'I want to be either a high school theater teacher or at the college level.'ĭellea compared the award to the highest accolade an actor can receive. 'I plan on transferring to MCLA and getting a degree in theater, but also focusing on education,' said Dellea.

Like Sims, Dellea plans on continuing his education at a local four-year college.

'I've been in numerous productions like 'Angels in America.' Outside of school, I work as a cashier in Great Barrington, and I tutor at the college.' 'I am involved in student government and the BCC Players, a theater group,' said Dellea. Theater major Christopher Dellea was also nominated from Berkshire Community College. Sims was thrilled to receive the award and said it was more than she expected. Though right now I'm working with elders, and I love that, too.' 'I had an internship with Big Brothers Big Sisters and I loved it. 'I'd like to come back to Berkshire County and work for a nonprofit that works with kids,' said Sims. Sims will be going on to a four-year school to study social work and hopes to get a masters of social work and start her career. 'Off-campus, I'm in a bowling league and we create a youth mentors program for young bowlers, like Big Brothers Big Sisters.' 'I'm a class note-taker for students with disabilities and I was a tutor for a while,' she said. The 18 students were selected from among thousands of community college students in Massachusetts.Īriel Sims is a social work major at Berkshire Community College. To qualify for the award, students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA and be involved in the college community with an outside focus on volunteer service. 'We don't talk enough of the academic achievements of these students who are often juggling multiple responsibilities other than school.'

'Our community college students are one of this state's greatest assets,' Murphy said. Kevin Murphy, D-Lowell, the co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, congratulated the students on their perseverance and focus. The two students joined 18 other Massachusetts community college students honored yesterday at the Statehouse by state legislators, community college presidents and Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society for two-year schools. Ariel Sims and Christopher Dellea received awards for academic excellence, campus involvement and community service as part of the All Massachusetts Academic Team.

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