Members of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society (AGS) attended the AGS State Convention April 17-19 in Ontario, California and three members were awarded scholarships.

The AGS State Convention is held during the spring semester and allows members of different honor society chapters throughout community colleges in California to come together knowing they have similar goals and values.

“The best thing about student-led organizations is that the more students have a connection, the harder it is to drop out,” club co-adviser Patricia Herrera said.

Every year, three AGS members are nominated to receive a scholarship and this year the three members who applied all received a scholarship.

There were two categories, the Service Scholarships which are the Ed Walsh Scholarship and the Charles Bell Scholarship, and the Academic Scholarships which are the Kathleen D. Loly Scholarship and Virginia Coffey Scholarship.

Two students received academic awards and one received a top service award.

Engineering major Valeria Avila received the Virginia Coffey Scholarship for having the highest scores in California.

“It was pretty exciting,” she said.

Avila said CCC was the last college to be called so she was not expecting to be one of the recipients. “Everyone was really quiet and we were the loud ones when they called us.”

Psychology major Gerald Macadangdang received the top service award which was the Charles Bell Scholarship and biology major Duy Masuno was awarded the Kathleen D. Loly Scholarship for academic excellence.

Although last year AGS lacked the proper funds to attend the state convention, this year they fundraised and used money from the club’s account to make it possible.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two years. That is why I tell others to participate,” AGS President Brenda Vega said.

During the convention there were a variety of workshops with educational purposes for students and keynote speakers that inspired and motivated.

Vega said they gathered together after listening to the speaker and bonded over the new found motivation from keynote speaker Judge of the Superior Court of California James E. Rogan.

Rogan attended UC Berkeley, which gave them a familiar sense of where he came from.

“It really humbled everyone,” Avila said.

Herrera said no matter how successful someone can become, giving back to the community is important and AGS focuses on giving back. Throughout the year club members participate in community events and stay connected.

It is Vega’s last semester at CCC and she said students should be involved in clubs not just because it looks good on a resumé, but because of the experience, skill and leadership development and connection created with those who hold similar interests.