Two Southern Maine Community College students have been named to the All-Maine Academic Team for two-year colleges.
Bronson Kieltyka of Monmouth and Ayoob Mahdi of Portland were among the 14 community college students in Maine who were honored at a Maine Community College System ceremony on March 22 in Augusta. The award includes a $500 scholarship.
Kieltyka took a gap year after high school and enrolled in SMCC’s Business Administration program after learning he could continue his studies, play soccer and gain work experience. He is president of the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the stock portfolio manager of the SMCC Business Club and captain of the soccer team, while also holding down two part-time jobs.
After working low-paying jobs and struggling to make ends meet, Mahdi decided to continue his education and enroll in SMCC’s Information Technology program. He serves as a mentor to other students, especially those newly arrived
in the United States, helping them with the challenges of language, culture and employment.
The All-Maine Academic Team is a program of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. Students are nominated and selected for the team by their college based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service.
Photo caption: SMCC President Ron Cantor (from left) with SMCC student Ayoob Mahdi and Bronson Kieltyka.