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She "has always given back to the community" is how
Enrique Renteria describes Lisa Chanterie, the April Outstanding Student
of the Month. He believes her accomplishments are seen both in and
out of the school. Lisa is in her second full-time semester and has a
GPA of 3.3. She began attending Merced College while also
attending Merced High School so she could get a step ahead in her
education. Her major is Biological Science, and she would like to attend
UC Davis. Lisa had the opportunity to visit Davis while
participating in the Puente Program, a Program on campus that visits
several universities. Her ultimate goal is to become a Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine. Lisa notes " I want a plaque hanging on my
wall that says Lisa Chanterie, DVM." Lisa was drawn to the medical field
when she received a ROP Award of Excellence in Medical Occupations for
being both an outstanding student and a good helper to the doctors and
nurses. Through Advanced Placement classes and earning her rank on the
Honor Roll numerous times she is determined to pursue her educational
goals.
Lisa's success has not only been seen in school but she
has held regular babysitting jobs and now works at the Merced College
Bookstore which as she describes is her first "real job." As for
giving back to the community Lisa has volunteered on mission trips to
Tijuana, Mexico where she got to build houses for the poor and play with
children from the local orphanages. She volunteers every Sunday at
St. Patrick's Church where she is a Sunday Pre-School teacher. She
enjoys playing with the children while their parents are attending mass.
For fun Lisa enjoys traveling. She has been to Rome,
Italy as part of a trip with her church to see the Pope which she notes
was an experience of a lifetime. It is something she will never forget.
Lisa loves to read and states, "reading allows me to escape realities
and travel into worlds that are so different from mine." When
asking Lisa why she chose Merced College she said she really needs to be
here to support her family. Lisa admits her family life was a
little unstable in the early years as she moved often, parents were
divorced and it was quite challenging to make friends, go to new schools
or get involved. She recalls when her sixth grade teacher saw her
grades suffering , he said " if you start doing your homework, come to
study sessions during recess and try harder, I will make sure you
pass this class and continue on to seventh grade." "Mr. Albers from Our
Lady of Mercy School was my inspiration and believed in me and that is
why I believe that I am continuing my education to this day." It is now
several years later and Lisa is motivated and determined to reach her
goals. Mr. Renteria states "she is an active student who always
turns in her homework on time, always prepared, and actively
participates in lively class discussions." These are some of the
many reasons Lisa was chosen as the April Outstanding Student of the
Month.
Ms Chanterie will receive recognition at an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting
and has received special parking privileges for the month of April and a
check for $50. She will also be considered for Student of the Year.
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