Julian Ciarella has been selected as the Lone Star College-North Harris winner of the annual Chancellor’s Essay Contest. Ciarella was one of six Lone Star College System students selected for the award and a $1,000 scholarship. During the 21st annual Lone Star College Foundation Chancellor’s Breakfast on Feb. 5, Ciarella presented his essay on how a Lone Star College education changed his life.
Ciarella currently attends Lone Star College-North Harris, and has a 4.0 GPA. He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and active participant in the Lone Star Leadership College. Ciarella enjoys math, science, and politics.
It has not always been an easy road for Ciarella. Like many, he faced some personal struggles of his own, yet had the strength and determination to power through and succeed. It would have been easy to just give up, but instead Ciarella decided to challenge himself with “a new beginning.”
“Lone Star College has influenced my life in countless ways,” said Ciarella. “Professors, counselors, faculty and staff, you have all given me the fresh start to life that I desperately needed. Because of Lone Star College, the phrase ‘I can’t,’ is not in my vocabulary.”
Ciarella has goals of earning an Associate of Science degree from LSC-North Harris. He is also determined to major in petroleum engineering at Texas A&M University.
"Julian's personal and academic accomplishments are an inspiration to us all," said Dr. Steve Head, LSC-North Harris president. "He represents the thousands of students that are improving themselves at LSC-North Harris."
When Ciarella finishes his degree at LSC-North Harris, he will have the proud honor of being the first in his family to successfully graduate college.
“LSC-North Harris is not just a community college, it’s a place for new beginnings,” added Ciarella. “LSC-North Harris has changed my life, significantly, for the better. None of this would have been possible without LSC-North Harris leading me to success.”
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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