “Being a student worker for the Office of Admissions is also important to me because I am helping other people begin with the process of taking a big step in their lives,” she added.
“Virginia is an all-around great student and person who is a respectable, trustworthy and mature young woman I can trust with anything,” said Sarita Faulkner, WKCTC admissions advisor. “I have never hesitated to put work in her hands, and never questioned her ability to complete it.”
As a first-generation college student, Blanco-Mireles said that she is motivated to always try her hardest at everything to make her parents proud and to motivate her siblings as well. “I feel like I can inspire them to expand themselves and go for opportunities available to them.”
Set to graduate from WKCTC with an Associate in Art degree in December, Blanco-Mireles’ future plans include transferring to Murray State University, and upon graduation, making her life and career in a big city.
Asked what she would tell others about WKCTC, Blanco-Mireles said, “choosing this college means choosing a great school where students have amazing teachers who are always willing to help. And I would tell them not to be afraid to join clubs or organizations because they may open other doors for them and their career.”
The Student of the Month program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students on campus. Individuals selected must be currently enrolled at WKCTC and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are nominated on the basis of exceptional performance, personal attributes, academic excellence and active participation in various student organizational activities.
Student of the Month recipients receive $100, a certificate of excellence, recognition on the WKCTC Facebook page, campus announcements and Web site. Recipients are also recognized by Pepsi MidAmerica and receive one free month's supply of their favorite Pepsi product.