WCC held the 27th Annual Student Awards Reception

 WCC held the 27th Annual Student Awards Reception

 

Wilkesboro, N.C. – Wilkes Community College (WCC) held its 27th Annual Student Awards Reception at the John A. Walker Community Center. Students received a variety of academic, club, and leadership awards. WCC is proud of the many accomplishments of its students and congratulates everyone listed below on their well-earned recognitions.

 

NCCCS Academic Excellence Award

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) Academic Excellence Award is presented to one winner from each NCCC College. The recipient must meet the following criteria which is consistent with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, be currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program or at least six hours of coursework toward a one-year certificate, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

 

Interim President, Morgan Francis announced that Annie Covarrubias-Aguilar is the WCC’s 2023-24 Academic Excellence Award recipient. Francis added, “Annie is an exceptional student who embodies the ideals and values needed for academic success. She has consistently demonstrated an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and a strong desire to excel academically. Her commitment to maintaining an impressive GPA and consistently producing high-quality work is truly commendable.”

 

“As a first-generation college student applying to Wilkes Community College and its TRIO program SAGE, I felt totally unprepared for the opportunities that lay ahead,” stated Aguilar. “Nevertheless, I was honored to be on the President’s List after my first semester and have maintained that achievement into my fourth semester. I attribute my academic success not only to my dedication but also to the support of the tutoring services from the Academic Support Center. As a SAGE Fellow, I took full advantage of the workshops and celebratory events that the student mentors and SAGE staff hosted. Serving now as a mentor for the new SAGE student support program, First Year Experience, gives me the opportunity to help others facing the same challenges I did. I host monthly workshops for students, help the staff, and assist students with assignments and advice. Additionally, I serve the college as one of the three Ambassadors for the 2023-2024 school year. As an ambassador, I represent the college through campus events and assist with student orientations, campus tours, and more. Ultimately, I am proud to have overcome the barriers inherent to being a first-generation student and grateful to be recognized as a meaningful participant in WCC’s academic mission.”

 

Dallas Herring Achievement Award

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the system. Each NC community college selects its own honoree and then submits that student as a nominee for the state award, which is given annually to a community college student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy.

 

Josh Lyman is the 2023-24 Dallas Herring Achievement recipient. Beyond academic achievements, Lyman has become a dependable asset to the faculty and staff of the Alleghany Center of WCC. He regularly assists in the welding shop when he is not in classes and provides tutoring to many of his classmates. As he works toward graduation, Josh not only symbolizes success but also represents the embodiment of Dr. Herring’s philosophy that community colleges should “take people where they are and carry them as far as they can go”. His story is not just about overcoming challenges; it is a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative potential of education. Josh’s journey should serve as a beacon of hope, illustrating that with education and determination, one can no

 

Bob Scott Student Leadership Award

WCC has nominated Faith Elledge for the Bob Scott Student Leadership Award. Student Activities Coordinator/Admissions Representative, Jackson Brown stated, “Faith was one of our 2022-23 WCC SGA Freshman Senators and is now the 2023-24 SGA Secretary/Treasurer.

 

Faith is also a 2023-24 representative for the North Carolina Student Leadership Development Program. In addition to her WCC SGA and SLDP duties, Faith is also a member of the WCC SOBiE Club, Students for Christ Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. Faith has been involved with the planning and execution of many Wilkes Community College campus events and activities including our Welcome Back Week events, Constitution Day, Blood Drive, Club Day, Fall Festival, Halloween Costume and Door Decorating Contest, Turkey Bowling, Ugly Christmas Sweater, Christmas Door Decorating Competition, and Christmas Parade, Counseling Services, Mental Health, and Career Services Events.

 

Faith’s involvement extends beyond the Wilkes Community College campus. She is also involved with the nonprofit Rescue America Baptist Missons Inc. She has served with them since the age of six and has gone on many mission trips across the country handing out food, clothes, and other essentials to many including those on Native American reservations. Faith is also involved with her church Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church. She serves as a youth leader and assists and many youth functions including Vacation Bible School.   

