With a 3.97 GPA, you would think that Vonny did nothing else but study while she was at Green River. However, this is far from the case. During her two years on campus, she founded the Future Chemist Club, which now has twenty members; she was President of the Teachers of Tomorrow Club and was the primary organizer for the Future Teachers of America Conference; she served the surrounding community through various student club activities including the Postal Workers Food Drive and YMCA Healthy Kids Day; and she tutored students in the Math Science Lab. According to math instructor and Project TEACH advisor, Steve Kinholt, “Vonny was one of our most requested tutors and won the ‘best tutor’ award,” an annual award from the Math Learning Center. 

When asked what Vonny liked most about Green River, she replied, “My science classes. I love chemistry, biology, microbiology…”  Her interest and dedication to learning extended far beyond the classroom; she got to know her science teachers and asked questions.  According to her biology instructor, Ken Marr, “Vonny impresses me greatly as both a student and a person. She has a sincere passion to excel academically as her success in my class and all those she as taken at Green River testifies—she ranks in the top 5% of all students I have had the pleasure to work with in nearly 25 years of teaching chemistry and biology... The depth of understanding shown in Vonny’s written work (lab reports, weekly problem sets, exams/quizzes, etc.) rank with the best that I have seen in my career. Vonny has an unsurpassed motivation to succeed. She is a model student in all respects—her study habits and work ethic are what any educator would consider as ideal."

Vonny loved the friendly atmosphere at Green River and all the natural beauty.  “I studied plant biology while I was here, so I could understand more about the plant life in Washington State,” she said.