Wor-Wic Community College students Oleksiy Katrysh of Salisbury and Matthew Lawson of Crisfield were recently named to the All-Maryland Academic Team, a competition that recognizes academic excellence and community service of two-year college students sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK), the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and the Maryland Council of Community College Chief Executive Officers.

Selection is based on college transcripts, letters of recommendation, a biographical questionnaire and an essay. Twenty-five students from throughout the state were named to either the first or second team.

Matthew Lawson

Lawson was one of 12 students to make the first team, and one of 50 students to be selected as a Coca-Cola bronze scholar. He will receive a $1,000 stipend and a medallion from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Katrysh was one of 13 students who made the second team.

“In the past 15 years, Wor-Wic has had 14 students make the first team and eight named to the second team,” said Dr. Ray Hoy, president of Wor-Wic.

Lawson has a 3.52 grade point average (GPA) and expects to graduate from Wor-Wic in May with an associate degree in nursing. After graduation, he plans to work as an acute care nurse while pursuing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.

He is the Delaware/Maryland state president for the PTK Middle States region and vice president of the nursing student organization at Wor-Wic. He has also served as vice president of leadership for Wor-Wic’s Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of PTK.

He is a volunteer emergency medical technician and a lifetime member of the Lower Somerset Ambulance and Rescue Squad in Crisfield.

Oleksiy Katrysh

An honors student with a 3.88 GPA, Katrysh expects to receive his associate degree in general studies in May. He plans to transfer to St. John’s College in Annapolis to obtain a bachelor’s degree, in preparation for medical school.

Katrysh is vice president of scholarship for Wor-Wic’s PTK chapter and a student ambassador. While at Wor-Wic, he has also served as president of the martial arts club, and as vice president and treasurer of the student government association (SGA).

In addition, Katrysh’s volunteer experience includes more than 150 hours of service at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.