 

Faith’s hard work, determination, and dedication to the academic, professional, and personal growth of the SGA and student body in general is demonstrated by her own leadership and involvement within the WCC campus and her community. Faith has developed interpersonal and leadership skills that are vital to her especially as she transitions from Wilkes Community College to a four-year university, the workforce, and beyond.

 

Faith’s dedication to student activities, clubs, and student-led organizations during her tenure at Wilkes Community College has been astounding and unmatched by anyone else on campus. She possesses the character traits of a strong leader, determined colleague, caring friend. Faith is also an effective communicator and listener. This was shown this academic year by her participation as a panelist in a North Carolina PRIMA Marketing Conference. Her drive enables her to build relationships with fellow peers, the staff and faculty on the WCC campus, and the community.

 

PRESIDENT’S EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Applied Career Technology – Lucas Delp, Aaron Shores, and Madison Starnes

Arts and Sciences – Annie Covarrubias-Aguilar, Gavin Parsons, and William Stone

Business/Public Service Technology – Jodi Hancock, Ivey Sanders, and Joshua Thornton

Alleghany Center – Macey Whitaker and Tilden Stephens

Ashe Early College – Breanna Bare and Nicole Toledo

Ashe Campus of WCC – Lauren Church and Perrin Banks

Wilkes Campus – Aden Edwards and Roslin Sloop

 

Outstanding Student Achievement Awards

 

Arts and Sciences

Associate in Arts – Melissa Ortez, Julia Herman, Addison Birkmire, Oliva McCann, Hannah Bumgarner, Dannika Ward, Caitlin Dowell, Lauren Church, Katie Elliott, Abilene Dollar, Sean Wilson, and Chloe Nagle.

 

Associate in Arts Teacher Prep – Emily Holman

Associate in Science – Jeffrey Prazak, Andrew Barlow, Shu Kato, and Landon Gambill

 

Business/Public Service

Business/Public Service Accounting & Finance – Jodi Hancock

Baking & Pastry Arts – Bryan Bouboulis

Business Administration – Jeremy Sturgill, Whitney Combs, and Skye Pereira

Criminal Justice – Joshua Thornton

Culinary Arts – Cole Lail

Early Childhood Education – Chelsea Cockerham

Graphic Design – Rita Hunt

Information Technology – Isaiah Cox, Anthony Mackler

 

Health Sciences

Human Services – Preston Jarvis

Medical Assisting – Carrie Dowell

Nursing – Chasity Stamper

Radiography – Madison Beasley

Respiratory Therapy – Stuart Shaw

 

Applied Career Technology

Animal Science – Abigail Mullins

Electronics Engineering – Perrin Banks

Applied Engineering – Joseph Aldrich, Clayton Main

Architectural Technology – Josiah Critcher

Auto Systems Technology – Christopher Wells

Collision & Refinishing Tech – Lucas Delp

Agribusiness Technology – Cherese Black

Horticulture Technology – Seth Roten

Building Construction – Kole Lambert

 

Club Awards

Animal Science Club – Abigail Mullins

Auto Body Club – Matthew Anderson

Automotive Systems Club – Isaac Wilcox

Diesel Club – Jeremy Minton

EMS Club – William Key

Graphic Design Club – Christopher Lachapelle

Horticulture Club – Brandon Black

Human Services Club – Kendra Queen

Radiography Club – Stephanie Barr

Respiratory Club – Erin Campbell

Rotaract Club – Molly Glen

SAGE – Robi Myers

Student Government Association, (SGA) –Emily Holman

Students for Christ Club – Brandon Lowe

Student Nurses Club, 1st Year – Lauren Hontz

Student Nurses Club, 2nd Year – Jessica Henriquez Amaya

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond.  Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.

Photo Credits: Riah Barfield

l-r: Morgan Francis, WCC Interim President, and Annie Covarrubias-Aguilar

l-r: Kim Faw, VP of Instructional Support & Student Services, and Josh Lyman

l-r: Jackson Brown, Student Activities Coordinator/Admissions Rep., and Faith Elledge