CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Academic excellence, leadership, school pride, community service and more were celebrated during John Tyler Community College’s annual Student Awards Night. At the ceremony, held at the end of the spring semester, more than 120 students were recognized for their achievements. The following awards were presented during the ceremony (zip codes follow recipient names):
Sherwood Forest Art & Literary Review
John Tyler Community College publishes the Sherwood Forest Art & Literary Review each year in conjunction with its annual student literary and art contest. The publication has highlighted the creativity and talent of Tyler students since 1968. Students submit entries in the categories of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and art. Judges review and select first, second and third place winners in each category. Honorable mention awards may be given if the judges choose to recognize additional entries. The winning entries are published in the Review. An electronic copy of the publication may be downloaded at http://www.jtcc.edu/sherwoodforest.
Art
1st Place – Dave Randolph (23030)
2nd Place – George Hamilton (23235)
3rd Place – Ada Moradi (23060)
Honorable Mention – Tabitha Buchanan (23113)
Honorable Mention – William Campbell (23112)
Poetry
1st Place – Laura Ingram (23842)
2nd Place – Adam Short (23226)
3rd Place – Hesper Wooten (23237)
Honorable Mention – Jessica Young (23002)
Honorable Mention – Sasha Wooding (23238)
Creative Nonfiction
1st Place – Laura Ingram (23842)
2nd Place – William Campbell (23112)
3rd Place – Elliot Daniels (23294)
Honorable Mention – Frances Clendenon (23112)
Honorable Mention – Cheyenne Plear (23842)
Fiction
1st Place – Carole Skrbin (23834)
2nd Place – Jaden Jennings (23236)
3rd Place – Conner Wallace (23235)
Honorable Mention – Thomas Kaupish (23235)
Honorable Mention – Elena Marshel (23235)
Social Sciences Research Expo Awards
Each year, Tyler students are given the opportunity to participate in the college’s Social Science Research Expo. At the Expo, students present research they have conducted on a number of topics. During the event, visitors, who spend time viewing the research and talking to the students about their findings, vote on their favorite projects. This year’s winner was Jason Malone-Lucas (23224) for his project, “Recruiting Tactics of White Supremacists.” The first runner up was Natalie Johnson (23113) for the project, “Intimate Partner Gun Violence in the United States,” and the second runner up was Kyra Dunham (23112) for the project, “The Dehumanization of Hispanic Immigrants.”
Tau Rho and Beta Omicron Omicron Phi Theta Kappa Academic Awards
John Tyler Community College’s two Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society chapters, Tau Rho and Beta Omicron Omicron, recognized graduating PTK members with the highest GPAs in their programs.
Christine Franke (23236)
Laurel Gofton (23238)
Ciara Henderson Smith (23832)
Jessica Hevener (23235)
Abriana Jacobs (23116)
Carly Kernstine (23139)
Michele Malone (23237)
Sherry Oglesby (23231)
Ugonma Ozurumba (23114)
Madeline Pomaville (23831)
Jessica Reid-Burrell (23112)
Sarah Spencer (23113)
Misty Stout (23901)
Hien Truong (23059)
Theresa Windham Service Award
This award was first presented in 1996 in honor of Theresa Hands Windham, who succumbed to a sudden illness in 1993 at the age of 37 while serving as the college’s coordinator of grants and development. During her short tenure at Tyler, Windham’s kindness and selflessness touched the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff. Always smiling, always striving to help others, she was loved by all who had the good fortune to make her acquaintance. This award recognizes students who personify Windham’s dedication to service without regard for personal gain or adulation. This year’s recipient was Jonathan Ryder (23838).
Daniel Dalton Award
The Daniel Dalton Award, named in honor of a John Tyler Community College founding faculty member, is presented annually to an outstanding club or student organization that exhibits excellence in the areas of service to the college, commitment to community service, and dedication to academics. This year’s award was presented to the THRIVE Club. Members of the club are very active on campus, holding regular meetings, social gatherings, and weekly bible studies, as well as participating in community activities, such as “Operation Christmas Child” and “Feed My Starting Children.”
Marshall Denison Society
The Marshall Denison Society, named for the college’s second president, was established to recognize individuals who embody the college’s commitment to student success and who have made extraordinary contributions to the student activities program at Tyler. Michael Murphey, VERITAS veterans liaison, was this year’s inductee.
