Moreno Valley College student Richard Wickham, 20, won 1st place and a $1,000 prize at the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) College Oratorical contest on May 8. His speech-which detailed the damaging effects of alcohol and discussed treatment solutions-bested those of speakers from Fullerton, Cerritos, El Camino, Barstow, and Glendale Community Colleges. He will represent Moreno Valley College at the WCTU National Convention in Rhode Island in August.

"Richard is a bright and talented young man, who has an even brighter future," said his coach, Associate Professor of Speech Communication Diane Conrad.

Wickham, a college sophomore, was home schooled until enrolling at Moreno Valley. He maintains a 3.85 GPA and credits this home life as one of six siblings for his work ethic, study skills, and the catalyst that prepared him for college. Criticisms that home schooling doesn't provide the social exposure young people need to succeed rings false to him.

"It isn't exposure that makes you good at something, it is the faith you have that enables you to rise to the challenge," Wickham said, a self-taught musician who has recorded instrumental pieces with his brothers and sisters.

Wickham has been chosen as student speaker for the Moreno Valley College commencement, which is scheduled for June 10. He will transfer to California Baptist University in the fall.

From the Dean of Student Services Office:

Denis Vega is the proud recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship* valued at $30,000 a year. He is currently attending both the Riverside and Moreno Valley Colleges. He has been accepted to UCR for the Fall of 2010. He currently holds a CGPA of a 3.707, majoring in Biology/Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology.
He has career plans to earn a Medical degree and a short term goal of a Masters in Public Health. He is also a first generation college student and has received awards and honors from:

• 43rd Congressional District-Inland Empire Scholarship for 2 years,
• U.S. Senate Award in 2007,
• President's Education Award Program in 2006, and
• The Superintendent's Recognition Award in 2005 Congratulations!

*The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer to and complete their bachelor's degrees at the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship makes it possible for the nation's top community college students to complete their bachelor's degrees by transferring to a four-year college or university. The Foundation provides up to $30,000 per year to each of approximately 50 deserving students selected annually, making it the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student's educational expenses - including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees - for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive. To be eligible for the program, students must be nominated by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Faculty Representative at their two-year institution. Students cannot apply directly to the Foundation. Each two-year college may nominate up to two students each year to be considered for the scholarship.