Honors Day
Gadsden, Ala. – Gadsden State Community College held its 53rd annual Honors Day events at the Ayers Campus Learning Resource Center in Anniston and at the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center in Gadsden. The programs spanned two days in April to recognize student achievements and scholarship. Over 160 students were honored and more than $1.2 million was awarded in scholarships.
Traditionally one of the highest honors presented each spring is the Allen-Ray Award. The award, which has been presented at every Honors Day program over the past 52 years, is presented in honor of the late Sen. James B. Allen and the late Jack Ray, former CEO of the Exchange Bank of Alabama. Both men were active supporters of Gadsden State. Mariela Rios Balboa is the 2019 recipient of the Allen-Ray Award. She was presented the award by Catherine Martin, granddaughter of Jack Ray and marketing director at Exchange Bank.
Balboa is a native of Bolivia now living in Rainbow City. She received her associate degree in general studies at the May 9, 2019, commencement ceremony. She was the president of Gadsden State’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She was also a member of the Student Government Association and Students Without Borders. Balboa is one of two Gadsden State students to be named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Alabama Academic Team. In addition to the Allen-Ray Award, she received the Outstanding International Student Award at Honors Day. Balboa is continuing her education at Jacksonville State University in the respiratory therapy program.
The President’s Cup, a designated award for students who demonstrate exceptional success in all phases of college life, is presented each year to students in both the academic and technical divisions. It is given by Dr. Martha Lavender, president of Gadsden State.
Gadsden Honors Day
The Academic division recipient for the Etowah County campuses and Gadsden State Cherokee is Caely Williams of Weaver. She was a team leader for the Gadsden State Ambassadors and conducted over 50 campus tours and has volunteered at over 20 college events. She represented Gadsden State at the Alabama Women Student Leaders Conference at Troy University, and she was featured in Gadsden State’s “Start It. Finish It.” marketing campaign. Williams received the JSU Presidential Transfer Scholarship as well as the Ambassador Leadership Award at the Honors Day ceremony. A student with a 4.0 GPA, she received an Associate in Science in General Studies at the May 9, 2019, graduation. She is majoring in Communications with a specialization in Broadcast Journalism at JSU.
The Technical division recipient of the President’s Cup is Rebecca Gaston of Alexandria. She is a student ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Student Committee and Students Without Borders. She represented Gadsden State at both the Student Leadership Conference and the Alabama Women Student Leaders Conference. Gaston graduated with a degree in Salon and Spa Management in August 2019. She is currently working at a salon while continuing her education at Gadsden State. She is working on a general studies degree.
Two Gadsden area students were presented awards for outstanding achievement. The Outstanding Achievement Awards recognize students who have succeeded in pursuit of higher education in spite of varying traumas, adversities, personal losses and difficulties.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards given at the Wallace Drive Campus event went to Hannah Grantland of Southside and Jeffery Dwight Maton of Attalla. The awards were presented by Jack Mayfield, industrial automation instructor.
Grantland has much more than her academics to worry about. Because her mother is in very poor health, she is responsible for her care as well as the care of her younger brother. To make ends meet, she also works 35 hours a week while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and a full load of college courses. She graduated with honors on May 9, 2019, with an Associate in Science degree in General Studies. She is on the President’s List and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was a peer tutor for the Cardinal Tutoring Center, and she does volunteer work at UAB Medical Center and Oak Landing Assisted Living Facility in Attalla. Grantland earned the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship to UAB, where she will be a student in the nursing program. She plans to one day become a nurse practitioner.
Maton has overcome many obstacles during his lifetime, including an impoverished childhood. In 2017, his father was killed in a car accident that left his mother badly injured. Maton, who was deployed with the U.S. Navy at the time, returned to his home in Attalla to help his mother recuperate and to care for his brother and elderly grandmother. In January 2019, Maton was in a car accident that left him with a broken back and nose but he was able to complete his coursework and maintain a 3.7 GPA. He graduated in August 2019 with an Associate in Applied Science in Industrial Automation Technology.
