Booth, West among those recognized for outstanding academic achievements
Franklinville’s Cindy Booth has been recognized as Randolph Community College’s 2024 Academic Excellence Award Winner, proof of her outstanding academic achievements and dedication. Additionally, Jill West, also of Franklinville, has been nominated for the prestigious 2024 Dallas Herring Achievement Award, highlighting her remarkable contributions and commitment to the college community.
“These accolades are a testament to our students’ unwavering resolve, exceptional intellect, and relentless pursuit of excellence,” RCC President Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “These students have demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment, qualities that will undoubtedly serve them well in all their future endeavors. Their achievements reflect the collective support and encouragement from our outstanding faculty and staff, who are dedicated to fostering an environment where academic excellence thrives. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a vibrant and talented student body that continuously inspires us all.”
Booth, who graduated in May with an Early Childhood Education-Career Track degree, an Early Childhood Education certificate, and an Early Childhood Administration certificate, is hoping to open an at-home childcare center. At RCC, she was a Phi Theta Kappa member, a Uwharrie Dreams Writing Club and Music Club member, and was the public information officer for the Student Government Association.
Booth was one of 58 students from each community college in North Carolina who were recognized in April for academic excellence. To qualify for the Academic Excellence Award, students must be currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, and have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.25.
Jill West, pictured fourth from the left with her family, is the College’s nominee for the 2024 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
West also graduated in May with degrees in Human Service Technology and Human Services Technology-Substance Abuse. She chose her degrees as her family has a history of addiction and mental illness. West and her husband also are foster parents, seeing need in the community. She is hoping to earn her bachelor’s and master's in social work from Appalachian State University and help military families, inspired by her husband, a disabled veteran, and her two sons who serve in the Army. West currently works in the Office of Financial Assistance at RCC.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System in 2010 to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, one of the state’s earliest advocates of community colleges. The award is bestowed annually upon a current or former student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”
RCC’s Academic and Curriculum awards were also announced.
The Academic Award is based on the highest GPA in the degree and diploma program of study. Students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms, have completed at least 40 credit hours in a degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program, and have a program GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The Curriculum Award goes to a student in each degree and diploma program who is both outstanding in their academic achievement and has potential for success in the field they have chosen. To be eligible, the students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms, have completed at least 40 credit hours in a degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program, have a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, have demonstrated expertise in their field of study, and have participated in departmental, campus and community activities that promote the College.
Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs start throughout the year, both in person and online. For more information, call 336-633-0200 or visit www.randolph.edu and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.
(All cities are in N.C. unless otherwise indicated. Winners are listed with their program areas.)
Archdale: JD Charles Bennett, Manufacturing Technology-Mechatronics-Degree.
Asheboro: Lori Ann Adame, Medical Assisting; Erick Ayala Solis, Associate in Arts-Early College-Degree; Daphani Batten, Early Childhood Education-Transfer-Birth-Kindergarten Licensure-Degree; Cheyenne Elizabeth Garner, Automotive Systems Technology-HVAC for Transportation-Certificate; Deborah Ann Gordon, Business Administration-Human Resource Management-Degree; Laila Cristina Hernandez, Associate in Arts-Degree; Reyna Denis Jimenez Cruz, Business Administration-Diploma; Emma Reece Luther, Cosmetology; Richard Chandler Macon, Welding Technology; Emily Noelle McDowell, Early Childhood Education-Diploma; Josiah Gabriel Meraz, Information Technology-IT Support Specialist AP Track-Degree; Nicole Brooke Mercado, Business Administration-Degree; Emma Loraine O’Neal, Cosmetology-Diploma; Vanessa Perez Vences, Associate in Science-Early College-Degree; Kenneth Zane Pierce, Computer-Integrated Machining-Diploma; Reid K. Prillaman, Computer-Integrated Machining; Salamatou Warilha Mohamed, Accounting and Finance-Diploma; Sophia A. Wright, Associate in Arts-Degree.
Burlington: Katelin Celeste Gindlesperger, Interior Design.
