Pictured above with SPC President Carl M. Kuttler Jr., the 2009 Apollo Award finalists include Margaret Beck, Melinda Thackrah, Colin Del Degan and Gezime Ismaili.
Melinda Thackrah was named the 2009 Apollo Award winner at the college’s 109th commencement ceremony on May 9. The award, given each year since 1966, is the highest honor an SPC associate degree recipient can achieve. Presented by the St. Petersburg College Alumni Association, winners are chosen for their leadership, scholastic standing, community service, honors and awards. Read Melinda's bio and watch her acceptance speech.
The four finalists for 2009, in alphabetical order, are:
Margaret Beck
St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
Margaret Beck is graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average. She has served as both Vice President and Legislative Representative for the Student Government Association at her campus and was voted “Best of the Best” Legislative Representative in 2006-08. Beck is a member of Phi Theta Kappa – Eta Nu, SPC Honors College and SPC Medical Club, and has served as SPC Student Republican Association President since 2006. She has presented topics in 2008 and 2009 at SPC Honors College conferences, 2008 Florida Collegiate Honors Council Conference and 2009 Southern Regional Honors Council Conference. She was named St. Petersburg/Gibbs Honors College Student of the Year in 2007-08, named to the Servant Leader Hall of Fame in 2006-07 and named to the SPC President’s Honor List from 2006-present. In addition to her academic excellence, Beck also has found time to volunteer for the SPC Relay for Life, St. Vincent de Paul blanket/food drives and the All-Children’s Hospital Telethon. She volunteers with the SPC Natural Sciences/Student Activities Department, Bayfront Medical Center Admitting Department and the Pinellas County Republican Party. Beck intends to pursue a medical career and become a surgeon.
"Involvement with student organizations has honed my leadership and communication skills, tools that I will continue to utilize in every facet of my community, and I am eager to continue this after graduation. These tools, combined with the genuine interest professors have taken in my academic success, have convinced me there are truly no limits on my future education."
Colin Del Degan
Seminole Campus
Colin Del Degan is graduating with a 3.92 grade-point average. As a membership team leader at his campus’ Phi Theta Kappa chapter, he takes the lead role in planning membership ceremonies for new recruits. These planning skills, along with his membership in the college’s Democrat and Republican Club, allowed him to set up relations with campaign headquarters during the recent election, offering members of the club an opportunity to volunteer as well. Staying active politically, Del Degan has debated in SPC’s Great Debate, served as proctor for SPC’s Mock Election and attended Congressman Bill Young’s RNC watching party. He has participated in fundraisers for the benefit of hurricane victims, volunteered for book collection in his campus’ Better World Books Drive, and participated in Relay for Life 2008 and Field of Screams through Phi Theta Kappa. He is a member of the President’s Honor List and a recipient of the 2008 Derby Lane Scholarship. Del Degan hopes to earn a degree in accounting and become a CPA. He would like to eventually open his own accounting firm, specializing in tax law.
"Now that my journey for my A.A. degree is finally coming to a close, I can truly reflect on how beneficial SPC has been to my personal development. It has been an amazing ride."
Gezime Ismaili
Clearwater Campus
Gezime Ismaili is graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average. She is President of Phi Theta Kappa, Treasurer of the High Achievers Club and is an SPC Student Ambassador. Ismaili has been named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, the 2009 All-Florida Academic Team and the President’s Honor List for three terms. She also has received the Chevrons and Bars award, as well as the Track and Field varsity award from 2007–09. She has spent time outside of the classroom volunteering at the Dr. Mack J. Williams Awards and Habitat for Humanity, and has given more than 120 volunteer tutor hours in accounting and statistics. Ismaili is an Early College student, participating in college and high school activities simultaneously. As a high school student, she has served as the Library Committee President, Track Team captain, Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Multicultural Leader and as a member of the Principal’s Leadership Council and the National Honor Society. Ismaili hopes to pursue a career in executive health care management.
"Growing up in Kosovo during wartime influenced my perception of education and the American dream. My SPC experience equipped me to seek opportunities in reaching my potential, to persevere through the struggle of pursing goals and to view the world in a different way."
Melinda Thackrah
Clearwater Campus
Melinda Thackrah is graduating with a 3.96 grade point average. Thackrah was named the 2008 Honors College Scholar of the Year and was nominated for Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Junior Colleges in 2008 and 2009. She was the 2008 recipient of the Vilma Zalupski “Continuing the Dream Scholarship” award. Thackrah organized and led “Election 2008,” an Honors College fundraiser, to raise awareness of diverse party viewpoints and the importance of the right to vote during last year’s election. She has been a presenter at college, state and regional levels of Honors Council Research conferences in 2008 and was the student coordinator for the Second Annual St. Petersburg College Honors College Research Conference. An active member of Phi Theta Kappa, she participated in the organization’s “Tau Zeta Street Clean-up” last November. She also has worked as a volunteer bell ringer for the Salvation Army and volunteers for Revolutions Dance Company, a non-for-profit organization that teaches the physically impaired to dance. Thackrah hopes to pursue a doctorate and return to St. Petersburg College as an academic librarian.
"Part of a leadership role demands setting an example for others to follow and I think that I have succeeded in that through campus activities and my volunteer work."
Return to Apollo Award page.
