Language Arts
Student Recognition & Awards 2021
A Language Arts Division Tradition
For more than thirty years, with generous support from Bruce Swenson, former president of the FHDA Board of Trustees, the Language Arts Awards have brought students, faculty, staff and administrators from Foothill's English, Foreign Language, and ESL departments together to celebrate our shared creativity, courage, and commitment as a learning community.
Celebrating Student Words, Wisdom & Action
Instead of being based solely on grades or tests, these awards celebrate the words, wisdom, and actions of students for each quarter — all of whom have overcome enormous obstacles to achieve success in college. In addition, these same students have reached out to assist and inspire others to succeed and thrive as well.
Those who receive an award can feel proud that their professor carefully selected them for praise and acknowledgment from among many dozens or even hundreds of students. And they should know that the extra effort and care and love they poured into their classes is an inspiration to all of us.
Our Celebration is Twofold
All faculty may select students in their classes to honor with a Language Arts Achievement Award. In addition, faculty may nominate students for our four Language Arts Division Scholarships, with this year's scholarship recipients highlighted in videos below from the nominating faculty.
It is the privilege of the Language Arts division to honor the following students for our Language Arts Achievement Awards and our Special Scholarships. Please visit both sections below to view those students receiving awards this year!
Language Arts Achievement Awards
Please join us in congratulating our 2021 students recognized for their contributions.
Language Arts Special Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of donors who are committed to honoring our students, we are proud to announce recipients of the following special scholarships.
Scholarship Criteria: Recipients were nominated by the faculty in the division and selected by a committee of division representatives.
Nancy G. Schrier Creative Writing Award (Two at $500)
Congratulations!
NICOLE MENSICK
nominated by Susie Huerta
&
WENDY RODRIGUEZ
nominated by Stephanie Chan
recipients of this year’s
Nancy Schrier Award
About the Scholarship: Nancy G. Schrier was an enthusiastic teacher at Foothill College for 25 years and enjoyed sharing her passion for poetry and fiction with students. The purpose of this fund is to provide annual award(s) to Foothill student(s) nominated and chosen by Foothill Language Arts faculty. Specifically, the award is for a student who has taken at least one English class in the current academic year and has demonstrated a passion for creative writing and/or poetry. Special consideration is given to those students who have persevered in the face of challenges to pursue their education.
Video from faculty SUSIE HUERTA, nominating NICOLE MENSICK
Video from faculty STEPHANIE CHAN, nominating WENDY RODRIGUEZ
Jason Whitten Memorial Award for Outstanding English Students ($1000)
Congratulations!
JAYDEN MURRAY-HOUSTON
recipient of this year’s
Jason Whitten Memorial Award
nominated by Kimberly Escamilla
About the Scholarship: This award honors a student who has taken at least one English class in the current academic year, has persevered in the face of challenges to pursue their education, and who has become an outstanding student in English as demonstrated through their writing. The student should have a passion for reading and writing but have also overcome adversity to succeed at Foothill.
Video from faculty KIMBERLY ESCAMILLA, nominating JAYDEN MURRAY-HOUSTON
Video with thank you from scholarship recipient JAYDEN MURRAY-HOUSTON
Anne Paye Award for Demonstrated Facility with Language ($500)
Congratulations!
VANESSA HATAKEYAMA
recipient of this year’s
Anne Paye Award for Demonstrated Facility with Language
nominated by Stephanie Chan
About the Scholarship: Over her long career as an English faculty member at Foothill College, Anne Paye evinced a profound appreciation for the novel use of language. This award is given to a Language Arts student who has demonstrated a similar love of language. The student’s writing may not have been perfect or free or error, but it showcased language in new, interesting, and/or exciting ways; the student might have marshaled unexpected evidence in support of an argument, or they may have turned a phrase so exactly that the reader was given pause to reflect. The student’s writing should call attention to itself both for its precision and its insight.
Video from faculty STEPHANIE CHAN, nominating VANESSA HATAKEYAMA
Meet Vanessa |
Acceptance Message |
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I am honored and humbled to be selected for this year’s Anne Paye award, and so grateful for the enduring support, encouragement and inspiration from my Foothill professors and fellow classmates. I would like to sincerely thank Professor Stephanie Chan for lifting me up throughout the year, indulging my wandering questions at countless office hour sessions, and for helping me find my voice in a time when I felt a need to speak up and express myself, but didn’t quite know how. Being able to engage in creative writing and immerse myself in literature over the last year was an unexpected gift, helping me to process my thoughts and emotions, allowing me to persevere throughout the pandemic and to find a path forward—and I am so excited to see where that path leads. Thank you! |
Fred H. McClure ESL Award (Two at $500)
Congratulations!
SONIA HERNANDEZ
&
MARIA PICO HERNANDEZ
both nominated by Amy Sarver
recipients of this year’s
Fred H. McClure ESL Award
$500 each
About the Scholarship: This award is for non-native English speakers who have distinguished themselves in an ESLL or English class. This recognition should go to exemplary students whose work and work ethic demonstrated a commitment to learning and excelling. The students may not necessarily have been “A” students, but should have demonstrated through class work and participation an above average engagement in the learning process. The award recognizes the students’ determination to learn and grown, to highlight their persistence, perseverance, and eagerness to reach beyond the standard outcomes of a course.
Video from faculty AMY SARVER, nominating SONIA HERNANDEZ
Video from faculty AMY SARVER, nominating MARIA PICO HERNANDEZ
Past Award Celebrations
Questions?
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Sheherazade Arasnia, Language Arts Division
650.949.7250
Bldg. 6400, Room 6406
Office HoursWednesday and Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM |