Sandhills Community College recognized outstanding student achievement during its
annual Awards Day ceremony held April 15 in the Dempsey Student Center’s Heins Gym.
Close to 50 students were honored for academic excellence, leadership, service and
program-specific accomplishments across a wide range of disciplines. The ceremony
was led by Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rebecca Roush with faculty and staff
recognizing each student’s achievements.
“Student Awards Day is one of the best days of the year, second only to graduation,”
said Roush. “Faculty and staff select the student awardees, recognizing their academic
achievements and contributions to the campus community. There is so much to be proud
of.”
Awards presented during the ceremony highlighted student success across the college’s
academic schools, including science and mathematics, business and entrepreneurship,
health and public safety, trades and services, and the arts and humanities.
Among the college’s highest honors, Caroline Oakley received the John Dempsey Presidential
Award, which recognizes a student who exemplifies leadership, community involvement
and a strong commitment to serving Moore and Hoke counties. Oakley was also recognized
in multiple academic areas, reflecting a strong record of achievement across disciplines.
Abigail Kirkham was named recipient of the H. Clifton Blue Award for Academic Excellence.
This award is presented to Sandhills’ nominee for the North Carolina Community College
System Student Excellence Award and recognizes exceptional academic achievement and
leadership. Kirkham was also honored in both academic and student leadership categories,
highlighting her engagement across campus.
Additional campus-wide honors included:
- Veterans High Performer’s Award — Matthew Godwin
- Student Government Association Award — Abigail Kirkham and Ryan Watson
- Rose K. Anderson Library Award — Danely Maldonado
- SCC Work-Study Student of the Year Award — Ryan Young
- Zihal Super Student Tutor Award — Matthew Celia
- Mason Allen Wagner Memorial Award — Hayden Sullivan
- Gilbert Morland Memorial Award — Zelma Mashburn
- R.P. Beasley Award — Heidi Rodriguez
Students were also recognized at the program level across multiple academic areas.
School of Science and Mathematics award recipients included Christopher Van Roosen,
Elizabeth Durtschi, J.K. Coniglio, Qamar Abdel, Liam Ewan, Sari Orozco, Thomas Stroupe,
Henry Thompson, Christopher Rabon and Laiz Eberly.
School of Trades and Services honorees included Trevor Bridgham, Andrew Humphrey,
Hayden Garner, Bailie Schickendanz, Hayden Sullivan, Tyler Peterson and Robert Owens.
School of Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship recognized Adley Scott Johnson,
Tameka Scott, Gabrielle Lewis, Lane W. Evans and Katye Nycole Sifford.
School of Health, Wellness and Public Safety award recipients included Alyssa Smith,
Ashley Cushing, Hanna Wellman, Brittany Rodriguez, Rebecca Winkley and Carson Green.
School of Communication, English and World Language honorees included Abigail Kirkham,
Isabel Coles, Caroline Oakley, Eerdenggerile Andrews, Emily Tuttle, Jamiah McKayhan
and Donna Tuck.
School of Creative and Liberal Arts recognized Timothy Justice, Myranda Cruz Sanchez,
Eva Nelson-Brown, Simon Lussier, Kayleigh Rice, Jullian Mann and Sam Ray.
Additional awards in select programs will be presented at the departmental level,
with remaining honors to be awarded during Sandhills Community College commencement
ceremonies scheduled for May 16, 2026.
All photos from the ceremony can be found on the SCC Flickr page.
