"Evening of Excellence" Salutes Top Walters State Students
April 24, 2024
Students Honored for Academic Distinction
Kelly Nguyen, a sophomore biology major from Sevierville, received the President’s Outstanding Student Award during Walters State’s 2024 “Evening of Excellence” awards banquet.
Nguyen plans a career as a pediatric anesthetist. She is vice president of Phi Theta
Kappa and served as an Earl Rowe Scholarship Tutor. She was also named to the All-Tennessee
Academic Team and is a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar.
Katherine Kelly of Pigeon Forge was named the Outstanding Sevier County Campus Student.
William House of Greeneville was named the Outstanding Niswonger Campus Student. Aftan
N. Payne of Tazewell was named the Outstanding Claiborne County Campus Student and
Melody Hawkins of Morristown was named the Outstanding Morristown Campus Student.
Ansley M. Cox of Jefferson City was honored as the outstanding student in the associate
of science, general studies program. This is the college’s most popular program, designed
for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions.
Channing A. Bearden of Nashville and Ethan E. Coleman of Church Hill received the
Faculty Senate Scholarship. Mackenzie Allen of Sevierville received the President’s
Art Choice Award for her painting, “Blue Tiger Moth.” Allen received a stipend and
her painting will hang in the president’s office for the next year.
Nineteen students were honored for graduating from Middle College, a program that
allows high school students to earn an associate degree while completing high schools.
Those students are Breanna V. Mason, Harrogate; Hallie O. Myers, Newport; William
Houser, Greeneville; David E. Berry, Caleb L. Daniels, Aubrey L. Mullins, Nicholas
H. Sexton and Adrian Tellez Pacheco, all of Morristown; Haley E. Goodfriend, Whitesburg;
Wyatt P. Woosley, Talbott; Kathryn A. Frank and Susannah A. Lauer, both of White
Pine; Bradon C. Griffin, Mason B. Moore, Dhruv Patel and Liana M. Taylor, all of Dandridge;
Chloe L. Eidson and Molley E. Jackson, both of Rogersville; and Tamya W. Huggins,
Pigeon Forge.
Academic Awards
Pre-Engineering: Madeline G. Rockrohr, Rockfield, Kentucky, and William Houser, Greeneville.
Mathematics: Naomi Z. Merrill, Chuckey.
History: Jaime B. Crabtree, Newport.
Education: Emily M. Hall, Dandridge.
Early Childhood Education, Tabatha D. Carpenter, Newport.
Psychology, Sociology, Social Work: Carly Ann Williams, Cosby.
Computer Programming: Nathaniel E. Barnard, Thorn Hill.
Computer Networking: Timothy M. Bates, Morristown.
Culinary Arts: Aaron J. Benson, Rutledge.
Accounting: Tiffany B. Carmody, Sevierville.
Paralegal Studies: Kai H. Collins, Cumberland Gap.
Agriculture: Cadence M. Gregg, Newport.
Hospitality Management: Joshua L. Middleton, Tazewell.
Management: Katelyn N. O'Dell, Talbott.
Production Horticulture: Suzana J. Roderick, Jefferson City.
Engineering Technology: Elliot C. Worthington, Russellville.
Medical Insurance Specialist: Denise Bellion, Russellville.
Health Information Management: Lilia A. Clark, Kingsport.
Medical Coding: Brandy Roberts, Morristown.
Occupational Therapy Assistant: Michaela L. Edwards, Johnson City.
Nursing, Sevier County Campus: Sevierville: Valerie Felipe, Sevierville.
Nursing, Morristown Campus Spring Class, Brandt M. Marinelli, Sneedville.
Nursing, Morristown Campus Fall: Emmy M. Mayville, Knoxville.
Nursing, Career Mobility: Hannah F. Romeike, Talbott.
Nursing, Niswonger Campus: Lauren M. Smith, Afton.
Respiratory Therapy: Aimee C. Matarangolo, Morristown.
Surgical Technology: Ana E. Price, Jefferson City.
Pharmacy Tech, Advanced: Patrick R. White, Sevierville.
Pharmacy Tech, Entry Level: Emily P. Wine, New Tazewell.
Physical Therapist Assistant: Haley L. Williams, Blountville.
Chemistry: Coye T. Connell, Sevierville.
Biology: Ella G. Moore, Chuckey.
Physics: William M. Houser, Greeneville.
Criminal Justice: Jeremiah D. deBeaumont, Tazewell.
Paramedic: Ashley R. Wooliver, New Market.
Digital Media: Chloe M. Bingham, Jefferson City.
Studio Arts: Clay V. Branton, Sevierville and Megan D. Dunn, Sevierville.
Essays of Excellence: Jeremy R. Haas, Newport.
Music: Caitlynn N. Hopkins, Newport, and Bing Xue, Sevierville.
“Gallery” Co-Editors: Lauren E. Kongchan, Morristown, and Danielle F. Porter, Talbott.
Spanish: Elena B. Mendez, Sevierville.
Creative Writing: Laura A. Petry, Blaine.
English: Amanda E. Ramsey, Chuckey.
Debate: Hannah G. Stoneman, Knoxville.
Outstanding Student Athletes
Golf: Christian Sloan Brooks, Morristown, and Ian G. Kinsey, Cleveland.
Baseball: Taylor J. Harris, Acworth, Georgia.
Softball: Haidyn B. Campbell, Manchester.
Women’s Cross Country: Julianne H. Dodson, Morristown.
Men’s Cross Country: Brando Aguas Resendiz, Morristown.
Esports: Daniel R. English, New Tazewell.
Men’s Basketball: John Carter Metz, Rogersville.
Women’s Basketball: Liana M. Wright, Morristown.
Volleyball: Madeline G. Rockrohr, Rockfield, Kentucky.