AUGUSTA – Joanna Jones, chairwoman of the Maine Community College System’s board of trustees, praised the accomplishments of 12 community college students who were named to the All-Maine Academic Team at a ceremony at the Senator Inn.

The team, which recognizes the academic achievements of two-year college students, is sponsored in part by Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges.

The students selected for the team are: Shawn Burns of Lisbon, Travers LeClair of Auburn, Stephanie Kennedy of Greenbush, Shawn Evans of Bangor, Andrea Watkins of Winsor, Thomas Mauritzen of Skowhegan, Megan Beals of Houlton, Rocco Tripaldi of Portland, Carrie Pulsifer of Portland, Danica Thornton-Pray of Topsfield, Desiree Smith of Eastport and Stephen Theriault of Sanford.

Tripaldi was also named Maine’s 2005 New Century Scholar as the student who received the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in the state. Each student received a $500 scholarship.

Burns, a liberal studies major at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, has been on the president’s honors fall 03-04; high honors spring 03-04; Cub Scouts/Brownies’ instructor; church worship leader; Sunday school teacher; Christian education board member; prayer service leader; Webmaster; and adult education Bible study leader.

LeClair, an electromechanical technology major at Central Maine Community College, is a peer tutor; member of the Turner Timberland ATV Club; volunteer for the elderly; president’s honors spring 2004; high honors spring 2003.

The All-Maine Academic Team was introduced in 1997 as a way to recognize two-year college students who have achieved academic distinction.

It is a division of the All-USA Academic Team for Community and Technical College students, an international program. By being named to the team, the students are eligible for selection to the All-USA Academic Team.