Bergen Community College Honor Students Secure Scholarships

Press release from Bergen Community College:

April 8, 2025

Maria Frometa Lora, Elizabeth Girard and Franzen Angeleen Quicho.

“We are proud that our PTK members have been recognized for their amazing accomplishments through these scholarships,” Bergen Assistant Director of PTK and Honors Anna Gergen said. “Their academic excellence, hard work and dedication to our chapter projects have made them standout members of PTK.”

Girard, of East Rutherford, graduated with her associate of science in social work and a Judith K. Winn School of Honors diploma from Bergen in December 2024. She capped her time at the College as a four-time member of the dean’s list, Honors Student Conference participant and peer tutor and academic coach. She has since transferred to Rutgers University-Newark to study social work. Girard hopes to focus on child and family social work with a specialization in trauma and trauma-related mental disorders. In her free time, she participates in theatre and volunteers for organizations such as We’ve Got Friends and Spectrum for Living. Only 22 students nationwide received the Hites Transfer Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement and rigor, engagement in college and community activities and leadership.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be selected for this scholarship,” she said. “I feel seen and recognized for my dedication and passion, and the support of Phi Theta Kappa has once again brought me one step closer to achieving my goal of making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”

Studying general natural science and math, Frometa Lora, of Bergenfield, intends to pursue a career in healthcare. At Bergen, she serves as a leader-in-residence for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the student engagement and events coordinator for Bergen for Business, the general vice president and vice president of recruitment for PTK and a student ambassador for the Educational Opportunity Fund.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

This press release was produced by Bergen Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.