Brentwood - Christina Simons of Center Moriches, a 2010 graduate of the Photographic Imaging program at Suffolk County Community College's Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood, is the recipient of a 2010 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship from The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Simon was one of 40 students from 17 states that comprised the 2010 Class of Undergraduate Transfer Scholars recently announced by the Foundation. The scholars all attended two-year institutions. The Foundation will provide each student a scholarship worth up to $30,000 a year for up to three years, which will allow them to transfer to four-year colleges and universities and complete their undergraduate degrees.

"Since it was established, the Foundation has recognized the importance of community colleges and their value to American society," said Dr. Lawrence Kutner, the Foundation's Executive Director. "What we've also realized is that many top-notch students at these two-year colleges need financial help to get to the next level."

Since the Undergraduate Transfer program was instituted in 2002, over 365 students have benefited from scholarships from the Foundation. That represents more than $13 million in scholarship dollars which have been distributed through this Foundation program alone.

"I am now in the honored position of being able to pursue a future tailored to my talents and interests as I work toward one of my greatest adventures – my life as an artist and photographer," said Simons.

A leader and role model, Simons dove into the college experience holding leadership positions in various organizations in addition to earning a perfect 4.0 GPA. Prior to enrolling in college, she showed a desire to help in the community wherever she could through various volunteer and employment activities, including stints at the YMCA, AmeriCorps, and Brehm Preparatory School. Simons has been accepted at one of the top art schools in the nation, California Institute of the Arts. She hopes to earn her B.F.A. with a concentration in photography and women's studies.

In addition to this honor, Simons also received a 2010 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence and a 2009 Vanguard Student Recognition Award for New York State. She was also one of the Suffolk Community College Foundations' Get There From Here Scholarship recipients.