Academic Resource Center Tutor Awards
Student tutors for Tyler’s Academic Resource Center (ARC) were recognized for assisting students throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. These students were honored for supporting the success of Tyler students through tutoring and other work in the ARC:
Camilla Alsobrook (23224)
Sarah Ashby (23139)
Savannah Blanks (23237)
Ashley Bowden (23897)
Madeline Brilhart (23237)
Pimthada Bubphamala (23225)
Elaina Buie (23060)
Ravonte Campbell (23234)
Dana Cantillon (23113)
Nathaniel Carter (23832)
Stephanie Contois (23836)
Maria Daniels (23294)
Bret Dereski (23890)
Jarrett Emory (23112)
Rachel Fredenburg (23831)
Sabrina Fuller (23832)
Laurel Gofton (23238)
Sophia Radabaugh (23238)
Dorothea Rugg (23227)
Jason Schuchart (23831)
Jonathan Shaw (23235)
Ciara Smith (23832)
Anthony Taylor (23224)
Ananda Tol (23831)
Hien Truong (23059)
Artre Turner (23237)
Madeline Walter (23236)
Miranda White (23834)
Wienick Wooden II (23836)
Casey Zapata (23234)
Zachary Zarzycki (23139)
Performing Arts Achievement Awards
Tyler’s Performing Arts program recognized two students who excelled within the program:
Hailey Bean (23113)
Helena Ruiz (23139)
Student Ambassador Awards
Tyler’s Student Ambassador Program gives current students the opportunity to represent the college and become student leaders. Student ambassadors lead tours; assist during special events; help their fellow students in a variety of ways; participate in outreach activities; and more. The 2018-2019 Student Ambassadors were recognized for their service to the college, and the 2018-2019 Student Ambassador of the Year was named:
2018-2019 Student Ambassadors
Arielle Andrews (23805)
Haley Bendall (23842)
Julia DiMartino (23235)
Matthew Holmes (23831)
Shauna Neal (23831)
Jordan Nurney (23235)
Disha Patel (23234)
Llana Sidbury (23803)
Aimy Simbi (23224)
Student Ambassador of the Year
Alicia Alvarez (23237)
Student Activities Awards
During the past academic year, the Office of Student Activities organized or provided coordination assistance for dozens of events. These and other Student Activities’ projects were made possible with the help of several students. These students were recognized for their work:
Hunter Baker (23112)
Kalela Braxton (23225)
Kayla Dyson (23235)
Warren Ford (23114)
Alexis Gomez (23229)
Izetta Hill (23113)
Mera Khalil (23060)
Jose Ordonez Serrano (23832)
Stefanie Orth (23113)
Jonathan Patterson (23112)
Brianna Turner (23831)
Student Government Association (SGA) Recognition Awards
The members of the executive branch of Tyler’s Student Government Association were recognized for their commitment to serving the study body.
SGA President – Alicia Alvarez (23237)
SGA Vice President – Jose Ordonez Serrano (23832)
SGA Secretary – Emily Ashbrook (23860)
SGA Treasurer – Alexis Gomez (23229)
SGA Communications Coordinator – Luis Colon (23235)
Athletic Achievement Awards
The Office of Student Activities recognized two students for volunteering their time and skills to lead the college’s intramural sports teams.
Stephen Escamilla (23112)
Curt Langley (23223)
Trailblazer Award
The Trailblazer Award recognizes students who have put forth maximum effort, as they balance multiple responsibilities, such as work and family, with their classwork. This year’s recipients were:
Amy Batthany (23113)
Richard Bride (23834)
Shannon Brooks (23227)
Fred Brown (23225)
Andrea Ford (23236)
Christina Foust (23112)
Laurel Gofton (23238)
Aharon Harry (23002)
Holly Highfill (23102)
Andria Johnson (23225)
Jason Keating (23832)
Samantha Kennedy (23139)
Eileen Konkel (23113)
Kathryn Lunsford (23002)
Kimble Marshall (23803)
Catherine Measell (23235)
Jordan Nurney (23235)
Koah O'Neill (23838)
Kayla Parham (23890)
James Pegram (23803)
Monay Seals (23225)
Bryce Sizemore (23236)
Christina Thompson (23225)
Ashley Throckmorton (23139)
Michelle Wilson (23838)
Adrienne Wilson (23225)
Marion Young (23824)
Trailblazer of the Year Award
The Trailblazer of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a student. The award is presented annually to a student for outstanding performance and volunteer service to John Tyler Community College and who the faculty and staff believe will achieve great success. This year’s Trailblazer of the Year is Jorge Borges (23224). Borges moved to Virginia from New York looking for a new beginning after aging out of the foster care system. With the help of Tyler’s Great Expectations coordinator, Borges enrolled at Tyler and was accepted into the college’s nursing program after meeting its competitive admissions requirements. Now, at the end of his first year at Tyler, Borges is one of the program’s top students. Those who work with him say he is quick to provide positive feedback to his fellow students; contributes ideas; helps with planning; works hard; and during clinicals, strives to make meaningful and caring connections with patients.
Photographs taken during the ceremony may be found on Tyler’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/johntylercc/albums/72157704733391692.
John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,300 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance, a partnership between Tyler and Reynolds community colleges.