Honor Students Chip In for Positive Change
By Christine Calderon, Student, West Valley College
Alpha Gamma Sigma, also referred to as AGS, is “the California Community College Scholastic Honor Society,” and serves two purposes:
1. “To foster, promote, and recognize outstanding scholarship”
2. “To encourage and provide opportunities for participation in community service activities”
At West Valley College in Saratoga, California, AGS is a very large and active club. Students who are members, participate in service activities aimed to improve the community. In the past, they’ve hosted blood drives, book drives, and cellphone drives. The activities they participate in range from picking up trash on campus to individual members volunteering as tutors at local schools. Steve Cary, a physics major at West Valley, and president of AGS, says that as an AGS member for two and a half years, he’s learned the value of community service.
“Many people are extremely gracious when you help them,” says Cary.
In addition to devoting a lot of their time to volunteering, the members of AGS are given the opportunity to attend an annual spring convention, where outstanding members are awarded scholarships. AGS members also receive credit on their college transcripts, and many find gratification in helping their community and meeting new people. The group also helps students develop leadership and communication skills.
In order to become a member, you must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and complete a certain amount of volunteer hours.
For Cary, the connections that he has made have been the most rewarding experience. “From being president and a member, I have met—on a less formal level—many professors and administrators, as well as a few good friends.”
CHRISTINE CALDERON IS A JOURNALISM STUDENT AT WEST VALLEY COLLEGE IN SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA.
Find Out More
Click for more about the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
