Three outstanding Skagit Valley College students were recently named to the 2025 All-Washington Academic Team in recognition of their high academic achievements and community involvement.
SVC has selected students Kierra Fisher, Oleg Otstavnoi, and Erica Vela. The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state’s finest higher education students and they reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community.
They will be honored at the 29th annual ceremony on Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m. at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey campus.
In his proclamation, Gov. Bob Ferguson invited everyone in Washington state to observe Thursday, April 24, 2025, as All-Washington Academic Team Day.
This year’s team includes 84 students from the transfer and workforce pathways representing Washington state’s 34 community and technical colleges.
Oleg Otstavnoi
Otstavnoi, 39, of the Mount Vernon campus is studying Business Management as his third degree and holding a 3.9 GPA. He left Russia in Sept. 2022 for new beginnings. His goals are to adapt to American society, graduate from college, start work, and relocate his family from Russian. He is a PTK member and serves as a volunteer with the Mount Vernon Policy Department.
Kierra Fisher
Fisher, 29, is studying an associate of arts in Human Services and holds a 3.76 GPA. She’s the first in her family to attend college. Her goal is to create a better life for her family and to give future addicts in recovery strength and hope, also for a better life. Her future plan includes attending graduate school and studying for a master’s degree.
Erica Vela
Vela, 23, is studying accounting and plans to transfer to a four-year university. The youngest of seven, she grew up in a family of Mexican immigrants who worked tirelessly in migrant labor. At the age of 13, she joined her family working in the fields and gained a deep respect for their hard work. Being bilingual, she became her family’s translator, giving them a voice. She hopes to empower others using her bilingual skills in the field of accounting. Her experiences have shaped her desire to support the community and help others overcome language and cultural barriers.
During the All-Washington ceremony, Otstavnoi, Fisher, and Vela were recognized with scholarships from KeyBank.
The All-Washington Academic Team has become the showcase for Washington’s community and technical colleges because it honors the academic high achievers who have demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities where they live. In addition, it demonstrates the state’s commitment to scholarship and community service on the part of those attending the state’s public community and technical colleges.
PTK, the international honor society for two-year colleges, symbolizes excellence in higher education and a commitment to students. PTK has recognized and encouraged scholarship among two-year college students for more than 100 years by providing enrichment while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. For these reasons, the American Association of Community Colleges has designated PTK as the official honor society for two-year colleges.
The All-Washington Academic Team program is supported and sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, KeyBank, WSECU, the Washington State Association of College Trustees, the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
For more information about the All-Washington Academic Team program, visit spscc.edu/allwa.
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