09/17/2012
Celina Gonzalez ’12 was named a recipient of the 2012 Alcala Award, which honors one male and one female graduate for excellence in academics, leadership and service. “Celina truly embodies the spirit of the Acalá Award,” said Professor Perla Myers, PhD. “I am truly impressed by her—by her unparalleled work-ethic, her contagious positive disposition, her kindness, her intelligence, her genuine desire to make a difference in the world, and her initiative.”
Celina, you were recently named a 2012 Alcala Award recipient. What was your reaction when you learned you would receive this distinction?
You took the initiative to organize and run USD's summer mathematics enrichment program last year. Tell us how that opportunity arose. Why did you choose to take on the challenge?
In 2009, we received great feedback from children and their parents in regard to our program. We did not have the camp during the summer of 2010. I thought it would be a great chance to continue to spark kids' interest in mathematics by enriching their mathematical experiences in a creative way. The program allows us to play with mathematical concepts, which kids may or may not have the chance to explore in the classroom setting. Therefore, we hope to expand students' perception of mathematics in order to help them apply the concepts to real-world situations.
If I may speak for the group, we have a passion for mathematics, which we all want to share in a fun way. This would not have been possible without the great support of Dr. Perla Myers and Lynn McGrath, PhD of the mathematics department, our co-instructor Amanda Askelson, and our volunteer Rebecca Myers. Now, a goal I have is to help make this camp more accessible to kids in the Linda Vista community. The more kids we can work with the better. Hopefully our kids will be exposed to the beauty of mathematics, which can be seen in all aspects of life.
Tell us about your current work in Linda Vista.
I have taken the opportunity to continue living out my passion for service and education. I accepted a full time job with YMCA as a literacy teacher for the before and after school youth program. I am very excited to have the privilege to maintain and develop relationships with community members, children and families in the Linda Vista area.
What are your goals for the future?
I plan to complete the Teacher Credential Program to receive my Special Education and Multiple Subjects Credential. I hope to continue to live a life of service-learning. Also, I would love to help develop youth programs, especially within the field of mathematics. Recently, I have played with the idea of continuing my higher education to become a professor.
- Anne Malinoski '11
