BRIDGEPORT – The Housatonic Community College student Celeste Roche of Milford has won national distinction with her work being published in a national honor society magazine.

            Roche's short story Guidelines for a First Date, which tells the story of a most unconventional first get-together, was printed in the 2010 edition of Nota Bene, the literary magazine of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Roche's work, one of 17 selected for inclusion in the magazine, was chosen from a field if 617 entries.

            "We extend congratulations to Celeste Roche for her outstanding short story Guidelines for a First Date," said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Dr. Rod A. Risley "Celeste's work shows a high level of creativity and excellent writing."

            "We commend Celeste for her achievement and Housatonic Community College for providing her with so many opportunities to succeed," he added.

Risely, who serves as founding editor of Nota Bene, said the magazine showcases outstanding writing by community college students. "Nota Bene emphasizes the opportunities for excellence found at community colleges," he added.

"The Note Bene competition is an outstanding example of Phi Theta Kappa's success in engaging our members to promote retention and encourage college completion," he said.

Roche is the daughter of HCC English as a Second Language Professor Maria Roche.

.           Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops.  In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs.  HCC is nationally recognized as an "Achieving the Dream" institution.  To learn more, visit the college's website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu.

Editor's Note: All details in this post were provided and are presented here as they were sent.