WILKESBORO — 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.
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