BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Two Niles students are among five Lake Michigan College students selected to represent LMC in the All-USA Academic Team competition. By virtue of their nominations to compete for the All-USA Academic Team, the students also have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Michigan Academic Team. The students were honored, along with nominees from other community colleges across the state, at a ceremony in March held in Lansing, hosted by the Michigan Community College Association.

The student representing LMC were:

Caitlyn Cummins, a high school student from Niles, has attended the LMC Bertrand Crossing Campus Early College Academy for two years. By being part of the academy, she was able to complete her final two years of high school and her first two years of college simultaneously. She will graduate in May with her associate’s degree. She has been on the President’s List for one semester and on the Dean’s List for two semesters. After graduation, Cummins plans to attend Michigan State University.

Jordyn Helmuth is completing her degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and has been on the Dean’s List for three semesters. She lives in Sawyer and plans to work locally after graduation and spend time with international medical missions. An active volunteer, Helmuth has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, as a junior high and high school youth staff at camps, and participated in community service missions in Appalachia and New York City.

Jessica Hooper is a pre-nursing student and plans to enter the LMC nursing program. She currently works at Grace of Douglas, a managed nursing care and rehabilitation facility, in Douglas. Hooper has been named to the Dean’s List for three semesters.  She resides with her husband and son in Grand Junction.

Pamela Leslie of Niles is completing her major in Business Administration. She has been named to the Dean’s List for six semesters. After graduation she is moving to Oceanside, California, and will be looking for a property management position.

Zhaxi Nima is originally from China and will be receiving an Associate in Science degree in May. He plans to attend Michigan State University and pursue a degree in Bio Engineering. Nima also received a certificate of recognition from Michigan Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges in 2012. He was on the Dean’s List for five semesters.

Students are selected to complete in the All-USA Academic team based on academic achievement, community service involvement, and leadership accomplishment. The criteria are designed to find students who excel academically; demonstrate intellectual rigor in their course of study; show academic growth and potential; and use their two-year college education to better themselves, their schools, and their communities.

To be considered for nomination, students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative grade point average and intend to have a minimum of 48 semester college-level credits completed by Aug. 30. Thirty of the hours must be completed at a community college within the last five years. Candidates must also be on track to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

The All-USA Academic Team competition is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, Coca-Cola Foundation, New Century Scholars, and USA Today. It recognizes outstanding students enrolled in community and technical colleges across the nation. From the nominations received, 20 students will be selected to the national team, each receiving a $2,500 stipend. National winners were featured in USA Today.