Students were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership skills and civic responsibility at Piedmont Community College’s (PCC) 2025 Honors Convocation ceremony held Thursday, April 17 at the Kirby Cultural Arts Complex.
“It is with great pride and admiration that we celebrate our students’ hard work and determination,” Dr. Barbara Buchanan, Vice President of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer said. “Their achievements inspire us all to aim higher and to continue striving for excellence, both in the classroom and beyond.”
The awards were presented as follows:
Mohammad Ahmed, Carleigh Oakley, Jaidyn Shumaker, Heart Wasily and Carlie White received the Golden Laurel Award. This award is given to the graduating students in the Associate in Arts program with the highest grade point average.
Paige Alaimo received the Clio Award. This honor is given to the student who demonstrates excellence in History.
MJ Smith and KamiLee Lawrence were awarded the Erasmus Award, acknowledging their outstanding work in a Humanities class and for exhibiting the essential spirit of the humanities: devotion to inquiry, wide-ranging curiosity and a generous commitment to discussion.
Makayla Massimo, Victoria West and Khaliah Woods received the Excellence in English Award. This award is given to students who demonstrate consistent excellence in English classes.
Marianna Ramirez was given the Outstanding Orator Award. This award is given to the student who excels in the subject of Public Speaking.
Duston Starr was awarded the Maslow Award, an honor that is given to the students in a Social or Behavioral Science course who have demonstrated a personal quest for self-actualization by pursuing their personal happiness and fulfillment.
Edwin Fernandez received the STEM Momentum Award. This award is given to a student in the Associate in Science program that demonstrates great effort and promise in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) field and has also been recognized by their instructor for their hard work and diligence.
Miranda Hancock, Ember Jones, Anayeli Lara, Alejandra Cabrera Paredes, Rachel Sukkar and Kaitlyn Wrenn received the Excellence in STEM Award, given to students graduating from the Associate in Science program with the highest GPA.
Ember Jones was awarded the Outstanding Chemist Award. This award is given to the students with the highest GPA beginning in Chemistry 151 and continuing through mid-term Chemistry 152.
Grayson Weaver received the Outstanding Biologist Award. This award is given to the student with the highest GPA beginning in Biology 111 and continuing through mid-term Biology 112.
Mohammad Ahmed and Ean Cavalier were awarded the Outstanding Mathematician Award. This award is given to the student with the highest GPA a Math course sequence.
Outstanding Graduate Awards were given to:
- Erin Vaughan (Teacher Preparation)
- Savana Myatt (College & Career Readiness)
- Cameron Oakley (Accounting and Finance)
- Mary Ann Peterson (Business Administration)
- Allyson Humphries (Information Technology)
- Cassidy Futch (Digital Effects and Animation Technology)
- Wolfgang Huber (General Occupational Technology)
- Caleb Pulliam (Mechatronics Engineering Technology)
- Tremarion Stanton ( Welding – Person County Campus)
- Elijah Thomas (Welding – Person County Campus)
- Chandlier T. Placer (Welding – Caswell County Campus)
- Heidi Davis (Cosmetology)
- Kyaya Hughes (Cosmetology)
- Shawna Phelps (Criminal Justice)
- Duston Starr (Criminal Justice)
- Cody Evans (EMT/Paramedic Programs)
- April Stewart (Healthcare Management Technology)
- Jennin Childers (Human Services Technology)
- Antica Lukey (Nurse Aide – Caswell County Campus)
- Kayla Morrison (Nurse Aide – Person County Campus)
- Shelby Ramos Rodriguez (Nursing)
- Courtland Salter (Nursing)
- Brandy Majors (Practical Nursing)
- Brad Young (Public Safety Administration)
Outstanding Student Awards were given to:
- Shari Clayton (Teacher Preparation)
- Jayden Jones (College & Career Readiness)
- Carrie Webster (Accounting and Finance)
- Jonathan Fuller (Agribusiness Technology)
- Travis Clark (Business Administration)
- Zoe Holsonback (Information Technology)
- Katrina Brendle (Digital Effects and Animation Technology)
- Christopher Hassell (General Occupational Technology)
- Donald Lewis Hutchins (Gunsmithing)
- Kalin Blount (Mechatronics Engineering Technology)
- Dylan Goodman (Welding – Caswell County Campus)
- Iris Wilkerson (Cosmetology)
- Carleigh Robison (Criminal Justice)
- MacKenzie Johns (EMT/Paramedic Programs)
- Tabitha Smith (Human Services Technology)
- Tracy Rodriguez (Nurse Aide – Caswell County Campus)
- Aniya Hicks (Nurse Aide – Person County Campus)
Graduates from the Scholars of Global Distinction program were recognized. Global Distinction Scholars study cultures, communities and countries other than their own in their coursework and engage in extra-curricular examinations of the interconnectedness of cultures through Passport programs and self-guided global experiences. The unique opportunity of being a Scholar of Global Distinction helps students to stand out among their peers in future endeavors and shows a clear commitment to the engaging and robust understanding of the interconnectedness of the world.
