Bergen Community College

Maria Frometa Lora, Elizabeth Girard and Franzen Angeleen Quicho.

PARAMUS, N.J. – Two Bergen Community College students and an alumna have received $10,000 in scholarships from Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society organization for two-year colleges. Leading the honorees, Elizabeth Girard (‘24) has earned the 2025 Hites Transfer Scholarship, PTK’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering at $7,500. In addition to securing spots on the New Jersey All-State Academic Team, current students and prospective May graduates Maria Formeta Lora and Franzen Angeleen Quicho have received 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

“We are proud that our PTK members have been recognized for their amazing accomplishments through these scholarships,” Bergen Assistant Director of PTK and Honors Anna Gergen said. “Their academic excellence, hard work and dedication to our chapter projects have made them standout members of PTK.”

Girard, of East Rutherford, graduated with her associate of science in social work and a Judith K. Winn School of Honors diploma from Bergen in December 2024. She capped her time at the College as a four-time member of the dean’s list, Honors Student Conference participant and peer tutor and academic coach. She has since transferred to Rutgers University-Newark to study social work. Girard hopes to focus on child and family social work with a specialization in trauma and trauma-related mental disorders. In her free time, she participates in theatre and volunteers for organizations such as We’ve Got Friends and Spectrum for Living. Only 22 students nationwide received the Hites Transfer Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement and rigor, engagement in college and community activities and leadership.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be selected for this scholarship,” she said. “I feel seen and recognized for my dedication and passion, and the support of Phi Theta Kappa has once again brought me one step closer to achieving my goal of making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”

Studying general natural science and math, Frometa Lora, of Bergenfield, intends to pursue a career in healthcare. At Bergen, she serves as a leader-in-residence for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the student engagement and events coordinator for Bergen for Business, the general vice president and vice president of recruitment for PTK and a student ambassador for the Educational Opportunity Fund.

“I am extremely grateful for the experiences I gained and the mentoring I received during my time at Bergen,” she said. “These opportunities played a significant role in my success, and without them, I would not have been named a Coca-Cola Scholar.”

Quicho, of East Rutherford, hopes to become a tax attorney and advocate for fair and equitable tax policies. As a peer mentor for the Turning Point Program and the Center for Adult Transition at Bergen, she seeks to support initiatives that encourage diversity inclusivity. As director of recruitment for Bergen’s PTK chapter, she helped lead the group’s Honors in Action project. Quicho also won numerous awards at the 2024 Beacon Conference.

“I’m beyond ecstatic to be one of the few recipients of the Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarship in New Jersey,” she said. “This incredible honor reflects the hard work, passion, and dedication I’ve poured into my academics and service throughout my years at Bergen Community College.”

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 gold, 50 silver and 50 bronze scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually.

PTK represents the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. PTK has more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

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