Honorable Mention Winner
Kimberly Rogers
Chipola College
Sophomore in Microbiology
4.0 GPA

As a microbiology major, one would expect Chipola College sophomore Kimberly Rogers to focus solely on her academics and to disregard everything else. But Rogers, 19, concentrates just as much on the betterment of the community surrounding her as she does on her own academic performance.

“When students have the commitment to the classroom that Kimberly has, they rarely participate in extracurricular activities at school or in their community,” says Lou Cleveland, director of mathematics and science. “Kimberly is an outstanding exception to this observation.”

Rogers implemented the Adopt-a-Grandparent program in two Blountstown nursing homes. She enlisted more than 30 of her fellow Chipola classmates and local high school students to volunteer time with a local senior citizen. More than 50 “grandparents” have been adopted by matching their personalities with volunteers through surveys. The pairs meet weekly to play board games, participate in planned activities, or just talk. Rogers’ goal for this program is to provide the elderly with some companionship.

“So much focus in service is always placed on children, and rightfully so, but I felt that the elderly needed support also,” Rogers says.

In August of 2003, Rogers started to volunteer her time weekly at the McLane Community Center, mentoring and tutoring children from financially unstable homes. During a visit, a young girl told Rogers that her family simply couldn’t afford to buy her a Christmas present that year. Rogers, so touched by the little girl’s story, vowed to ensure each McLane Center child would open a Christmas gift. She recruited more than 50 volunteers to assist her and then began organizing the First Annual McLane Center Fall Festival, an event which raised more than $700 to buy gifts for children. The volunteers shopped for each personal gift and ended up giving the children three gifts each.

“The looks on all the children’s faces when they were opening their Christmas presents were completely priceless,” Rogers says.

Rogers also organized a college chapter team for the Calhoun County Relay for Life last April. After seeing her leadership skills in action, local ACS coordinators asked her to coordinate the entire 2004 Calhoun County Relay for Life event.

“As an aspiring pediatrician with a 4.0 grade point average, Kimberly excels, not only in the classroom, but in honing her talents and sharing her passion for medicine by developing programs that help young people in our area live healthier lives,” says Jody Spooner, English professor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor.

For all her excellence in service and scholarship, Rogers earned several awards, which include the Phi Theta Kappa Most Outstanding Officer Award, Chipola College Nominee for All-USA Academic Team, Chipola College Calculus I Award, and a spot on the National Dean’s List.

“Kimberly’s hopefulness and determination show everyone who works with her that what appears impossible is achievable; what is improbable is simply not yet complete,” says Spooner.

Rogers has earned several scholarships including the Chipola Valedictorian Scholarship and the Phi Theta Kappa Leaders of Promise Scholarship, which cover most of her college expenses. The remainder is paid with her two part-time jobs. –JT

Contact Rogers at berly122@hotmail.com.