PRESS RELEASE

APRIL 2022

SJR State students named to 2022 All-Florida Academic Team

St. Johns River State College (SJR State) students Ginger Williamson, Nicole Ratkovic and Said Zori were named to The Florida College System’s 2022 All-Florida Academic Team for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

Williamson enrolled at SJR State on a dual-track (two-degree) program and graduated, summa cum laude, with her Associate in Arts degree and a 4.0 GPA in December 2021. She currently only has a few classes remaining to complete her second degree, an Associate in Science in Accounting Technology.

“This award means so much to me,” said Williamson. “I am the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I would like to show my son the importance of obtaining higher education. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.”

Upon completion of her second degree at SJR State, Williamson hopes to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree in anthropology and later work on additional degrees with a double major in mathematics and chemistry. “Chemistry is necessary in forensic anthropology and analysis of some archaeological findings,” she explained. “I reside in the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine, which has been inspirational,” she said.

Putnam County resident Nicole Ratkovic is enrolled in SJR State’s nursing program and also serves as the treasurer of the Student Nurses Association on the Palatka campus. She is the coordinator of the campus’ Hula Hooping Club, which serves to assist with the mental, emotional, and physical health of students.

Ratkovic plans to start working as a registered nurse in critical care after completing the ASN program in August and continue her education in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Zori has served as the president of the Student Government Association at the St. Augustine campus and will graduate from SJR State in May. He plans on attending either the University of Florida or the University of South Florida and is interested in pre-law or pre-dental studies.

Students are nominated by their respective colleges to the All-USA Academic Team competition, sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. This year’s team included 144 students. To join PTK, members must have completed 12 credit hours at a two-year institution and hold a 3.5 grade point average. The organization also promotes scholarships. To learn more, visit www.ptk.org.


PHOTO CAPTION:
SJR State Students Ginger Williamson, Nicole Ratkovic and Said Zori were named to The Florida College System’s 2022 All-Florida Academic Team for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

 

 

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