MCC names fall 2018 recipient of Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award

McHenry County College named Matt Becker of Crystal Lake as the recipient of the fall 2018 Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award, a $600 scholarship given to a student who displays the ability to work toward completion of a degree or certificate while overcoming their disability and maintaining a positive attitude.

McHenry County College named Matt Becker of Crystal Lake as the recipient of the fall 2018 Joseph A. Blanco Spirit Award, a $600 scholarship given to a student who displays the ability to work toward completion of a degree or certificate while overcoming their disability and maintaining a positive attitude. The award applies toward tuition and books for the Spring 2019 Semester.

The award applies toward tuition and books for the Spring 2019 Semester.

Becker was selected by the MCC Access and Disability Services Department for exemplifying the can-do attitude and determination that the Spirit Award recognizes.

He began at MCC in fall 2017 and is working toward an associate degree. He carries a 3.46 GPA and works at the front desk in the college's Sage Learning Center and serves as a Student Orientation leader. He is involved in several organizations at MCC, including Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Writer's Block creative writing club, Social Science Club and Oasis Christian Student Club.

The Spirit Award was founded in 2009 by Joe Blanco, a longtime MCC tutor before he passed away in 2011, as a way to honor students who inspire others every day.

MCC tutor Charlotte Kremer nominated Becker for the award.

"Matt is a very cheerful person, very respectful, easy to talk to and always willing to help fellow students," Kremer said. "Matt has the gift to make every activity he's involved in very joyful. Joe Blanco would have been happy to know this exemplary student and would find him very deserving of this award."