Climax: Sha’dayah Denise Pugh, Associate in Arts-Early College-Degree.
Franklinville: Ashley Michelle Kenney, Associate in Science; Ryan Thomas Morris, Automotive Systems Technology; Jill Ann West, Human Services Technology Substance Abuse.
Graham: Lori S. Smith, Interior Design.
Greensboro: Jennifer Durham, Interior Design; Christy Ann Frogge, Human Services Technology Substance Abuse; Patricia Nelson Lankford, Electrical Systems Technology; Rebekah Ruth Murphy, Early Childhood Education-Career Track-Degree; Toya Renea Sloan, Photographic Technology: Portrait and Wedding Photography-Degree; Cheyenne Tuck, Interior Design.
High Point: Leah Michelle Poole, Early Childhood Education-Career Track-Degree.
Liberty: Natalie Claire Robinson, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology.
Mount Gilead: Donald Ray Allen, Automation Engineering Technology.
Ramseur: Reyna Zapto Flores, Cosmetology.
Randleman: Reece William Beeson, Manufacturing Technology-Machining-Degree; Chelsea Renee Hodge, Medical Office Administration; Angel Rayann Hutchens, Associate in Arts-Degree; Jason Lopez-Garcia, Automotive Systems Technology-Diploma; Edie Rachelle McKenzie, Agribusiness Technology-Degree; Elijah Edward Shafer, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology.
Reidsville: Jasmine S. Johnson, Human Services Technology.
Seagrove: Hadley Randall Stutts, Radiography.
Sophia: Dixie Wanita Mitchell, Accounting and Finance-Degree; Joseph Lou Modery, Manufacturing Technology-Mechatronics-Degree; Ginger Leigh Pulliam, Medical Office Administration; Zackary Robert Usterbowski, Criminal Justice Technology.
Staley: Crimson Willow-Wolfe Drake, Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation.
Thomasville: Gavin Morris Zayonce, Welding Technology Evening/Weekend-Diploma.
Trinity: Chloe Marie Everhart, Advertising and Graphic Design-Degree; Georgia Grace Moorefield, College Transfer Pathway.
Troy: Olivia Grace Goodwin, Photographic Technology: Commercial Photography-Degree.
(All cities are in N.C. unless otherwise indicated. Winners are listed with their program areas.)
Asheboro: Anna Brooke Baynes, Radiography; Paulina Mailin Escobar, Accounting and Finance-Degree; Ian Kincaid Fletcher, Information Technology-IT Support Specialist-Degree; Tiffany Brianna Freeman, Business Administration-Degree; Brandon Fernando Gallegos, Criminal Justice Technology; Cameron Byrce Kassebaum, Automation Engineering Technology; Lora H. Pierce, Business Administration-Human Resource Management-Degree; Reid K. Prillaman, Computer-Integrated Machining; McKyla Elizabeth Spinks, Cosmetology; Sarah Elizabeth Wright, Associate in Science; Sophia A. Wright, Associate in Arts-Degree.
Denton: Megan Leigh Kearns, Advertising and Graphic Design-Degree.
Franklinville: Cindy Kay Booth, Early Childhood Education-Career Track-Degree.
Greensboro: Patricia Nelson Lankford, Electrical Systems Technology; Cheyenne Tuck, Interior Design.
High Point: Aliza Abdul, Associate in Arts-Early College-Degree; Avinash Kalyanmasih, Associate Degree Nursing-Degree.
Ramseur: Preston James Long, Agribusiness Technology-Degree.
Randleman: Annahy Dominguez-Hurtado, Medical Assisting; Kaitlyn Leigh Glaze, Photographic Technology: Portrait and Wedding Photography-Degree.
Robbins: Miguel Meraz, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology.
Sophia: Christian Hunter Foley, Manufacturing Technology-Mechatronics-Degree; Tyler Anthony Hulin, Manufacturing Technology-Machining-Degree.
Thomasville: Praise Opeoluwa Ayodabo, Associate in Science-Early College-Degree.