The Cerritos College ASCC awards banquet for spring 2012 semester took place on May 4 in the Cerritos College Student Center.

The master of the ceremony was Daniel Machado from 2012 Spring Awards Committee.

The hall was packed with students who were formally dressed exhibiting an aura of pride in them at qualifying for the awards.

The presentation comprised of Bob Apple and ASCC Scholarship award, iFalcon Scholarship, Wayne Nunnery Facilities purchasing award, and Curricular Club award.

Additional awards included: Hoe Down Days, Outstanding Advisors, ICC Scholarships, Franstones outstanding student, and American Blood Drive.

The award winners, however, seemed motivated by different reasons for getting the awards. A few did not know why they at the ceremony, some had worked toward the award, and there was another group which simply did its work with no reward in mind but were proud that they were invited at all.

Philip Okoli, journalism major, was simply following the advice of a counselor. “I am gathering these awards because I was told it would help find a place in a university of my choice,” said Okoli, who is planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Okoli has been receiving these awards in a row for the past four years.

Usually, a “Resolution Award” is given to a student after receiving the “President’s Award” in place of a fourth “Gold Falcon Award.”

Jorge Melgarejo, undecided major, who was not sure if he was in for an award, but thought he was invited for a reason, said, after all, it could be a surprise-award.

Among those students who were aware that they would qualify by virtue of the individual tasks they had completed rather than a motive, was Eugenia Delgado, child development major.

“ It’s not about getting the awards, it’s about giving back and being part of Cerritos College,” said Delgado, who had received awards twice before and was present at the ceremony for the third one.

Kimberly Batson, fine arts major, was called for the award ceremony simply for participating in the artist society without taking a lead role. Her job was to bring awareness to the artist society, and this was her first award.

Many found their activities that led to these awards, time consuming, although not difficult. Camille Mireles, double major in business marketing, and English literature, received a service and leadership award. She has been in the student-senate this semester as student-center liaison. She said that the tasks were not difficult but it did take a good part of her time.

Among those who have been regularly attending this ceremony year after year, were former president of Cerritos College Dr. Wilfred Michael and his wife, Jean.

“We have coming to these student affairs since the time I was a superintendent of Cerritos College, and the awards ceremony is an excellent example of what students can do,” said Michael.

Some students who were at the event explained the personal reasons that led to their achievement. Grace Kim, English major, had to write a 500 word essay, but the reason why she wrote the essay is even more interesting.

“In specific, I won the scholarship award, only because I was writing from my heart; people want to know who you are,” Kim said.

The majority of the students who attended the ceremony, however, had one thing in common. That was sheer dedication to whatever task they were committed to.

Raquel Ramirez, homecoming queen said, “ I am expecting to get one of the Falcons awards because I have been extremely active this semester and the past.” She has been the Falcons events coordinator doing a lot of fund raising including arranging interclub tournaments.