The Presidential Scholar and Academic Achievement Awards Presentation was on Wednesday night, in the East Dining Room.

The El Camino College Administration and the El Camino College Board of Trustees awarded scholarships to outstanding students. This ceremonial tradition began fifteen years ago President Tom Fallo said.

Requirements of being awarded the “Presidential Scholarship”:

• 60 completed units before the end of this spring semester
• A GPA of 3.7 or higher
• Transferring to a four-year university

The first group of students to be presented with recognition were the presidential scholars. They are considered to be the most gifted students in their division of study, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Francisco Arce said.

There were family members in attendance taking pictures of their children, family, friends and/or relatives, while the students were receiving the honors and awards.

The next awards that were presented, by the division deans and faculty, to students that achieved outstanding academic achievement. These students had to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and must have declared a major within their division.

Brandon Petrikowski, 24, political science major, has plans to attend UC Irvine in the fall.

“The award is really nice.” Petrikowski said. “Also, they gave me a check, which is really nice. It’s a lot more rewarding.”