MCC Announces Class of 2017 Recipients of Regional Advisory Council, President’s Student Awards

Manchester, Conn. (May 23, 2017) – Manchester Community College has announced the Class of 2017 recipients of the Regional Advisory Council and President’s Student Awards. Margery Booker is the Regional Advisory Council Award winner and the President’s Student Award goes to Stephanie Delgado.

The Regional Advisory Council Award honors a graduating student who has given outstanding service to the college, whether through community service, on-campus activities, or all-around service to the community.

Booker, of Stafford Springs, Conn., will be honored at the college’s 27th annual Academic Awards Ceremony, May 24, in the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium. She is a recipient of the CT All-State Academic Team Award, the Phi Theta Kappa Most Distinguished Officer Award, and the Florence Sheils Award. She has served as president of the MCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. At this year’s New England Regional Spring Convention, Phi Theta Kappa earned the Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award for 2016-2017, the highest honor awarded to chapters on the regional level. Booker entered MCC through the college’s Adults in Transition program in Spring 2013 in an attempt to get her life and dreams back on track.

Since enrolling, she has provided leadership not only to Phi Theta Kappa but also through her community service activities, such as volunteering for MCC’s annual fundraiser, Evening of Fine Wines, and the Rebuilding Together program. Booker is graduating with a 3.68 GPA, and has earned an associate degree in criminal justice, as well as a certificate in corrections. She hopes to continue her studies to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in social work and pursue her dream of becoming a family relations counselor.

The President’s Student Award, which will also be presented tomorrow night at the awards ceremony, honors a student who has made exceptional efforts in their lives or has shown unusual perseverance in spite of difficulties, obstacles and challenges.

Delgado, of East Hartford, struck her classmates and professors as a typical student. Serving as the president of the Criminal Justice Club and being someone that her classmates and peers can turn to for advice, Delgado is surely leaving her mark on MCC’s campus.

But, unbeknownst to many, she has been fighting a personal battle behind the scenes, having had more than nine brain surgeries over the past ten years, while continuing to pursue her academic endeavors. While battling her physical ailments, Delgado has continued to be there for her children, balance a household, provide an income and continue her studies in criminal justice, a truly remarkable feat. Even more remarkable is that she continues to be selfless, reaching out to others and providing support any way she can, even while managing her own very busy schedule. Following her diagnosis at the age of 21, Delgado was not deterred. Returning to MCC in Spring 2014, she has worked tirelessly towards earning her associate degree in criminal justice.

Booker and Delgado will both be recognized at MCC’s 53rd annual Commencement Exercises Thursday, May 25.