OTC students honored at MCCA state convention

Two OTC students were presented with the Missouri Community College’s Student Leadership Award last week during the MCCA convention in Kansas City.

Fran Ferguson and Christina Polosky earned the awards based both on their grade point average and their outstanding leadership qualities throughout their time at OTC. Both are members of Phi Theta Kappa.

MCCA’s Student Leadership Award is presented annually to an exceptional student leader from each of Missouri’s community colleges. Their college administrators recommend students for the award.

Ferguson, past president of the college’s Student Government Association, said she was surprised to learn that she had won the top state award.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated. I was totally shocked. College hasn’t been easy for me all of the time with working, going to class and being involved as a student leader. It’s nice to be recognized,” said Ferguson, who has a 3.735 GPA.

Polosky, life Ferguson, was not aware the award was coming.

“I was shocked and amazed and incredibly honored. I had no idea this was coming. It made the hard work worthwhile,” she said.

Ferguson, who is working in the college’s student affairs office while going to class, said she plans to attend the Walt Disney World College Program as a character and then move to Hollins University in Roanoke, Vir., next fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications. After that, she hopes to move on to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., to finish her master’s and doctorate in positive psychology and leadership studies.

“One day, I hope to be a life coach specializing primarily in leadership development, financial counseling and relationship counseling,” she said.

Polosky, who attends classes at the OTC Richwood Valley campus and has a 4.0 GPA, will graduate with an associate of arts degree in teaching and hopes to go on to Drury University to complete her education degree.

Her goal is to be a math tutor.

“I found I have this ability to explain math concepts to people really well,” Polosky said. “I enjoy it when people have an ‘ah-ha’ moment and are able to see how to figure out a math problem. It’s fun.”