Other award and scholarship winners recognized at Honors Day for students at the Gadsden and Centre campuses include:
•JSU Presidential Transfer Scholarship: Shelby Lowery, Tyler O’Kelley and Selena Smith, all of Alexandria; Jackson Stancil of Altoona; Jamerious Borden, Thomas Orms, Wesley Thornton, Ivy McCurley, Haley Shaw, Catheryn Ontiveros and Zackary Parker, all of Anniston; Chloe Perkins of Ashville; Abby Kell of Attalla; Seth Boutwell of Boaz; Emily Williams of Centre; Dara Crawford of Delta; Kevin Carr, Hannah Connell, Kaitlyn Johnson, Dakota Heathcock, Courtney Upton, Samantha McGatha and Kyle Willhide, all of Jacksonville; Audrey Junior, Helenia Hess, Matthew Bentley, Kayla Clark, Shenia Virden and Madelyn Wright, all of Oxford; Mary Bridges and Caely Williams, both of Weaver; Amy Johnson, Megan Haggard, Lauren Ledbetter and Brooklyn Perkins, all of Piedmont; Shaylee Elders, Randi Baker and Peighton Tavis, all of Ohatchee; Darius Stevens of Talladega; Alexis McMahan and Mallory Pollard, both of Ranburne; Jordan Reavis, Peyton Beard, Noah Campbell, Laura Lyles, Rachel Mayo, Hannah Grantland and Alexander Burnett, all of Southside; Aaron Bailey, Sydney Ball, Jake Lasseter, Hannah Swann, Andreanna Wachtler, Andrew Schomburg, Marianela Gonzalez, Mallory Huggins, Marian Hamed, Behegbin Djesse, Brionna Taylor, Maryangel Lopez-Valdivia and Adarius King, all of Gadsden; Precious Uzowuru of Nigeria; Brittany Meats and Brevyn Phillips, both of Leesburg; Devin Guyton, Kayte Parkerson, both of Hokes Bluff; Mariela Rios Balboa and Lauren Reeves, both of Rainbow City and Andrew Lang, Wei Chen, Zoe West and Jessie Fails, all of Glencoe
•University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship: Kristian Barrett of Hillsboro and Kyle Cunningham of Gadsden
•University of Alabama Community College Distinguished Scholarship: Charity Campbell and Andrew Schomburg, both of Gadsden; Alexis McMahan of Ranburne; Connor Overholtzer of Anniston; Andrew Parton of Southside; Emily Williams of Centre; and Jared D’Eath of Rainbow City
•University of Alabama PTK Honors Scholarship: Charity Campbell and Andrew Schomburg, both of Gadsden; Connor Overholtzer and Mischaela Cole, both of Anniston; Andrew Parton of Southside; Emily Williams of Centre; Taylor Hardin of Piedmont; and Jared D’Eath and Megan Fazekas, both of Rainbow City
•University of Alabama Community College Achievement Scholarship: Mischaela Cole of Anniston, Megan Fazekas of Rainbow City and Taylor Hardin of Piedmont
•University of Alabama Community College Recognition Scholarship: Shaylee Elders of Ohatchee and Zackary Parker of Anniston
•University of Alabama Tutwiler Scholarship: Andrew Schomburg of Gadsden
•University of Alabama at Birmingham Transfer Presidential Scholarship: Alexis Rich of Southside and Jared D’Eath of Rainbow City
•UAB Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Shaylee Elders of Ohatchee; Madelyn Wright and Jorge Martinez, both of Oxford; Devin Guyton of Hokes Bluff; Hannah Grantland of Southside and Devin Turner of Ragland
•UAB Transfer Excellence Scholarship: Baylor Long of Gadsden, Alexis McMahan of Ranburne and Connor Overholtzer of Anniston
•UAB Transfer Pathway Scholarship: Ivy McCurley of Anniston, Phillip Johnson of Ashville and Donovan Turner of Ragland
•Auburn University Board of Trustees Scholarship: Austin Thompson of Springville; Kristian Barrett of Hillsboro and Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont
