The La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) honored two Cerritos College students with Academic Achievement Award (AAA) Certificates at their meeting on May 14, 2026, at the ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium.
Hospitality chairperson Ceci Borja-Van Zitter and her assistant Sue Carruthers had prepared a wide variety of refreshments for this special occasion, including fresh fruits, empanadas, tamales and other snacks that members and guests could enjoy from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.
At 7:15 p.m. Administrator Celia Spitzer started a brief business meeting with approval of the April minutes, acceptance of the treasurer’s report, and committee reports from Public Policy, AAUW Fund, and Interest Groups.
Spitzer turned the meeting over to Joan Pylman, Chair of the Academic Achievement Awards Committee, who introduced AAA committee member Gail Ross. Ross read information about Meera J. Parikh, the winner of the Transfer Student Award for 2026.
She said that Meera is 20 years old and carries a 4.0 GPA while at Cerritos College. She is the STEM Club’s First Vice-President in charge of Communications which demands meeting deadlines and participation in campus activities. In addition, she has been tutoring students in Chemistry. Since she aspires to be a Physician’s Assistant, she has immersed herself in the world of healthcare by being a volunteer. In the community, Meera volunteered at events sponsored by Key Club.
She also was a research volunteer at the Lundquist Institute where she identified calcifications in the aorta and liver on CT scans and input patient data onto electronic records. Meera listed Biology and Pre-Med as her major and she will be attending UCLA in the Fall of 2026.
Since Meera was unable to attend this meeting in person, Eric Calderon, Scholarship Relation Specialist at Cerritos College, accepted the Academic Achievement Award Certificate and flowers for Meera. He also read a letter of thanks from Meera for her award.
Pylman introduced AAA committee member Christine Taxier, who read information about the winner of the Re-Entry Student Award for 2026. She said that Zaira is a 33-year- old and first-generation college student. She is also a first-generation American, and Spanish is her first language. She grew up in poverty as one of five children cared for by her mother. She was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and major depression five years ago and struggled with her mental health issues.
As she improved, she realized that to achieve her goal of functioning in the business world, she needed to go to college.
Working at Sprouts Family Market sparked her interest in accounting and made her want to learn more about business. She entered Cerritos College in 2024 and used Student Accessibility Services (SAS) for disabled students to access accommodations and plan for her classes. In her first semester at Cerritos College, she had a 4.0 with 15 units with Accounting and Business as her major. Her GPA in 2026 is 3.84.
Zaira made the Dean’s List and Paresident’s List in her first semester. She became part of the Accounting Pathways invitation only program, Transfer Academy, P.R.I.D.E. Scholars, EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program & Services), and SAS. She is also President of the Academic Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and Treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lamda Business Club. She also volunteers for Special Olympics of California and helps organize athletes and community volunteers.
Zaira will graduate with six degrees in the Spring of 2026 from Cerritos College. The degrees include two Business Administration degrees, and one each in Economics, Language and Literature, Social and Behavior Science, and in Self Development. She has already been accepted at Cal State University Fullerton. Zaira plans to work for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting and become a Certified Public Accountant.
Zaira received a bouquet of flowers and the Academic Achievement Award Certificate for the Re-Enty Student of 2026 from AAA Committee Chair Joan Pylman. She thanked Pylman and the Academic Achievement Awards Committee of the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Branch for her award. She said that the scholarship money would help pay for tuition, books, supplies and other necessities.
Both Zaira and Meera must notify AAA Committee Chair Joan Pylman when they are enrolled at the four-year college of their choice in the Fall of 2026 before they will be able to receive the funds that are part of their Academic Achievement Award.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. with a reminder for members to come to the Planning Meeting for programs for the 2026-2027 year on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium.