Hachar honors program celebrates anniversary

A little over ten years ago, a man was called to Dr. Keck's office to discuss important matters. That man was Dr. Carlos E. Cuellar, and he was called to discuss the creation of the D.D. Hachar Honors Program. Today, the program celebrated the graduation of their 10th cohort this past May.

The program was established in 2000, back then it was directed by Cuellar. This honors program includes a $20,000 scholarship that is divided over four years. To be in the program, you must apply while a high school senior. The competitiveness of the program is amazing, as it only takes the best. The program has seen many scholars come and go, in their 10 years.

The D.D. Hachar Honors Program encourages excellence from their students, and they expect nothing but the best. Throughout their four years of college, students in this program must maintain a 3.0 GPA. The honors students also serve as mentors at the First Year Success Program.

According to associate director Ms. Gerry Laurel, all of the honors students who have applied to medical school have been accepted. The program focuses on helping the students' dreams become a reality. Whatever you want to be in life, journalist, CEO, or nurse, the honors program is designed to help those dreams become a reality.

Liz Sandoval graduated from the program in 2002, and is currently working for the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. while working on working on her Master's degree in Public Administration."Dr. Carlos Cuellar's commitment to his students is unsurpassed by anyone that I have encountered in my academic career. His interest in our well roundedness through higher academic curriculum, school trips, and gatherings to bond with other scholars has definitely had a positive impact in my personal experience," Sandoval said. Sandoval's added that she would recommend it to anyone. It prepared her for the position she holds today.

Current students also feel the same way about the program. Delissa Flores, a rising junior who is majoring in accounting, concluded that despite all the pressures attached to the honors program it is a good experience.

"Sure, sometimes it gets to be really challenging and difficult. But, the honors program has done so much for me that I have learned to overlook the difficultness," said Flores.