Students honored at awards ceremony
Awards are presented to honor students at SCC for their hard work and achievements during the school year.
John Glidden, Staff Writer
May 11, 2012
Filed under On campus
On Wednesday, May 9, approximately 40 student leaders received recognition for outstanding achievement in service and/or academics at Solano Community College.
The event held in the campus theater was heavily attended by family, and friends of those students receiving awards.
“We are so glad that so many of you have come to join us to honor some of the most outstanding students we have at Solano Community College,” said Jowel Laguerre, superintendent/president of SCC. “The support you get as students, the support you get from your parents, the support you get from your loved ones is really very special.”
Lily Espinoza, dean of the school of human performance and & development, presented an award to Dustin Aubert. Aubert is currently waiting to hear about admission to Occidental College.
Scott Ota, webmaster at Solano College, presented the technology services & support award to Naser Baig.
“Naser has been a great student and a first-class web developer. He is a great student and citizen for our county,” said Ota.
Jeffery Lamb, interim dean of school of liberal arts, presented an award to Adam Wayne Gistarb.
“(Gistarb) wants to be a film maker. To achieve this, he has set out to master acting. He is a great collaborator,” said Lamb.
In addition, Lamb presented the journalism award to Sharman Bruni.
“Currently, she (Bruni) is working as the editor-in-chief for The Tempest, our college newspaper, and has done a great job leading that team of student journalists towards national recognition,” said Lamb.
Betsy Julian, dean of sciences, presented 15 different awards to students in various science and math divisions.
Megan Crawford received the award in biology. “Megan is one of the genuine winners who will have a stellar career and make her mark on the world,” Julian said.
Khon Tram won an award for the math activities center (MAC). “He is an exceptional worker in the MAC with a strong work ethic,” Julian said.
Parsa Mahmoudieh won the award for best overall student in science and math. He hopes to transfer to UC Berkeley with a major in mechanical engineering.
Iralyn Eleazar received the award for best overall student in chemistry and biology. “(Eleazar) is one of our main dissectors, and works as a tutor for our other students,” said Julian.
Christopher Wagner received the award in water/wastewater. “(Wagner) is an outstanding student who works hard to achieve perfection in his courses,” said Julian.
James Loesch received the award in psychology. Loesch is a psychology major who intends to attend San Francisco State University.
Zvi Davidoff received the award in physics. “(Davidoff) is an outstanding student who meticulous and a perfectionist. He has been accepted into UC Berkeley and UC Davis for the fall of 2012 with a major in mechanical engineering,” said Julian.
Caleb Morrison received an award in engineering. He will be transferring to UC Davis in the fall with a major in aerospace engineering.
Joseph Zapantis received the award in GIS (geographic information systems). “He founded the Solano Community Recycle Club, and has been passionate about expanding recycling on campus and making our campus greener,” said Julian.
Leah Ferrell received the MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) award. Ferrell is majoring in biology and wants to go into medicine.
Joshua Cox received the math award. “(Cox) is now in differential equations and has distinguished himself in all of his courses, and is constantly trying to understand the concepts involved,” Julian said.
Jerica Duey received the other math award. “(Duey) has been a stellar tutor in the MAC where she works well with students of all levels,” said Julian.
Justin Hocke received the biotechnology award. “Whatever Justin decides to do with his life, there is no question that he will not only succeed but he will be remembered by those he touched along the way,” said Julian.
The human service award was given to Colleen Brewer. “(Brewer’s) successful completion of human services courses has prepared her to serve diverse populations with competence, diligence, and integrity,” Julian said.
Kayla Salazar received the award in geology. “(Salazar) exemplifies the dreams of an instructor for her student with her enthusiasm, leadership, and academic progress,” Julian said.
Laguerre, president of Solano College, presented awards from his office to Arturo Castillo, Abraham Gacad, Mathew Pinkerton-Lloyd, Imani Dhahabu, Silva Murguia, and Anamaria Eljach for their work building a school in Haiti.
“This could be called a humanitarian award,” said Laguerre.
Mary ‘Lexi’ Parmer received one of the three Vallejo center awards, and was nominated by math professor of Solano College, Kheck Sengmany.
“She was in my calculus 2 class last semester and she got an ‘A’ in the class, which is very hard to do. While she was taking my calculus 2 class she was taking physics, and student trustee on the governing board,” said Sengmany.
Professor of criminal justice, Sarah Nordin presented a Vallejo center award to Topaz Hayden.
“(Hayden) is excellent, she is always in class, she is never late, she has two children, and she is just a shining light in our class. We wouldn’t have class without her,” Nordin said.
Speech professor, Rachel Dwiggins-Beeler presented the final Vallejo center award to Gyantri Millena.
“(Millena) helps students in class to find their voices, this serves her well. She plans on transferring to Sac State in counseling but she does all of this while managing her family, and serves in the armed forces, which is truly a testament to who she is,” said Dwiggins-Beeler.
Lisa Raquel, administrative assistant at the Vacaville center, presented awards to Corey Bennet, and Sung-Hong Ma. Both are student workers at the Vacaville Center.
Bennet is a re-entry student who hopes to receive a degree in creative writing.
Sung-Hong Ma’s goal is to be a medic in the United States Army.
Maire Morinec, dean of school of career technical education and business presented awards to Noelia Soto, Anthony Thomas, and Jesus Real.
Soto was nominated by the nursing faculty. Thomas was nominated by Richard Kleeberg, business professor. Real won the award for physical education.
Marcie McDaniels, counselor at Solano College, presented awards to Hardik Parikh and Angelica Arias for outstanding service in counseling as student workers.
Karen McCord, professor of psychology and ethnic studies coordinator, presented awards to Edward Clark, Simond Jones, and Earl Taylor.
Clark is graduating this year and was accepted into San Jose University, majoring in animation and illustration.
Jones and Taylor are members of the African-American Male Scholars Program at Solano College.
McCord also presented the minority coalition award to Kelcey Cromer. Cromer is psychology major who intends to transfer to a four-year university and receive a degree. After, she intends to receive a doctorate degree.
