Just Braggin’ on Our Nighthawks: Annandale Student Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their professors for outstanding academic achievement. Looking beyond their superior GPA, their professors have noted their excellent work ethic and commitment beyond the contours of particular course requirements. Each student will receive a certificate for their academic distinction.

Olin Akisoglu (AAS-Physical Therapist Assistant)
In recommending Olin Akisoglu, Professor Ritu Kandal notes that Olin is a bright, hard-working, focused student, doing consistently very well. Such recognitions will boost his confidence to do even better.

Laila Azmy (AS-General Studies/Health Science)
In recommending Laila Azmy, Professor Kandal notes that Laila is a bright, hard-working, focused student, doing very well. Such recognitions will encourage her to do even better.

Joan De La Iglesia Barriga (AS-Criminal Justice)
In recommending Joan De La Iglesia Barriga, known as “Junior,” it was noted he was the only student waived from the second Criminal Law exam. He demonstrated a passion for learning the law beyond anyone else in the class and he always strives for excellence. “In all my 30 years of teaching several thousand students, he is in the top 1%.”

Angie Loayza Bernuy (AS-Science/Mathematics, AS-Computer Science)
In recommending Angie Loayza Bernuy, Professor Ritu Kandal notes that Angie is a brilliant, focused, hard-working student, who consistently does excellent work.

Bareera Bibi (AS-Science)
In recommending Bareera Bibi, Professor Ritu Kandal notes that Bareera is a very enthusiastic bright, hard-working, focused student, who consistently does excellent work.

Joshua Castillo (AAS-Business Management; AS-Social Science)
In recommending Joshua Castillo, Professor Anwar Ahmad notes that Joshua is an excellent student, having taken three of Ahmad’s computer science classes. His very high GPA reflects his excellence.

Hyesoo Chang (Non Curricular General Knowledge)
In recommending Hyesoo Chang, Professor Ahmad notes that Hyesoo is an excellent student having taken two of his computer science classes. Hyesoo’s GPA reflects her excellence.

David Coren (AS-Engineering)
In recommending David Coren, Professor Ritu Kandal notes that David is a very bright student. He really gets into the details of concepts. He is focused, sincere and consistently does excellent work.

Karen Machado Diaz (AS-Science)
In recommending Karen Machado Diaz, Professor Piraba Swaminathan notes that Karen is really calm, composed and dedicated to learning. She is focused, attentive and very organized.

Seung Woo Goh (AS-Business Administration)
In recommending Seung Woo Goh, Professor Jill Mitchell views Seung as the ideal student. Currently, he is among the top performers in the class. I have observed his incredible work ethic and impeccable communication skills. While being a full-time student, he works two full-time jobs that require 60-75 work hours per week. Seung is responsible, passionate and professional.

Cindy Gonzalez (AS-Hospitality Management)
In recommending Cindy Gonzalez, Professor Millard Boteler notes that she is a dedicated and hard-working student. She is able to apply her classroom learning to her job and has excellent examples of her real-life work experience. Cindy takes on new classroom challenges with enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge.

Antonisha Grayson (AS-Hospitality Management)
In recommending Antonisha Grayson, Professor Millard Boteler notes that Antonisha is articulate, dedicated and enthusiastic and is able to apply what she has learned to real life situations. She is inquisitive and passionate about learning–someone who is constantly thinking about the applicability of processes learned in class.

Roxana Elizabeth Hernandez (Early Childhood Development)
In recommending Roxana Elizabeth Hernandez, Professor Ramon Perez notes that Roxana is a student who has performed at a consistently high level throughout the entire semester and shown a remarkable commitment to her studies. Roxana’s passion and enthusiasm for learning are truly admirable. She has a bright future ahead of her.

Elena Jimenez (Non-Curricular General Knowledge)
In recommending Elena Jimenez, Professor Ann Stegner notes that Elena not only excelled in her regular coursework in class; she went above and beyond to learn the material and to think about how it is applicable to her current life experience and future career plans. She is an excellent student.

Sydney R. Jokinen-Leppert (Non-Curricular General Knowledge)
In recommending Sydney R. Jokinen-Leppert, Professor Carolyn Crocker notes that Sydney drew her attention early in the semester because, not only is she a good and thoughtful student, she is so very kind and helpful to her classmates. Her very presence in lab changed the very tenor of the class.

Hadi Kamara (AS-Business Administration)
Professor Jill Mitchell, in recommending Hadi Kamara, notes what a very conscientious student he is–polite and respectful. Hadi is motivated, professional, responsible, curious and conscientious. His leadership skills and work ethic are superior, and he is ready and able to learn and succeed. He is one of the top students I have had the privilege of teaching in my over 13 years in academia.

Mirim Lee (AS-Psychology)
In recommending Mirim Lee, Professor Piraba Swaminathan notes that Mirim works very hard with attention to detail. Completes all assignments with the intention to learn.

Tandeese McLain (AS-Biology)
In recommending Tandeese McLain, Professor Ritu Kansal describes Tandeese as being consistent in providing excellent work. Tandeese McLain is a brilliant, focused student.

Brooklyn McLaughlin (AA-Liberal Arts)
In recommending Brooklyn McLaughlin, Professor Sailatha Pathapadu notes that Brooklyn was in her BIO-101 class last fall, and she is taking BIO-102 this spring. She is very honest, hardworking and very interested in learning Biology.

Annie Nguyen (AS-Biology)
In recommending Annie Nguyen, Professor Ritu Kansal notes that Annie is a brilliant, focused, sincere student who consistently does excellent work.

Yazan Saran (AS-Engineering)
In recommending Yazan Saran, Professor Ritu Kansal notes that Yazan is a very bright student who really gets into the details of concepts and is focused, sincere, and consistent in doing excellent work.

Ema Tahmazi (AS-Biology)
In recommending Ema Tahmazi, Professor Behzad Maghami notes that Ema demonstrated the high capability of group work and an understanding of physics topics. She is a knowledgeable and hard-working student. Ema was instrumental in helping other students in the class as well.

Zoe Taylor (AS-Nursing)
In recommending Zoe Taylor, Professor Steven Stakland notes that Zoe was dedicated to making the class learning experience significant. She bravely spoke up to discuss important issues and was a class leader. Her example helped everyone learn (including the teacher). Zoe thoroughly engaged with all of the course material and crushed the assignments.

Wilmot Westreicher (AS-Engineering)
In recommending Wilmot Westreicher, Professor Ritu Kansal notes that Wilmot is a focused, hard-working, smart student, who does consistently very well.

Bryce Williams (AA-Liberal Arts)
In recommending Bryce Williams, Professor Moyo Johnson notes that Bryce is a very studious and good student. Always submitted assignments on time with great work and  he participates in class with a great attitude.

Jillian Ylagan (AS-Computer Science)
In recommending Jillian Ylagan, Professor Ritu Kansal  notes that Jillian is a brilliant and focused student who does excellent work.

Charles Zhao (Non-Curricular)
In recommending Charles Zhao, Professor Steven Stakland notes that Charles demonstrates great effort in class discussions by mastering difficult material, making creative connections and having profound insights.

Submitted by:
Hemchand Gossai, AN-Assoc. Dean Humanities and Social Sciences, HGossai@nvcc.edu