Student Awards Ceremony Returns to SMC Stage

After a three-year absence, students and their families and supporters once again gathered in Gibbs Auditorium for the annual Student Awards Celebration. Dozens of awards were given to students for their achievements this school year as the crowd cheered and showed their support.

“It’s always rewarding to be acknowledged for your hard work and achievement, but it’s so much better when those accolades come in person,” said Provost Dr. Curt Laird. “The smiles on the students’ faces were so satisfying. They deserve to be celebrated in front of their peers and families.”

More than 40 awards were handed out on the evening recognizing academic, athletic, community, and civic achievements. Faculty, staff, and administrators handing out the awards were just as emotional and excited as the students for the opportunity to provide the in-person recognition.

The following awards were handed out at the event:

Business Award – Associate in Business: Hannah Autry and Cecilia Blair

Excellence in Business Award – BA: Karly Kirkley

Excellence in Accounting: Geovana Batres

Excellence in Marketing and Sales: Drake Taber

Excellence in Management and Entrepreneurship: Heather Harris

Charles Moss Award for Associate in Criminal Justice: Racquel Talley

Excellence in Criminal Justice Studies for BA: Julia Leso

A.G. Carter Literary Award: Rosio Gonzalez and Cecilia Blair

A.J.R. Helmus Foundation Awards for Poetry:

• First: Aidan Simmons
• Second: Ervin Kelly
• Third: Ervin Kelly
• Honorable Mention: Aidan Simmons and Demajae Tyquan Smith

Blue Granite Review Awards in Art and Photography:

• First: Tiffany DeMint
• Second: Eva Nix
• Third: Gabriel Hammond
• Honorable Mention: Kahleag Terry

Blue Granite Review Awards in Prose (Fiction):

• First: Leo Kingsley
• Second: Patrick Van Winkle
• Third: Noah Bridges

Blue Granite Review Awards in Prose (Non-Fiction):

• First: Livingston Hawkins III
• Second: Cecilia Blair
• Third: Leo Kingsley
• Honorable Mention: Cody Fortier

Outstanding English Student in the BA Program: Patrick Van Winkle

The Trailblazer (Journalism) Award: Andrew Hawkins

Paul Lofton History Award: Gabriel Logan Catoe

Music Department Award for Excellence: Conor DePaoli

Outstanding Drama Student: Matthew Simmons and Corrine Wilson

Religious Studies Award: Megan Henderson

Katherine Cann Social Science Award: Amaya Duckett

Pete Aylor Psi Beta Award: Joshua Golden

Psychology Award – Associate in Psychology: Martha Hooper

Psychology Award – BA: Amaya Duckett

Chemistry Award: Payton Allen

Norma Jean Miller Scholarship: Makenzie Simmons

Outstanding Pioneer Awards: Rhogue Wallace and Tayla Reini

Williams-Garcia, Xvibes Member of the Year: Amaya Duckett

SGA Member of the Year: Michael Thomas

Upper Campus Community Assistant of the Year: Rio Stewart

Central Campus Community Assistant of the Year: Kahlil Johnson

Lower Campus Community Assistant of the Year: Olivia Jackson

Pioneer Ambassador Superior Senior Award: Payton Leonard

Pioneer Ambassador “Most Consistent Player” Award: Sidney Russell

Pioneer Ambassador Rising Star Award: Georgia Roberts

Thomas R. Bailey Humanitarian Award: Georgia Roberts

Ella Jordan Lynn Award: Olivia Jackson

Reverend Samuel Haywood Poston Award: Michael Thomas

Achievement Award – Service: Raven McCarroll

Achievement Award – Academics: Henzel Silva

Achievement Award – Leadership: Livingston Hawkins III

Achievement Award – Athletics: Hannah Maddox

Outstanding Freshman Award: Cabria Fernanders-Camp

American Legion Award – Male: Jabaree Ackbar

American Legion Award – Female: Amaya Duckett

Travis Eiler General Excellence Award: Abbegale Miller

Olin D. Johnston Good Citizenship Award: Payton Leonard