Queen Alalah finalist named November Student of the Month

Recognized for her involvement on campus and excellence in the classroom, sophomore Daniela Salcedo was recently named the Cowley College November 2023 Student of the Month. 

Salcedo has lived in Arkansas City for the past 10 years and graduated from Arkansas City High School in 2022. At ACHS, she was involved in band, concert band, AC Players, Arkettes, Ark Highs, Usherettes, cheer, symphonic choir, and the National Honor Society. 

Her parents are Raul Gonzales and Maria Salcedo. She has a brother, David Gonzales, 15, and two sisters, Isabella Gonzales, 16, and Victoria Gonzales, 9. 

“Money was a big factor in my coming to Cowley, but I also knew a lot of the staff at the college,” Salcedo said. “Cowley is also very community involved, which I liked.”

In addition to a rigorous and demanding academic schedule, Salcedo is one of the most involved students on Cowley College’s main campus in Arkansas City. As a recent finalist for Queen Alalah, she is a member of the Cowley College Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, and Concert Band, is a Student Ambassador, and serves as a work-study in the Cowley College Bookstore. She is also an active Act One Drama Club member, performing in both the fall musicals and spring plays. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Student Organization, and Voices Heard. She also assists with the Student Pantry on campus. 

“Cowley has been amazing! It has been a whirlwind of exciting things,” Salcedo said. “I like Cowley so much that I was contemplating staying a third year, but plan to transfer to a four-year university out of state.” 

Salcedo is a first-generation college student who is driven to succeed despite the personal and economic challenges she is faced with. At home, Salcedo has obligations and responsibilities to her family that are not expected of many students her age.

“I believe her dedication to her family is also what makes her such a dedicated student; she simply doesn’t know how to be anything other than devoted,” director of auxiliary services Shannon O’Toole said. 

The Pre-Medicine major was selected to the Dean’s Honor Roll and has a grade point average of 3.70. She hopes to one day become a clinical lab technician. 

“I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field because it is challenging and ever-changing, and I need something to keep me driven,” Salcedo said.

Being named Student of the Month is another goal accomplished by this amazing sophomore. 

“It feels like my hard work is paying off and is inspiring other people to want to achieve the same,” Salcedo said.

Rama Peroo | Director of Institutional Communication
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
rama.peroo@cowley.edu