Ida Thompson, an education major at Paul D. Camp Community College, has been named a 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar.

Thompson, who serves as a Presidential Student Ambassador at PDCCC and is a resident of Suffolk, is also the college’s first recipient of the prestigious Valley Proteins Fellowship, administered by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. Only 10 students in the state are selected for this honor. In addition, she has been awarded a Cross Realty Career Grant, the Perry R. Adams Scholarship, the King’s Fork Woman’s Club of Suffolk Scholarship and the Col. Lula B. Holland U.S. Army (Ret.), MSW, BSN, AA Scholarship.

“I am so honored to receive this award from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation,” Thompson said. “So many doors have opened up for me since I’ve been at Paul D. Camp Community College.”

Thompson represented the college at the Virginia General Assembly in January and has volunteered her time and talents on special college projects, such as the new online version of the New Student Orientation. She serves as vice president of leadership for the Omega Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She has been accepted to Norfolk State University, where she will major in political science. She has secured an internship with the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Suffolk and plans to apply to William and Mary Law School after completing her bachelor’s degree.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars throughout the nation, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Gold Scholar receives a $1,500 scholarship and a special medallion.

Thompson serves on the board of the King’s Fork High School PTSA and is Team Mom for Bennett’s Creek Warriors Football League. In addition, she volunteers as a tutor with the Suffolk Literacy Council.

“We are so proud of Ida,” said Paul Conco, PDCCC president.

Thompson was recognized at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention April 5 in San Jose, Calif.