Press Release

State House Ceremony Honors Bunker Hill Community College Graduate

Friday, May 11, 2012

Leticia do Prado, a Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) graduate, was one of 29 outstanding 2012 graduates of Massachusetts community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts honored for both academic achievement and community service at a State House ceremony held on May 10. The State House ceremony was attended by Governor Deval Patrick and state education officials.

Leticia do Prado was selected because of her success in overcoming numerous obstacles to obtaining her education and for her academic excellence, leadership and service to her community. As a child in Brazil, at the age of 15, she had to care for her younger brother and provide for their household, while her mother traveled to the United States to find work. When Leticia joined her mother in Malden, MA, thanks to the dual enrollment program, she took classes both at Malden High School and BHCC, where she has thrived. She has been President of the Brazilian Club, a member of the Women's Soccer team, an Orientation Mentor, Student Government Representative to the BHCC College Forum, and Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa.

In fall 2011, Leticia was selected as a 2012 Coca-Cola Silver Scholar. Selection was based on scores earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team Competition, for which more than 1,700 applications were received. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Leticia plans to transfer to a four-year institution of higher education, where she will pursue studies in clinical psychology.

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About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. The College offers associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific training programs. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).