GTCC’s annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony honors over 30 students



Published on: April 25, 2024
GTCC Senior Vice President of Instruction Beth Pitonzo, Ph.D., with N,C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award winner and GTCC student Joanne Martin, and GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D.
GTCC Senior Vice President of Instruction Beth Pitonzo, Ph.D., with N,C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award winner and GTCC student Joanne Martin, and GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D.

JAMESTOWN, N.C. (April 25, 2024) – Guilford Technical Community College recently honored over 30 students at its annual Student Excellence Awards Ceremony, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and contributions to GTCC and the surrounding community.

“It is always an honor for the college to recognize so many GTCC students for their hard work toward achieving excellence,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “We know many of our students overcome barriers in their higher education journey, so to witness the hard work and perseverance of so many year after year is truly inspiring.”

The following is a breakdown of those awards:

N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award is given to one student in each of the 58 N.C. community colleges. Recipients have completed at least 12 semester credit hours in an associate degree program, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, participated in GTCC activities outside the classroom, and are progressing toward educational goals. This year’s winner from GTCC is:

  • Joanne Martin – Humanities and Social Services

Dr. Dallas Herring Achievement Award: Each year, GTCC nominates a current student or graduate for the Dr. Dallas Herring Achievement Award in acknowledgment of outstanding achievement by the individual honoring dedication, excellence, and perseverance. The award was established in 2010 as a testament to Dr. Herring’s contributions to N.C. Community Colleges. This year’s winner is:

  • Archelaus McLean – Human Services and Public Safety

SkillsUSA National Awards recognize those who excelled in the SkillsUSA championship competitions, which identify the best career and technical education students in the nation. The winners are:

  • Dustin Aldridge – Aviation Maintenance, second place
  • Lauren Lewis – Collision Damage Appraisal, first place
  • Madison Gore – Restaurant Service, second place
  • Madison Luck – Professional Portfolio, second place
  • Daisee Ayscue – Dental Assisting, second place
  • Abigail Davis – EMT, team event, first place
  • Ana Dominguez-Arias – EMT, team event first place
  • Jesus Gonzalez-Pineda – Repair, first place
  • Garrett Stefanick – HVACR, honorable mention

The Community Service Award is granted to students who are nominated by faculty or staff, maintain a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are taking curriculum classes within a program of study, and regularly participate in community activities. This year’s award winners are:

  • Bryson Nicoletta – Business, Tech, and Creative and Performing Arts
  • Ila Seamans – Business, Tech, and Creative and Performing Arts
  • Amber Ward – Health Services
  • Candy Chambers – Humanities and Social Services
  • Dylan Hanreck – Humanities and Social Services

The Perseverance Award is presented to students who are nominated by faculty or staff, maintain a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are taking curriculum classes within a program of study, and have overcome a significant challenge while enrolled at GTCC. This year’s award winners are:

  • Alexis Carrington – Health Services
  • Tabitha Ervin – Health Services
  • Charnikga Melton – Health Services
  • Evelyn Sears – Health Services
  • Archelaus McLean – Human Services and Public Safety

The Student Excellence Award is granted to students who have received a faculty or staff nomination, earned a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, are currently taking curriculum classes within an associate degree program, participates in GTCC activities outside the classroom, and are progressing toward educational and/or career goals. This year’s winners were:

  • Bradley McBride – Aviation
  • Jacob Morris – Aviation
  • Nora Long – Business Tech, and Creative Performing Arts
  • Tori Thomas – Business Tech, and Creative Performing Arts
  • Siddharth Gadhiya – Health Services
  • Emily Morales – Health Services
  • John Salas – Human Services and Public Safety
  • Deborah Taylor – Human Services and Public Safety
  • Joanne Martin – Humanities and Social Services
  • Kyla Pesayanavin – Humanities and Social Services
  • David Fechner – Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Technology
  • Jonathan Floyd – Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Technology
  • Brianna Gibbons – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Duncan Moore -- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Global Scholars of Distinction:

  • Micah Aamon
  • Christopher Delk
  • Fiona Lewis
  • Victoria Pastenes-Lira
  • Nicholas Ramaharitar
  • Marcus Repsher
  • Matt Upchurch
  • Jorge Vasquez Suarez

Model U.N.:

  • Michah Aamon
  • Daniel Khan
  • Victoria Pastenes-Lira
  • Nicholas Ramaharitar
  • Marcus Repsher
  • Jorge Vasquez Suarez

Club of the Year Award:

  • Phi Theta Kappa

Club Advisor of the Year

  • Monica Young, Phi Theta Kappa

Earlier this month, GTCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter was recognized by the national organization as a Five Star Chapter of Excellence. Nicholas Zavediuk and Scott Ilkenhons, advisors for the GTCC chapter, completed the Five Star Advisor Plan.

Also, GTCC Phi Theta Kappa member and chapter secretary Candy Chamber received a $500 regional scholarship.

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