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Student Commencement Speaker

Scholar Seeks to Serve and Learn

by Neree Aron-Sando

Sarah Munson

A quick scan of Sarah Munson’s resume leaves one impression – the word “volunteer” is repeated many, many times.

Munson, 20, served as the College’s site coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a national initiative that helps low-income families and individuals file their federal, state, and local taxes.

“In 2011, the VITA program in my area returned $820,000 to the North Penn and Indian Valley communities,” she explained.

Sarah reprised that role in 2012 by helping her fellow students complete and file their own tax returns through an on-campus kiosk system, becoming certified in tax preparation in the process.

Her resume also includes working as a course-based learning assistant since August 2011, helping students to better understand complex subjects like pre-calculus and finite business mathematics.

“I find this really rewarding because I work with students at the College in math classes that many students tend to drop,” she said.

Off campus, Munson, a Harleysville resident, volunteered at the 2011 Philadelphia Folk Festival as a member of the recycling committee, which ties in to her passion for promoting sustainability.

“We successfully were able to compost and recycle all the material accumulated. I enjoy the idea that this festival also supports local farmers and utilizes energy-saving equipment. I would like to continue helping music festivals achieve this goal, for we only have one world,” she said.

Munson enrolled in the College’s rigorous Honors Program on a full academic scholarship, after graduating from Souderton Area High School in the top five percent of her class.

“I remember the negative stereotype I received from my high school classmates when I announced I was going to a community college,” she explained. “I want to have the opportunity to break this stereotype and share with my community college friends that just because we go to community college doesn’t mean we can’t achieve wonders.”

In her sophomore year, Munson served as President of the Honors Club and as Secretary of the Alpha Kappa Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society.

That commitment to scholarship and service landed her a spot on the Pennsylvania Commission for Community College’s All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. She was also selected to give the 2012 student commencement address on May 17. She graduated with an associate’s degree in mathematics.

“I intend to continue my education after MCCC,” Munson said. “I would love to work as a researcher and maybe be a college instructor/high school teacher. I know I eventually want to go into teaching.”

Sarah describes attending Montgomery County Community College as “a great financial decision.”

“As a community college student who works two different jobs, I have saved enough money to continue my education. I have learned at a community college that I love to learn. As a transfer student, I wish to continue learning so that I can gain as much knowledge as I can. With this knowledge, I hope to teach and inspire my fellow acquaintances,” she said.

Presenting Award

Pa. State Representative Matt Bradford presented a citation to Sarah Munson for being named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. She was one of four Montgomery County Community College students to earn this honor. The other students are Christine Chiodo, Brian Gallie and John Roddenberry.

Photo by Diane VanDyke   


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