Walters State Celebrates Outstanding Students
April 26, 2023
Walters State Community College celebrated outstanding students with its annual Academic Awards Banquet on April 25.
Sarah King of Russellville was named the President’s Outstanding Student, the highest honor given to a student. She also received the academic award for math and student athlete award for softball. A math major, she is part of the “Grow Your Own” program with the Hamblen County School System for future teachers.
Brandi Patrick of Morristown received the President’s Choice Art Award, Her painting, “Flowers,” has been purchased and will hang on campus.
Samantha Gonzales and Sean Macklin, both of Sevierville were named the outstanding student on the Sevier County Campus. Kylie E. Keffer of Greeneville was named the outstanding student on the Niswonger Campus and Joshua D. Menza of Tazewell was named the outstanding student on the Claiborne County Campus.
Emma Bowen of Morristown was honored as Student Government Association President and Mariah Dalton of Mooresburg was recognized as president of the Senators Pages.
The Faculty Senate Scholarship was awarded to Trystin P. Carr of Sevierville and Alyson P. Noe of Rutledge.
Eight Dual Enrollment College graduates were recognized. These students have earned associate degrees from Walters State while completing high school: Annika C. Franklin of Greeneville; Adison K. Beeler of Thorn Hill; Joshua D. Menza of Tazewell; RaeEllen M. Coffey of New Tazewell; Haley L. Lebert of Sharps Chapel; Avery J. Watson of Sevierville; Juliet S. Didenko of Sevierville; and Briana C. Polk of Morristown.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Early Childhood Education: Anita Bremer, Dandridge
Education: Cassidy M. Glenn, Kodak
General Studies: Lauren Van Dee, Sevierville
History: Kristen N. Cansler, Greeneville and Isabella Shults, Morristown
Social Sciences: Faith Rollar, Dandridge
Business and Technical Education
Accounting: Ashton C. Charpentier, Morristown
Agriculture: Hannah R. Brown, Fall Branch
Business Management: Martha Wilson, White Pine
CIT Networking: Gabriel W. King, Seymour
CIT Programming: Stephen Britt, New Market
Culinary Arts: Madisen Madewell, McMinnville
Engineering Technology, Joel B. Sanders, Russellville
Hospitality Business: Georgette Johnson, Sevierville
Paralegal Studies: Paige D. DeRidder, Newport
Production Horticulture: Caitlyn G. Shelton, Kingsport
Health Programs
Nursing Career Mobility: Madison Blount, Newport
Nursing, Morristown Campus: Meredith B. Hodges, Rutledge
Nursing, Morristown Campus: Hannah Lamb, Bean Station
Nursing, Niswonger Campus: Alexis D. Zockoll, Greeneville
Nursing, Sevier County Campus: MacKenzie Hamilton, Seymour
Health Information Management: Alvina Kitchen, Newport
Medical Coding: Melissa Bolling, Morristown, and Melissa Fifield, Rutledge
Medical Insurance Specialist: Tiffany L. Fox, Newport
Pharmacy Technician, Entry Level: Rachel Sharp, Sharp’s Chapel
Occupational Therapist Assistant: Kaylyn M. Denton, Morristown
Physical Therapist Assistant: Sean Van Buren, Johnson City
Respiratory Care: Kaitlinh Shelton, Johnson City
Surgical Technology: Elizabeth Parton, Pigeon Forge, and Christian Serrianne, Greeneville
Humanities
Creative Writing: Kaitlyn Marshall, Russellville
Debate: Cayden Keltgen, Talbott
Digital Media: Kevin G. Murray, Knoxville
English: Rachael Nester, Morristown
Essays of Excellence: Laura Petry, Blaine
Outstanding “Gallery” Staff Member: Vickie E. Johnson, Knoxville
Philosophy: John T. McKenzie, Cleveland
President’s Choice Art Award: Brandi Patrick, Morristown
Spanish: Elizabethanne G. Duncan, Sevierville
Visual Arts: Stacy Ledford, Rutledge
Mathematics
Mathematics: Sarah King, Russellville
Pre-Engineering: Patrick Ryan Bender of Hendersonville
Natural Science
Biology: Gretchan E. Greene, Morristown
Chemistry: Maria Khilchenko, Sevierville
Physics: Barrett E. Crawley, Gatlinburg
Public Safety
Criminal Justice: James Dale, Jefferson City
Chemistry: Maria Khilchenko, Sevierville
Paramedic: Hallie G. DeMayo, Morristown
Student Athlete Academic Awards
Baseball: Patrick Ryan Bender, Hendersonville
Golf: John T. McKenzie, Cleveland
Men’s Basketball: Malachi Hale, Kingsport
Women’s Basketball: Maiya Reed, Atoka
Men’s Cross Country: Lucas Greineder, Greeneville
Women’s Cross Country: Molly Wright, Morristown
Softball: Sarah King, Russellville
Volleyball: Lora Greenlee, Morristown
In the photo: Sarah King, a math major from Russellville, was named the President's Outstanding Student during Walters State's annual Awards Banquet. From left are Dr. Donna Seagle, vice president of academic affairs; King; and Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State.