Stafford Resident Named Co-Valedictorian for MCC's Class of 2018

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester Community College on Wednesday named the top students for the Class of 2018 — co-valedictorians Robert Bailey and Victoria Turk and salutatorian is Alexandra Norton.

Bailey, a resident of East Hampton, enrolled at MCC in 2014 after being away from higher education since 2003. In addition to his studies in the engineering science program, he volunteered as a tutor in the college’s Academic Support Center. He will continue to study electrical engineering at the University of Connecticut.

Turk, of Stafford, enrolled at MCC in 2015 as a general studies/allied health major, after 20 years in the work force and raising a family. She is a member of the Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and plans to pursue a career in radiography.

Norton, a home-schooled student from Bolton, enrolled in MCC at the age of 13 and matriculated at 14. She is the youngest student to serve as an officer of the Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. She is also this year’s Regional Advisory Council award winner for outstanding community service. She plans to continue her education to become a veterinarian.

All three are also recipients of the Board of Regents’ Medallion for Academic Excellence. Medallions are awarded at each of the community colleges to graduating students who have earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. They are all graduating summa cum laude.

Bailey and Turk will each deliver a valedictorian address at the 54th commencement exercises on Thursday.

Photo Credit: MCC