Monday, December 28, 2009

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY — Alyssa Penick says she never worked harder as a student at St. Ursula Academy than in Maria-Rosa Arbona’s class but acknowledges that hard work not only fostered a love of science, but also a love of life.

Maria-Rosa Arbona (Courtesy photo)

Arbona, a 45-year teaching veteran who has taught at St. Ursula since 1974, was one of four area educators who recently received the Cincinnati USA Outstanding Educator award. The awards were presented at the University of Cincinnati’s Dec. 12 commencement ceremony.

Arbona was selected from a pool of 32 nominations from soon-to-graduate UC graduates, including Penick, who wanted to honor an educator who inspired them to achieve a college degree. The nominations were reviewed by a UC committee that included representatives from the Office of the President, UC faculty, students and staff. Arbona was presented with a $1,000 UC scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior of her choice who plans to attend the university in the 2010-11 academic year.

Arbona was very surprised and honored by the award. “It is good to know that years later students can reflect on their high school experience and still think it is valuable,” she said.