Language Arts
Student Recognition Awards 2025
Congratulations to our students!
Congratulations to all our students recognized for their contributions at this year's
Language Arts & Ethnic Studies division ceremony, and thank you to all the family
members, friends, faculty, and scholarship donors who helped make it special.
Find more photos from the event in the scholarship section below and on our downloadable celebration photo gallery.
A Language Arts Division Tradition
For more than thirty years, with generous support from Bruce Swenson, former president of the FHDA Board of Trustees, the Language Arts & Ethnic Studies Awards have brought students, faculty, staff and administrators from Foothill's English, Foreign Language, ESL, and Ethnic Studies departments together to celebrate our shared creativity, courage, and commitment as a learning community.
Celebrating Student Words, Wisdom & Action
The Language Arts and Ethnic Studies Division is one that believes in the powerful relationship between language and identity; between language and belonging; and between language and justice. We believe that to fully discover and develop these relationships, the most successful students bring their courage – courage to think critically, to question, to collaborate, to take risks, to care for others, to use their true voice, and to be agents of their own learning.
For this reason, our awards are not based solely on grades or tests. Our awards honor students for their words, their wisdom, and their actions. Many have persevered through enormous obstacles; many have gone out of their way to help and inspire others. All who receive an award today can feel proud that their professor selected them for praise and acknowledgment. And they should know that the extra effort and care they gave to their classes is an inspiration to all of us.
Our Celebration is Twofold
All faculty may select students in their classes to honor with a Language Arts & Ethnic Studies Recognition Award. In addition, faculty may nominate students for our four Language Arts & Ethnic Studies Division Scholarships, with this year's scholarship recipients highlighted below from the nominating faculty.
It is the privilege of the Language Arts & Ethnic Studies division to honor the following students for our Language Arts & Ethnic Studies Recognition Awards and our Special Scholarships.
Language Arts Recognition Awards 2025
Congratulations to all our students recognized for their contributions at our division ceremony on June 6, 2025. Please view our slideshow from this year's event and visit both sections below to view those students receiving awards this year!
Student Recognition by Department
Language Arts Special Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of donors who are committed to honoring our students, we are proud to announce recipients of the following special scholarships.
Scholarship Criteria: Recipients were nominated by the faculty in the division and selected by a committee of division representatives.
Nancy G. Schrier Creative Writing Award ($1000)
Congratulations!
MARVIN HERNANDEZ FLORES
recipient of this year’s
Nancy Schrier Award
nominated by
HILDA FERNANDEZ
About the Scholarship
Nancy G. Schrier was an enthusiastic teacher at Foothill College for 25 years and enjoyed sharing her passion for poetry and fiction with students. The purpose of this fund is to provide annual award(s) to Foothill student(s) nominated and chosen by Foothill Language Arts faculty. Specifically, the award is for a student who has taken at least one English class in the current academic year and has demonstrated a passion for creative writing and/or poetry. Special consideration is given to those students who have persevered in the face of challenges to pursue their education.
Jason Whitten Memorial Award for Outstanding English Students ($1500)
Congratulations!
SHAMA WABHA
recipient of this year’s
Jason Whitten Memorial Award
nominated by
BRIAN LEWIS
About the Scholarship
This award honors a student who has taken at least one English class in the current academic year, has persevered in the face of challenges to pursue their education, and who has become an outstanding student in English as demonstrated through their writing. The student should have a passion for reading and writing but have also overcome adversity to succeed at Foothill.
Anne Paye Award for Demonstrated Facility with Language ($500)
Congratulations!
LAN NGUYEN
recipient of this year’s
Anne Paye Award for Demonstrated Facility with Language
nominated by
STEPHANIE CHAN & AMBER LAPIANA
About the Scholarship
Over her long career as an English faculty member at Foothill College, Anne Paye evinced a profound appreciation for the novel use of language. This award is given to a Language Arts student who has demonstrated a similar love of language. The student’s writing may not have been perfect or free of error, but it showcased language in new, interesting, and/or exciting ways; the student might have marshaled unexpected evidence in support of an argument, or they may have turned a phrase so exactly that the reader was given pause to reflect. The student’s writing should call attention to itself both for its precision and its insight.
Fred H. McClure ESL Award ($750)
Congratulations!
to our two recipients of this year’s
Fred McClure ESL Award
MILENE ALCARON AYALA
nominated by
AMY SARVER
COCO CASTANEDA
nominated by
AMY SARVER
About the Scholarship
This award is for non-native English speakers who have distinguished themselves in an ESLL or English class. This recognition should go to exemplary students whose work and work ethic demonstrated a commitment to learning and excelling. The students may not necessarily have been “A” students, but should have demonstrated through class work and participation an above average engagement in the learning process. The award recognizes the students’ determination to learn and grow, to highlight their persistence, perseverance, and eagerness to reach beyond the standard outcomes of a course.
Past Award Celebrations
Questions?
We're Here to Help!
Sheherazade Arasnia, Language Arts Division
650.949.7250
Bldg. 6400, Room 6406
Office HoursWednesday and Thursday 8 AM - 4 PM |