Renton Technical College nominated Elmi Abdalla and Johnathon Kersey for the 2022 All-Washington Academic Team. The program recognizes the state's finest higher education students. The students who make up the All-Washington (All-WA) Team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community. Abdalla and Kersey exemplify the determination, community spirit, and love of learning that separate RTC.

Abdalla, a student in the Commercial Building Engineering Program, believes his dreams are in reach thanks in part to his education at RTC. “Seeking my AAS from Renton Technical College helps both me and my community in many aspects,” Abdalla said. “It gives me the skills and confidence to achieve a living wage and potential home ownership, while also inspiring me in a way that keeps my mind, spirit and hands active.”

Jonathan Kersey

Johnathon Kersey

Kersey is motivated by his classmates to become an even better student. “I love learning new things which is why I initially enrolled at RTC. For every class project we worked-on, we had a half dozen different ideas and ways to tackle it… Being open to what other students have to say and seeing new and exciting ways others would think outside the box not only kept me interested in my courses but drove me to further my own education outside of school so I could continue to contribute to the group overall.”

The program has become the showcase for Washington's community and technical colleges because it honors the academic high achievers, the individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities in which they live. This recognition demonstrates the state's commitment to scholarship and community service on the part of those attending the state's public community and technical colleges.

Abdalla and Kersey will be honored at the 2022 All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony, which will be held virtually on May 12, 2022 at noon.

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