An international student who came to the U.S. to advance her business career and a student who plans to pursue medical school are this year鈥檚 麻豆视频 nominees for the competition and are automatically named to the .
Each year, 麻豆视频 and other community and technical colleges in Washington state each select up to two student nominees to represent their college in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Students will be honored in an All-Washington Academic Team ceremony on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PST at South Puget Sound Community College鈥檚 Lacey Campus. Two students from the state of Washington nominees will be announced as participants in the All-USA Academic Team competition. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the .
麻豆视频 is proud to announce Aliana Schneider and Thu Nguyen have been named to the 2026 All-Washington Academic Team and will have a chance to be selected to the All-USA Academic Team competition.
Aliana Schneider
After returning to the United States following more than a decade in Argentina, Yakima Valley College student Aliana Schneider faced a steep transition.
鈥淚t was a struggle to adjust to a new culture, manage my own money and learn how to do college-level coursework,鈥� she said.
Schneider soon found support through instructors, study groups and campus resources.
鈥淭he connections I made at school made all the difference,鈥� she said.
Now a biochemistry major with plans to pursue forensic pathology, Schneider has built confidence and community at YVC.
鈥淚 chose to major in biochemistry because I find it interesting and I enjoy learning about how the human body works,鈥� Schneider said. 鈥淭he more I learn, the more passionate I become about pathology.鈥�
She has taken on leadership roles through YVC鈥檚 STEM Club and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and volunteers with Northwest Harvest.
鈥淛oining PTK and being part of a team really made me feel connected,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y clubmates encouraged me to apply for scholarships, internships and more leadership roles.鈥�
Thu Nguyen
When Thu Nguyen left Vietnam with her two young children to study in the United States, she knew she was starting over. But the first weeks in the Yakima Valley were more challenging than she expected.
鈥淣ot only did I have to adjust to a new academic environment, but I also had to help my kids adapt to a completely new lifestyle, climate, school system and social environment,鈥� said Nguyen.
English was new for her children, she said, and supporting them through the transition required time and patience. Nguyen relied on skills she developed over 13 years working in the nonprofit sector, including discipline and extensive planning.
鈥淚 created a detailed daily schedule for our family,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter two months of following this structure, things became much smoother. Through this experience, I learned how important good planning, determination and adaptability are.鈥�
Before coming to the United States, Nguyen worked to help create more opportunity for children in rural Vietnam. Working for U.S.-based nonprofits, including the and the , she managed scholarship programs, organized skill-building camps and oversaw online learning platforms for students with limited access to educational resources.
The work shaped her long-term goals 鈥� and ultimately inspired her to study in the United States.
鈥淚 chose to study business administration because it provides essential skills in management, strategy, finance and organizational leadership,鈥� she said.
After arriving at YVC, Nguyen also saw a need for stronger peer support among .
In the future Nguyen hopes to launch the International Student Forum Network to fill that gap. She鈥檒l organize meetings, lead discussions on navigating life in the Yakima Valley and encourage students to share their experiences.
鈥淚 want to help students feel less isolated and more confident in navigating their new environment,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith some support students can began helping each other independently and fostering a self鈥憇ustaining support system.鈥�
Nguyen plans to transfer to a four-year university and hopes to pursue an internship in a business setting.
鈥淭his hands-on experience will allow me to immerse myself in real business situations, strengthening skills in management, problem-solving and organizational strategy,鈥� she said.
The program recognizes and honors our state's finest higher education students. The students who make up the All-Washington Team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence and contribute positively to the community. The program has become a showcase for Washington's community and technical colleges because it honors academic high achievers, men and women who have demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities in which they live. To qualify for the All-Washington Academic Team, students must be part of the (PTK) international honor society for two-year colleges.
In addition to recognition of the All-Washington Academic Team, each of YVC鈥檚 nominees is also placed in competition for the and the awards. PTK will notify students of their placement on national teams in April 2026.
Each All-Washington team member will receive a commemorative medallion and a $250 scholarship from . Thanks to the generosity of the YVC鈥檚 nominees receive an additional $250 scholarship.
In addition, the top-qualifying student receives a $2,500 Jan Yoshiwara Scholarship and the top three students ranked by PTK receive the Scholarship. Additionally, the top 16 ranked students receive a $750 scholarship from the .
Students who choose to transfer to four-year colleges and universities within Washington state also are eligible to receive ranging from $1,000 to $27,000.