This year’s graduates are:
- Paige Jay
- Citlalli Martinez-Murrietta
- Kirklyn Owen
- Eva Peterson
- Raynor
- Calleigh Sleger
- MJ Smith
- Carlie White
Carrie Webster was awarded the Pinnacle Award. This award is given to the students who demonstrate the positive attributes of responsible leadership in the Business Studies and Emerging Technologies Programs of study.
The Learning Commons Champion Award was given to Daivs Garrett and Fernanda Gonzalez Mejia for the Person County Campus and Ember Jones for the Caswell County Campus. This award is given to students who strive to exceed their potential by using the Learning Commons throughout their academic journey.
The following students received the Career and College Promise (CCP) Bright Star Award:
- Mohammad Ahmed for Bartlett Yancey Senior High School
- Quinn Brantley for Caswell County Home School
- Trevquan Gary for Person High School
- Samantha Rasmussen for Person County Home School
- Kirklyn Owen for Roxboro Community School
These students participated in the Career and College Promise Program and demonstrated the following character traits: care, respectfulness, integrity, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty, initiative, and perseverance. They also demonstrate good leadership and teamwork.
Brittany McGee received the Excellence in Clinical Medical Assisting Award. McGee’s instructor noted that she embodies hard work, dedication and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Vanessa Garcia and Okinawa Glanton received the Excellence in Clinical Associate Degree Nursing Award. This award is presented to graduates who exemplify professionalism and care in the clinical setting.
LaTosha Williams was awarded the Excellence in Clinical Practical Nursing Award. Her instructor noted that she consistently demonstrated outstanding clinical skills and a deep commitment to providing compassionate care.
Bryan Hughes was awarded the Educational Opportunity Centers Award. This award is presented to a student who has succeeded in their educational journey to completion of their goals.
Autumn Mitchell received the First-Generation Strong Award. This award is given to a student who has identified as being the first in their family to enroll in post-secondary training and demonstrates excellence in their course of study and persisting through their first academic school year.
Hayley Ale was awarded the Pacer Leadership Award. This award is presented to a student leader in an active club or organization who demonstrates characteristics of outstanding leadership and service to the College community.
Jeremiah Senegal received the Student Leadership Academic Excellence Award. This award is presented to students who actively participated in the campus community or were in a leadership role in a club or organization during the 2024-2025 academic year and achieved a 3.5 GPA.
Shawna Phelps received the PACER Courage Award. This award is given to outstanding students whose exceptional determination and perseverance have enabled them to pursue their academic goals.
Travis Clark was awarded the Keeping the Pace Award. This award is given to students who have excelled in their academic journey by completing multiple semesters of full-time enrollment while following the recommended teaching sequence as suggested by their advisor.
Luke Perkins received the Extra Effort Award. This award is presented to an outstanding Accessibility Services student who serves as a model for others in the areas of access, accessibility and/or inclusion of students with disabilities.
Kyaya Hughes, Autumn Mitchell, Emma Mitchell and Kayla Rice were recognized as the 2024-2025 PCC Foundation Student Ambassadors. These students were nominated by PCC faculty members to serve as representatives of the College based on their grade point average, leadership potential and communication skills.
Bennie Clayton was presented the Alumnus of the Year Award. This award is presented annually by the PCC Foundation to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to, and support for, the College. Nominees must have successfully completed a degree, diploma or certificate program at PCC and have achieved significant success in their professional career as well as made meaningful contributions to civic and community affairs.
Clayton is a dedicated local business owner and founder of Elysian Salon Group. He has made a lasting impact on both PCC and the local business community. His unwavering commitment to mentoring future cosmetologists, his exemplary leadership and his active community involvement highlight his dedication to service and growth at PCC and in the community.
For more photos of the 2025 Honors Convocation, visit PCC’s Facebook page. The Honors Convocation recording can be found on PCC’s YouTube channel.
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