GOOD NEWS: Names in the News May 25, 2022

GRADUATES

Angelica Valenzuela of Odessa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education from Utah State University, Logan Utah, during the spring semester.

South Plains College of Levelland has named spring graduates.

The following local students earned degrees and certificates:

  • Odessa: Mitchell Estep, Welding Certificate – Advanced Processes; Francisco Muniz, AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant.
  • Alpine: Aaliyah Fierro, AS in Business Administration.
  • Andrews: Ibrahim Carrasco, AAS in Sound Technology and a Sound Technology – Reinforcement Certificate; Paxton Hair, AA in General Studies.
  • Goldsmith: Kristal Wight, AAA in Commercial Music and a Commercial Music Certificate – Advanced Performance.
  • Lamesa: Anthony Contreras, AS in Pre-Engineering; Klaudia Medrano, Cosmetology Certificate.
  • McCamey: Abel Armendarez, AAT in Teaching (Secondary Education).
  • Rankin: Titan Quigg, AA in Psychology.
  • Seagraves: Soledad Bueno, AS in General Studies; Jadyn Conde, Sound Technology – Fundamental Skills; Taylor Carter, AS in General Studies; Angelica Gonzales, AAS in Associates Degree Nursing; Maria Lozano, AA in General Studies.
  • Seminole: Brenden Baker, AA in General Studies; Bradley Bowen, HART Certificate – Residential A/C Installation; Bianca Galvan, AA in Criminal Justice; Randy Galvan, AAS in Associates Degree Nursing; Samantha Gutierrez, AA in Psychology; Jayda Heppner, AAT in Teaching (Secondary Education); Justin Knelsen, Computer Aided Drafting & Design Certificate – Basic Skills; Yesina Marchan, AA in Psychology; Kelsey Minier, AAS in Associates Degree Nursing; Jacklyn Olivarez, AA in General Studies; Kynedy Rosalez, AAS in Associates Degree Nursing; Aspyn Ruthardt, AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant; Amy Schmitt, Cosmetology Certificate; Elisa Soliz, Vocational Nursing Certificate.

DEAN’S LIST

Alexis Allen of Odessa has been named to the Dean’s List at Belmont University for the spring semester.

Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Atenna King of Fort Stockton has been named to the Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, N.H.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 are named to the Dean’s List.

Several students from Odessa and surrounding areas have been named to the President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, N.H., during the spring semester.

  • Honored students are: Autumn Perales and Sarah Flores, both of Odessa; Jaime Lopez of Alpine; Raquel Montanez, Michelle Stamper and Esmeralda Mendoza, all of Andrews; and Kasandra Primera of Midland.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above are named to the President’s List.

AWARD

Krystyn Irby of Odessa was recently presented with the Distinguished Student Award at Angelo State University, San Angelo.

Irby attends Archer College of Health and Human Services.

INITIATED/INDUCTED

Christine Campos of Odessa was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Campos was initiated at University of North Texas.

Campos is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Kassandra Jo Acosta of Alpine was among 28 inducted to the Angelo State University’s chapter of the Order of the Sword & Shield national honor society.

Acosta is majoring in Criminal Justice/ Psychology at Angelo State.

The Order of the Sword & Shield is the only academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity, homeland security, intelligence, emergency management and all protective security disciplines. The ASU chapter was chartered in 2015 and is one of only 92 Official Academic Chapters in the U.S., including just five chapters in Texas.

To be eligible for induction, students must be majoring in homeland security, intelligence or other protective security field at an accredited institution of higher education, and must have completed at least 50% of the credit hours required for graduation. Undergraduate students must have at least a 3.25 grade point average (GPA), and graduate students must have at least a 3.5 GPA. Students are inducted by invitation and only after recommendation by at least two faculty members.

SPORTS AWARDS

Crockett Middle School has named the following honor award recipients.

  • Eighth grade, outstanding female athlete: Mya Hernandez.
  • Eighth grade, outstanding male athlete: Andrew Rodriguez.
  • Eighth grade, MVP volleyball: Karisa Chavez.
  • Eighth grade, MVP basketball: Mya Hernandez, Daniel Lujan.
  • Eighth grade, MPV cross country: Mya Hernandez, Rolando Carrasco.
  • Eighth grade, MVP track: Mya Hernandez.
  • Eighth grade, outstanding soccer: Marleen Ramirez, Julian Garcia.
  • Eighth grade, Impact Player of the eighth grade: Humberto Torres.
  • Seventh grade, outstanding male athlete: Aiden Rodriguez.
  • Seventh grade, Impact Player of the Year: Adriel Hernandez Galindo.