Annual Student Awards Ceremony Highlights Student Achievement

Blackhawk President Tracy Pierner, left, with Student of the Year Passion Tann.

Blackhawk Technical College honored its students who have made an impact through academics, involvement in student organizations and leadership at its annual Student Awards Ceremony on Tuesday evening.

“You continue to make us all proud, and I sincerely hope you feel the same – proud of yourselves, your accomplishments and also proud to call Blackhawk Technical College your college and soon-to-be alma mater,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, Blackhawk President.

Passion Tann, a Business Management student, was named Student of the Year. Tann is the parliamentarian of the Student Government Association and an active member of Business Professionals of America.

“Blackhawk has given me so many opportunities to grow as a person – emotionally, mentally and professionally as well. I came to Blackhawk as one person, and I’m coming out completely different. Thank you for everything that you’ve given me,” Tann said.

The Criminal Justice Association was honored with the Student Organization of the Year, and students who received the Outstanding Student Workers award were Rebecca Barnett, Natalia Gonzalo, Lee Haralson, Ashley Hissong, Jason Hunt, Cassi Jean Weldy, Hal Kerr, Leslie Lavariega, Kaylee Meade-Huges, Celeste Salazar, Cheyenne Spade, Passion Tann and Zach Tuma.

Derek Ping was honored with the Student Tutor award, and Celeste Salazar and Sierra Vogel were recognized as Outstanding Student Interns.

The Student Leadership Awards were given to students who have participated in Blackhawk student organizations. Students who received this award have gone above and beyond by providing exemplary leadership within their organizations through a variety of roles, projects, events and competitions. The winners were as follows:

• Business Professionals of America: Darious Hayes and Tierra Hayes
• Monroe Activities: Jason Hunt
• Multi-Cultural Alliance: Rebecca Barnett and Cheyenne Spade
• Professional Agricultural Students: Jason Hunt and Leslie Reinke
• Student Government Association: Rebecca Barnett
• Student Nurses Association: Charnetha Bell-Johnson

Students also were honored for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Those who received this award have demonstrated academic excellence in their credit program and were nominated by their instructors. Students were selected based on leadership qualities, academic performance and participation in coursework.

Those honored were as follows: Lisa Anderson, Haley Bain, Harminder Bhatoya, Haleigh Bosin, Breanna Brooks, Abe Clark, Kylie Cole, Cailynn Cooley, Bridget Deltgen, Amanda Draeving, Nancy Espana, Sara Gibson, Natalia Gonzalo, Tara Greely, Veronica Hatch, Owen Heussner, Gavin Jenson, Rylee Kerl, Lauren Liva, Kristin Luchsinger, Kaleb Manthei, Tyler Mathias, Maria Mielke, Elizabeth Nguyen, Brian Nunn, Derek Pin, Nick Risseeuw, Emily Roessler, Sarah Rogalla, Bjorn Unseth, Julianna Verduzco, Sierra Vogel, Travis Vogel and Tove Westermeyer.

Students also honored Patricia Aronson, Nursing instructor and advisor of the Student Nurses Association, as Faculty of the Year. Devon Timblin, an academic advisor, was named Staff of the Year.

The ceremony included a new award – Student Organization Advisor of the Year. This inaugural award went to Ann Forbeck, a Career Coach on Blackhawk’s Recruitment Team, who advises the Phi Theta Kappa student organization.

Accolades were also given to Business Professional Association members who competed in BPA’s state competition. These students will go on to compete at the national competition next week. Students involved in the Professional Agricultural Society who won state awards and qualified for national competitions were also recognized.

Business Professionals of America State Competition winner: Marcus Evans, Passion Tann, Cheyenne Spade, Darious Hayes and Tierra Hayes.