Riverland Community College students Olena Berezovska (Kherson, Ukraine), Eric Chouinard (Brooklyn Center), Andrew Howe (Lakeville), Natasha Spear (Waseca) and Kaylin Wolf (Blooming Prairie) were named to the 2010-2011 All-Minnesota Academic Team in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and service to their college and community. The ceremony, held March 25 in Eagan, honored 45 students from Minnesota's two-year colleges.

In 1994, state academic teams were introduced as a way to provide scholarships and scholastic recognition to Phi Theta Kappa members while promoting excellence at two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, symbolizes excellence in higher education and a commitment to students. The state academic teams are a division of the Academic All-American Team for Community, Technical and Junior Colleges students, an international program sponsored annually by Phi Theta Kappa, USA Today, and the American Association of Community Colleges. Students named to the All-Minnesota Team are not required to be Phi Theta Kappa members.

Olena Berezovska

Major: Finance/Economics

Future Plans: Pursue a bachelor's and master's degree

A native of Kherson, Ukraine, Olena Berezovska is hoping to obtain her education in finance and economics to earn a bachelor's and master's degree and return to her home country to make an effort to aid its ailing economy.

"I want to make positive contributions and implement changes for better and safer business conditions." As a student at Riverland Community College, Olena is president of the International Student Club, president of Phi Theta Kappa, member of the Student Senate, found and leader of the Banned Book Club and a volunteer for the Red Cross. Olena is excited about the experiences, skills and knowledge she has acquired as a student in the United States, stating "I now have a variety of skills and knowledge that will benefit my academic and professional life and allow me to contribute to society. My authentic self will continue to meet challenges and opportunities as Iconstantly move toward my goals."

Eric Chouinard

Major: Business

Future Plans: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

A native of Brooklyn Center, Minn., a Twin Cities suburb of around 30,000 residents, Eric Chouinard chose to head south to obtain his education. He completed an Associate of Arts degree with a business emphasis at Riverland Community College while maintaining a rigorous work schedule. Despite the challenges of balancing work and school, Eric maintained a 4.0 grade point average and is now a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He is studying for a bachelor's degree in business management and plans to either continue work with his current employer or seek other opportunities in academics or business.

Andrew Howe

Major: Liberal Arts

Future Plans: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Andrew Howe hails from Lakeville, Minn., and is earning an associate's degree in liberal arts from Riverland Community College in Austin, Minn. Andrew plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities after completing his degree, where he says he "hopes to enter the field of ethnoarchaelogy and study Bronze and Viking age Scandinavian religion and folklore." When he is not studying to find a way to single handedly save the economy, Andrew enjoys reading, bicycling, school, work, and avoiding homework by playing games online.

Natasha Spear

Major: Kinesiology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Future Plans: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Natasha Spear calls Waseca, Minn., her hometown. She is a kinesiology and pre-veterinarian major who plays guitar and piano and is involved with soccer, volunteering, running, choir, journalism and speech and theater, earning awards for her acting and speaking abilities at both local and national levels. Natasha has a 3.99 grade point average and plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, to earn a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and, eventually, a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Natasha credits her accomplishments to her internal drive and ambition.

"Hard work and passion are the keys to accomplishment," Spear said. " It is about believing in and pursuing the opportunities and letting our ambitions take us on adventures to places where the numbers of lives we touch and the lessons to be learned are endless."

Kaylin Wolf

Major: Theatre

Future Plans: University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Kaylin is a native of Blooming Prairie, Minn. She is studying theatre with hopes of obtaining both bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts. Upon completing her education, her dream is to move to New York City and work on-stage as an actress, or behind the scenes as a costume designer or makeup artist. While at Riverland, Kaylin has demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a 3.94 grade point average. She is active in Phi Theta Kappa and the Riverland Community College theatre department, acting in nine productions and building sets for five in the last two years. Off-campus, Kaylin is a veteran 4-Her, serving as a member of the Rabbit Project Development Committee, president of Steele County's 4-H program, a Minnesota State 4-H ambassador, and recipient of 4-H's highest honor, the Gold Key Award.