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Tacoma Community College Names Its 2012 All-Washington Scholars

Caldoon Farrah and Donald Missel will represent the college near University Place at the All-Washington recognition March 22.

(This comes from Tacoma Community College)

Caldoon Farrah and Donald Missel have been selected as Tacoma Community College’s 2012 All-Washington Scholars. They will represent the college at the All-Washington recognition event, to be held at South Puget Sound Community College at noon on March 22.

Thanks to sponsorship from NELA and Key Bank, the event will fulfill its original purpose: to provide two exceptional students from each of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges with scholarships. Each student will receive a $750 scholarship.

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Caldoon Farrah

Caldoon (Cal) Farrah’s goal is to earn his master’s degree in chemical engineering and eventually become an instructor. He is currently a pre-engineering student at Tacoma Community College.

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“I grew up in Tacoma and have been taught from a young age to do my best in everything I do,” said Cal.

Cal’s parents were immigrants, and he had trouble learning English as a child. In elementary school, he was placed in a special speech program.

“By the end of my elementary school career, I became one of the top students in all subjects, including English,” said Cal. “Even though I struggled and had much trouble growing up, I was able to overcome my weaknesses. Now I am facing a financial struggle that I plan on working hard to overcome.” 

Cal learned about TCC’s pre-engineering program while attending the college as a Running Start student.

“I chose to attend community college because I found it a good and convenient way to get my education,” said Cal. “Due to current economic times and my father supporting a larger extended family, I was afraid that the University tuition would make things harder on my dad. I thought attending TCC would be the wise decision for myself and for my family. “

Research convinced Cal that TCC’s pre-engineering program would be a smart choice educationally as well as financially.

“TCC has a good reputation and is one of the top community colleges,” said Farrah. “I have seen many people go through TCC and end up transferring to a university and getting a four year degree.”

Cal interned at HaloSource, a company the focuses on clean water and antibacterial solutions, and currently works there part-time. He is secretary at the Islamic Center of Tacoma, where he also serves as assistant youth group leader and volunteer Arabic teacher.

“Caldoon performs at a level very few people ever reach,” said TCC eBusiness Instructor Amad Almsaodi. “His gifts and educational choices have undoubtedly positioned and prepared him well for university study and a promising future.”

 

Donald Missel

Currently enrolled in the nursing program at Tacoma Community College, Donald Missel would like to become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), a certification which requires a master’s or doctoral degree.

Donald began his studies at TCC after a career that spanned activities from touring the world as a U.S. Marine to waiting tables to working as a stay-at-home parent.

“I have been blessed with a wife, two beautiful children, and an ‘adopted’ special-needs adult,” said Donald. “It has been the highlight of my history to have been their stay-at-home parent and care provider for the last six years.”

Donald says that attending community college is a family tradition.

“My wife and I have each had the opportunity to excel in community college. We expect our children to begin their collegiate experience the same way,” said Donald. “They are always informing us what they intend to study when they are at Tacoma Community College.”

He was also influenced by the reputation of TCC’s nursing program.

“It has been my experience, as I complete clinical rotations in the community, that TCC’s students have been well received by their professional mentors,” said Donald. “I have no question that this is a direct result of the value TCC places in their students, and to the high quality Nursing program they have created in their pursuit of excellence.”

As Mentor Coordinator for TCC’s Student Nurse Organization (SNO) from Dec. 2010- Oct. 2011, Donald was able to assist nearly every student nurse as they entered the program. He has also participated in TCC’s health fairs, Relay for Life. In the community, he is active in food collection for a local church and as a hospice volunteer.

Donald also organized a small NPO called “Discourse on Human Trafficking.”
“Our purpose was to facilitate a necessary and continuous dialogue aimed at bringing about the end of modern day slavery,” said Donald. “Our official work was finished after we helped to create a larger, more influential, regional organization: Seattle Against Slavery.”

“(Donald) demonstrates caring in a respectful professional manner,” said nursing instructor Julie Benson. “He is a student that exemplifies the characteristics that we are looking for in our students: intellectual curiosity, creativity, respect for self and others, strong ethical conscience and resourcefulness in the face of change.”

“My mission is to invest in as many people as I possibly can,” said Donald. “I aim to serve. May I find success in investing in others.”


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