•Auburn University Ever to Conquer Scholarship for Transfer Students: Austin Thompson of Springville and Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont
•Auburn University Claude and Ruth Carter Scholarship: Jonathan Mackey of Piedmont, Joseph Wiggins of Centre and Ethan Waters of Gadsden
•Auburn University Charles Pannell Scholarship: Camron Dowdy of Hokes Bluff
•Auburn University Campus Club First Ladies Scholarship: Mary Morris of Gadsden
•Auburn University Thomas G. Jones Scholarship: Connor Overholtzer of Anniston
•University of Alabama in Huntsville Super Scholar Transfer Scholarship: Charity Campbell of Gadsden; Mischaela Cole and Connor Overholtzer, both of Anniston; William McDowell of Cedar Bluff; Jeffrey Osborn of Altoona; Andrew Parton of Southside and Dylan Pitts of Leesburg
•UAH Transfer Merit Scholarship: Eric Juarez of Gadsden, Mason Reaves of Southside and Emma Robison of Oxford
•University of Montevallo Transfer Academic Recognition Scholarship: Peyton England of Anniston and Andrew Parton of Southside
•University of Montevallo Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Peyton England of Anniston
•University of Montevallo Transfer Minority Scholarship: Charity Campbell of Gadsden
•Athens State University Empowerment Scholarship: Justin Knight of Gadsden
•BBVA/Compass Bank Scholarship: Matthew Chandler of Anniston, Justin Pickerell of Trussville, Luke Caldwell of Jacksonville, Gregory Gunter of Ohatchee and Riley Payton of Hokes Bluff
•First Friday Forum Scholarship: Rayley Nelson and Morgan Green, both of Attalla
•Sue McMeekin Griffith Scholarship: Jacob Tyler Tibbett of Gadsden
•Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association Scholarship: Alexandra Booker of Springville and Riley Payton of Hokes Bluff
•James L. Brown Free Enterprise Scholarship: Jay Crandell of Gadsden
•Cardinal Foundation – Benjamin Steinberg Nursing Scholarship: Makenzie White of Southside
•Cardinal Foundation – Cardinals Who Give Scholarship: Brian Galimore of Attalla, Cara Anderson of Altoona and Almotasem Alnaham of Weaver
•Cardinal Foundation – Gerald Acker Scholarships: Ryan Snyder of Southside and Allen Gossett of Piedmont
•Cardinal Foundation Swoop Sprint 5K Scholarship: Caler Staub of Southside, Lisa Boone of Gadsden and Bellah McCurry of Centre
•Cardinal Foundation – Tim and Laura McCartney Career Technical Education Scholarship: Gabriel Perez of Altoona, Russ McCoy of Rainbow City and Michael Patton of Altoona
•Nell Thomas Scholarship: Emily Glascow of Ashville
•Barry Boatwright Scholarship: Brian Galimore of Attalla
•Jim Vanderford Scholarship: Jason Barnes of Wellington, Taylor Brown of Ashville and Joshua West of Springville
•W.C. West / Pentecost Scholarship: Alex Hernandez of Anniston and Christopher Moffett of Attalla
•Rena and Edgar McCord Scholarship: Jil Hunkapiller of Lineville
•Chad Hawkins Educational Foundation Scholarship: Mikayla Kendrick of Alexandria
•All-Alabama Academic Member: Mariela Rios Balboa of Rainbow City and Nadia Katbi of Gadsden
•Outstanding SGA Officer: Kerry Griffith of Gadsden
•QEP Embedded Tutor Award: Rebecca Ayers of Gadsden and Brooklyn Perkins of Jacksonville
•Outstanding Mathematics/Pre-Engineering Majors: James Austin Starr of Centre; Florence Omu of Nigeria and Jessica Nunnally and Kerry Griffith, both of Gadsden
•Lambda Epsilon Chi Paralegal Honor Society Members: Deana Breckenridge of Fairhope, Stephanie Johnson of Gadsden, Brittany Kirkland of Boaz, Elizabeth Pugatch of Attalla and Brittany Pendergraft of Steele
