Oceanside CA— MiraCosta College and the MiraCosta College Foundation are proud to announce the 2015 recipients of the MiraCosta Medal of Honor. The five students selected were honored at the college’s Scholarship Celebration event on May 8.
The Medal of Honor is considered the college’s highest academic award and is bestowed annually to students nominated by the teaching faculty and who earned a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 in degree-applicable courses. Each recipient receives a scholarship of at least $500 provided by community members, businesses and service organizations.
This year’s honorees are:

• Natalie Acosta: A mathematics major, Acosta plans to pursue a degree in mathematics and statistics at UCSD, which she hopes will lead to career as an actuary.
• Jason Blevins: As a computer science major, Blevins plans to transfer to a UC in fall 2015. A Marine Corps veteran, his long-term goal is to become an independent software developer and business owner.
• Elizabeth Egel: A Cathedral Catholic High School alumni, Egel plans to transfer to UCSD or UCLA this fall and major in applied mathematics with a future career in software engineering.
• Sam Mariscal: While concurrently enrolled at Canyon Crest Academy, Mariscal began his education at MiraCosta College in the summer of 2010. He plans to attend a UC school in fall of 2015, where he will pursue a degree in chemistry.
• Tara Ponsot: Ponsot is currently enrolled in MiraCosta’s LVN to RN Career Ladder Nursing program. After graduation, she plans to work as a nurse, specializing in mental health while she pursues a bachelor’s degree at a university.