1. April 1, 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my privilege to give high recommendations to my student, Maria Ramirez, and
advocate highly for her for the JCCC Outstanding Student award. My interaction with
Maria lies in the fact that she is the President of the JCCC International Club (for which I
am an advisor). This was my first year in this role, and Maria made my transition very
easy as she possesses a maturity far beyond her years. Her attention to details is
incredible and I envy her organizational ability! The JCCC International Club is largely
successful because of Maria’s efforts. She is incredibly diligent in recruiting new
students to join and involving them and making them feel welcome once they are part of
the club. Before serving as the President of this club, she acted in the leadership role of
Fundraising Committee Chair.
Dave Ellis, JCCC Counselor, also worked with Mara with the JCCC International Club
and had this to say about her:
“Maria deserves to receive the Outstanding Student Award. She has an outstanding
personality that goes above and beyond the tasks of a normal student. The fact she is able
to balance her campus involvement with work and her volunteer commitments is evidence
that she possesses superior time management skills, perseverance and great work habits.
She has shown as the President of the International Club that she can handle diversity,
conflict and stress and still complete her task on time. She is a dedicated , capable and
caring individual who strives to exceed expectations.”
In this role in JCCC International Club leadership, Maria also acted as the primary
organizer of activities that had to do with community outreach. She took on the role as
student organizer for the 2015 community blood drive on campus which was hugely
successful. Maria also received the Outstanding Volunteer award for her work with the
2015 Asian Festival on campus. She has also been active for the last three years in trick-
or-treating Halloween activities for children, where Maria has dressed up, passed out
candy, and organized games for the kids to play. Maria is also a graduate of the JCCC
Cavalier Leadership Development program. For nearly four years, she has worked with
her church, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, to teach Spanish classes for free. And for
the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, Maria volunteered as a translator and helped
provide clothing to homeless people in the area.

2. Yet all of this campus involvement was not a detriment to her classroom performance.
Maria is a National Honor Society member and has been placed on the Honor Roll for
two consecutive years while at JCCC. She was also awarded the prestigious Presidential
Award for Educational Excellence.
Maria also has been a member of the JCCC Outdoors club and consistently attended
meetings and outdoor activities. Frank Syracuse, Professor of Economics as well as
faculty advisor for the JCCC Outdoors club, says this about Maria:
“Maria has been one of my students as well as active in the JCCC Outdoors club. She is
a wonderful student, and has been very active in recruiting international students to
become part of the Outdoors club. She is a very genuine individual and is loved and
admired by everyone.”
Maria has a strong servant heart. Maria is in the JCCC culinary school and loves to cook
for others. Several months ago, Maria came to our home and my wife and I purchased
ingredients for a full meal that Maria would then cook for us and approximately 22
students from campus. She began cooking and preparing at about 4:30 pm and worked in
the kitchen until we all ate at 7:30 pm. She tirelessly looked after every detail in
preparing this meal for these two dozen people and evening was a grand success (see
photo below). She truly wanted to make each person feel welcomed and valued.
Maria is a very intelligent student, but she even a better person. She always has a
positive attitude and is always wanting to learn more. Maria would be an excellent
recipient of the JCCC Outstanding Student award, and I have no hesitation to recommend
her. Please contact me if I can be of any other help or service to you as you consider
Maria.
Sincerely,
David Krug
Professor of Accounting
Johnson County Community College
913-469-8500 x4764