•Outstanding Achievement in Paralegal Studies: Deana Breckenridge of Fairhope
•Outstanding Achievement in Health Information Technology Management: Tsianina McMeekin of Leesburg
•Outstanding Achievement in Office Administration – Medical: Lauren Claire Richardson of Leesburg
•Outstanding Achievement in Accounting: Behegbin Djesse and Kyle Cunningham, both of Gadsden
•Outstanding Achievement in Computer Science: Nancy Passmore of Pell City
•Outstanding Achievement in Economics: Zoe West of Glencoe
•Outstanding Show Band Students: Devin Turner of Ragland and Matt Qualls of Hokes Bluff
•Ambassador Leadership Award: Caely Williams of Weaver
•Ambassador Service Award: Rachel Mayo of Glencoe
•Outstanding International Student: Mariela Rios Balboa of Bolivia
•Outstanding Chemistry Student: Justin Bradley of Leesburg
•Outstanding Cardinal Tutoring Center Peer Tutor Award: Coley Marlow of Gadsden and Melani Alward of Centre
•Outstanding Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Student: Rob Brantley of Springville
•Outstanding Auto Collision Repair Technology Student: Nicole Scott of Gadsden
•Outstanding Automotive Service Technology: Zane Mathis of Attalla
•Outstanding Civil Engineering Technology Student: Levi Minton of Gadsden
•Outstanding Construction Technology Student: Nicholas Smith of Pleasant Valley
•Outstanding Court Reporting Student: Megan Henson of Hokes Bluff
•Outstanding Electrical Technology Student: Levi Allen Nunnally of Hokes Bluff
•Outstanding Electronic Engineering Technology Student: Justin Moffett of Gadsden
•Outstanding Industrial Automation Technology Student: Mustafa Pointer of Gadsden
•Outstanding Mechanical Design Technology Student: Tyler Woodley of Leesburg
•Outstanding Precision Machining Student: Daniel Anderson of Boaz
•Outstanding Salon and Spa Management Student: Chloe Brumbeloe of Centre
•Outstanding Welding Technology Student: Peyton Pruett of Flat Rock
Anniston Honors Day
Dr. Martha Lavender, president of Gadsden State, awards the President's Cup to two students attending the Ayers Campus. The Academic division recipient for the Ayers Campus is Jorge Francisco Martinez of Oxford. At Gadsden State, he was an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, through which he participated in the reading program at Donehoo Elementary School and was an organizer of the Food for Thought student pantry. He has been named to the President’s List, the Dean’s List and was recognized as an Outstanding Freshman Scholar. Also at Honors Day, Martinez was awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He graduated on May 9, 2019, with a 3.77 GPA and an associate degree in general studies. He aspires to continue his education in Dentistry.
The Ayers Campus Technical division recipient of the President’s Cup is Audrey Junior of Oxford. She has two degrees from Gadsden State. She earned an Associate in Science in General Studies as a magna cum laude graduate in 2017. On May 9, 2019, she earned a second associate degree in Electronic Engineering Technologies. Junior was named Outstanding Student in Electronic Engineering Technology and also received the JSU Presidential Transfer Scholarship at Honors Day.
Like at the Gadsden area event, two area students were presented awards for outstanding achievement. The Outstanding Achievement Awards given at the Ayers Campus event went to Diego Gonzalez Corona of Heflin and Brandy Walker of Piedmont. The awards were presented by Stephanie Mayfield, tutorial coordinator for Student Support Services at the Ayers Campus.
