The great news that our blogpal and world-known photojournalist Onnik Krikorian has been nominated for the National Geographic’s All Road’s Award gives me courage to share some personal news.

Today, when I was working at my college’s library, our president’s secretary came by and gave me a packet of tickets to Seattle (Washington) and Long Beach (California).

At the first place, I will be attending the 88th International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, where Madeleine Albright will be the keynote speaker. During the second general session of the convention I will be recognized on the stage along with 19 other students who have been named a Guistwhite scholar out of 600 applicants. Of course, I will also get to see some of my friends (hopefully, including my Russian friend Elena and my Azerbaijani friend Azar), and I am really looking forward to it!

In Long Beach, I will be attending the American Association of Community Colleges convention, where on 22 April I will represent the State of Colorado as the New Century Scholar (out of 1600 college nominees 50 are selected to represent the United States).

The best news is that I have also won America’s most prestigious college award, but I won’t name it now, since USA TODAY (America’s most circulated daily) has the exclusive privilege to report about it. So check the 24 April 2006 USA TODAY issue for my photograph and biography. I can say that only 20 out of 1600 students get the award. Those 1600 are nominated by their schools and have to have high GPAs and a record of extensive community activities.

Earlier this month, I was also named to the All-Colorado Academic Team (please DON’T check the link my photo is horrible) .