Going above and beyond the call of duty, Rosi Simmons was recently named Cowley College’s December Student of the Month.
Simmons, daughter of Pat and Denise Simmons, is a sophomore psychology major from Arkansas City. She has a brother, Davis, 17. Her grandparents are Rosemary Von Hoene of Clovis, N.M., and the late Eugene Von Hoene and the late Bob and Arline Simmons of Winfield.
At Arkansas City High School, Simmons was involved in student council, FCA, cross country, Usherettes and helped back stage during the school plays. While at ACHS, she received recognition as a KU Endowed Scholar and was a member of the school’s honor roll.
She was the recipient of a Cowley Activity Awareness Team Scholarship at Cowley College.
“I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go after high school but then I heard about the CAAT Scholarship and it seemed to fit me,” Simmons said. “We hope to help people and make an impact on the student body at Cowley.”
Simmons has taken on a leadership role within the group and has been involved in such events as CAAT’s In A Box, which raised money and awareness for Hunger and the Homeless, CAAT Adopt-A-Highway, the Numana Food Packaging event put on by ACES, and also attended the Bacchus Network General Assembly student leadership and awareness conference in Reston, Va.
She is also involved in FCA and Chi Alpha and is a Cowley College Student Ambassador.
Kristi Shaw, director of student life, is among those that have been impressed with the work done by Simmons.
“Rosi is phenomenal,” Shaw said. “She is a genuine friend to others and displays a genuine love for people. She never has anything negative to say, she is always positive. She leads by example, her lifestyle exhibits positive behaviors and she is an awesome role model to others.”
Simmons, who has a 3.57 grade point average at Cowley, was crowned Miss Arkansas City her senior year at Arkansas City High School and was recently among the five finalists for Queen Alalah LXXX.
Being named the school’s December Student of the Month is something Simmons does not take for granted.
“This was such a pleasant surprise,” she said. “It is an honor to have my hard work recognized. The teachers at Cowley are very willing to work with you and make you feel like they want you to succeed.”
Simmons credits her father as being very influential to her success.
“My dad is a very motivated person,” Simmons said. “Whether it is earning his PhD or opening a business he seems to pull his dreams within his reach. This gives me the courage to pursue my dreams. I know that if I need him he is someone I can go to with anything. I have been very blessed to call Pat Simmons my dad.”
Away from her activities at Cowley, Simmons likes to read and paint using acrylics. After graduating from Cowley in May 2012, Simmons plans to continue her college education at the University of Kansas. After completing college she would someday like to move to Colorado and work with children for Compassion International.
“I have met a lot of amazing people at Cowley and am sure I will look back at my time at the school with fond memories,” Simmons said. “It is like the school has its own little community.”