After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Corona has been faced with many challenges, including the inability to enroll in college due to lack of proper documentation. When President Barack Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, an immigration policy giving certain rights to children brought to the country unlawfully by their guardians, Corona was able to apply to Gadsden State in 2014. Despite the new opportunities DACA brought to him, he was still ineligible for financial aid. Over the years, he has had to work two jobs while paying for as many college courses as he could afford. In addition to work and school, Corona served as a peer tutor for Gadsden State’s Student Support Services and Cardinal Tutoring Center and was a member of the Aspiring Accountants Association. He graduated in May with a 3.5 GPA and earned an Associate in Applied Science in Accounting Technologies.
At 38 years old, Walker was one of many adult learners at Gadsden State. Not only did she take a full load of courses, but she also was a wife, mother and community volunteer. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Aspiring Accountants Association. She served as a tutor for Student Support Services and the Cardinal Tutoring Center. She is also a volunteer through Eastside Baptist Church in Gadsden, where her husband is the pastor. Walker maintained a 4.0 GPA and received an Associate in Science in General Studies – Accounting at the May 9, 2019, commencement ceremony. She is continuing her education in an effort to earn a certified public accountant designation to serve as a forensic accountant.
Other winners recognized at the Honors Day for students at the Ayers campus include:
•Cardinal Foundation - Michael Scott Hatten Memorial Scholarship: Patrick Jones of Talladega
•Ambassador Service Award: Emily Smith of Weaver
•Cardinal Tutoring Center Peer Tutor Award: Elliott Sarver of Cleborne
•Outstanding Achievement in Accounting: Rebecca Boyd of Oxford
•Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Technology: Jacob Heath of Jacksonville
•Outstanding Achievement in Health Information Technology: Pamela Byrams of Fruithurst
•Outstanding Achievement in Transcription and Coding: Shelli Goodson of Anniston
•Outstanding Student in Computer Science Technology: Binh Doan of Oxford (Vietnam), Tristan Burt of Weaver and Wesley Thornton of Anniston
•Outstanding Students in History: Dana Clark of Oxford, Jonathon Camp of Ohatchee, Gracen Oswalt of Heflin, Samantha McMurray of Southside and Savannah White, Ying Mo and Tyler Johnson, all of Anniston
•Outstanding Students in Speech: Melanie Addison of Lineville, Stephen Thompson of Oxford and Ying Mo and Dezaray Dean, both of Anniston
•Outstanding Student in English: Macee Glick of White Plains
•Outstanding Math Student – McClellan Center: Trent Mobley of Heflin
•Outstanding Math Student – Ayers Campus: Rebecca Boyd of Oxford
•Outstanding Student in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology: James Wallace Bishop of Piedmont
•Outstanding Student in Drafting and Design Technology: Robert Scott McClantoc of Oxford
•Outstanding Students in Electronic Engineering Technology: Audrey Annette Junior of Oxford and Tommy Roberts of Ranburne
•Outstanding Student in Precision Machining: Abdulkarim Zettilli of Jacksonville
•Outstanding Students in Automotive Manufacturing Technology: Caleb Allen Flanagan of Gadsden and LeDerrius Willis of Wellborn
•Outstanding Students in Electrical Technology: Michael Anthony Boyd of Oxford and Trey Landon Brady of Munford
•Outstanding Student in Industrial Automation Technology: Jeffrey Haywood of Munford
•Outstanding Students in Auto Collision Repair Technology: Tavaera Burton of Anniston and Benjamin Gissendaner of Lincoln
•Outstanding Students in Welding Technology: Matthew John Chandler of Anniston, Braden Doolittle of Eastaboga and Mitchell James Reid of Lineville
•Outstanding Student in Diesel Technology: Jeffrey Dawson Dodd of Centre
•QEP Embedded Tutor Award: Darius Stevens and Candice Webb, both of Anniston
•Outstanding Student in Salon and Spa Management: Latasha Thomas of Parrish
