GCC students Matthew Kish and Ashley Martone were among 18 outstanding students honored Friday, April 28, at the State Capitol during the annual All-Connecticut Academic Team awards ceremony. Although Matthew Kish has already earned a bachelor’s degree in Music, he returned to school in 2015 and attends full-time at Gateway Community College while working part-time at a nursing home, and tutoring chemistry. He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. His goal is to attend medical school to earn an M.D. and become a physician. Kish volunteers at the Hospital of St. Raphael and works as a lab assistant in the psychology department at the West Haven VA Hospital. Motivated by his interest in science and medicine, he hopes his career will be one that helps people.

“In my pursuit of this goal though, I have also developed a deep interest in physics,” Kish said. “I would like to enter into a physics program during the interim between finishing classes at Gateway and entering medical school.”

Ashley Martone attends GCC full-time and works with adults with autism. After high school, she spent several years traveling before coming home to Connecticut. 

“Traveling was fun," she said, "but places don't make a person happy or complete. Who you are and who you surround yourself with make a place feel like home.” Martone says that she values her education more than she could have ever imagined, and considers herself a lifelong learner. Also a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Martone plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology toward a career promoting human rights, public health, and awareness on a global scale.

The All-Connecticut Academic Team recognizes the outstanding scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in Connecticut’s community, technical and junior colleges. Student who were selected for the 2017 state team also represented the State of Connecticut in the All-USA Academic Team Competition and the Coca-Cola Scholars Competition.

“I am so proud of Ashley and Matthew, and the other award recipients, for their hard work and success,” Dorsey Kendrick, president of Gateway Community College, said. “They set an extraordinary example of what is possible when hard work, determination and caring motivate you to become your best self.”

The All-Connecticut Academic Team recognizes the outstanding scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in Connecticut’s Community, Technical and Junior Colleges. Each institution was asked to nominate two individuals to the state team. The 18 students chosen for the state team this year also represented the State of Connecticut in the All-USA Academic Team Competition and the Coca-Cola Scholars Competition. The competition is sponsored by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents, Phi Theta Kappa and Northwestern Connecticut Community College.