Brightpoint Community College Students Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony

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Holly Walker
Director of Communications and Public Relations
804-594-1530

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Heather Busch
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CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Academic excellence, leadership, service, outstanding achievement in a field of study, perseverance, writing skills, artistic talents, and more were recognized during Brightpoint Community College’s annual Student Awards Ceremony. The ceremony, held April 24, 2026, at the college’s Chester Campus, honored more than 120 students. The following awards were presented during the event:

Foundation Art Award

Each year, the Brightpoint Community College Foundation sponsors an art award competition to spotlight the gifted artists within the college’s student body. The winner’s work is featured throughout the year on Foundation notecards and posters. The 2026 Foundation Art Award winner was Catherine Hwang for her painting Hull Street Road. Finalists in the competition were also recognized, including Josh Cloninger, Estefania Jimenez Rivero, Amy Jung, Beq Parker, Aine Pierce, and Eric Smart. 

Performing Arts Achievement in Theatre Award

The college’s Performing Arts Achievement Award is given to a student who shows exceptional qualities not only with their talent but in other areas such as dedication, growth and persistence. This year’s award was presented to Josiah Bennett. 

Performing Arts Achievement in Music Award

The Performing Achievement in Music Award honors a student who meets and excels, with honors and distinction, the demands of the associate of fine arts music program, which includes balancing rigorous academic demands with intensive practice times and numerous performances. The award was presented to Juliana Kane.

Advanced Manufacturing Achievement Award

The Advanced Manufacturing Achievement Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional technical skill, precision, and commitment to excellence in an advanced manufacturing discipline. This award honors individuals who consistently apply strong problem-solving abilities, professionalism, and mastery of hands-on manufacturing processes. Selvin Jerome Osorio-Davis was the recipient of this year’s award.

Business Leadership Achievement Award

The Business Leadership Achievement Award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in a business program while exhibiting strong leadership, professionalism, and a solid understanding of core business principles. This award honors individuals who lead through initiative, engagement, and a commitment to growth and development. This year, the award was given to Jacob Huffman. 

Computer Science and Information Technology Achievement Award

The Computer Science and Information Technology Achievement Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, growth, and dedication in computing and information systems. This award honors individuals who exhibit strong technical proficiency, critical thinking, and a commitment to innovation and continuous learning. Charles Kelly was named as this year’s winner.

Engineering Achievement Award

The Engineering Achievement Award honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional achievement, growth, and dedication within an engineering discipline. This award recognizes individuals who exhibit strong technical competence, problem solving ability, and the effective application of engineering principles to real world challenges. The award was presented to Katherine Copi. 

Trailblazing Student Awards

The Trailblazing Student Award is designed for students who have put forth maximum effort inside and outside the classroom, as they balance multiple responsibilities, such as work and family, with their coursework. Students who receive this award have displayed determination, focus and a desire to succeed. This year’s recipients were:

Jason Abrams
Polter Baker
Charlotte Bowles
Timothy Bradshaw
Cade Countryman
Burt Daniels
JoAnn Delgado
Jahmir Ewing
Osha Gaines
Shaniyah Haskett
Yolanda Heise
Hailey Herbst
Victoria Hermosillo
Milton Hicks
Lesley Julian Cruz
Isaiah Kaiser
Siara Lawson 
Thomas Lengel
Gerberto “Gilbert” Lopez
Josh Mayra
Zola McQueen
Asia Newson
Samantha Nowaczyk
Taylor Parson
Christopher Ruiz-Torres
Amber Serrono 
Khadeja Siddiq
Everette Simon
Caleb Snapp
Lenard Szabo
Sarah Tarabay

Theresa Windham Service Award

This award was first presented in 1996 in honor of Theresa Hands Windham, who succumbed to a sudden illness in 1993 at the age of 37 while serving as the college’s coordinator of grants and development. During her short tenure at the institution, Windham’s kindness and selflessness touched the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff. Always smiling, always striving to help others, she was loved by all who had the good fortune to make her acquaintance. This award recognizes students who personify Windham’s dedication to service without regard for personal gain or adulation. This year’s recipient was Emily Comayagua, a radiologic technology major, who continually displays kindness and a desire to help others.

Clinical Medical Assistant Award and Pharmacy Technician Award

The Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), the shared workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges, recognized two students who exceeded expectations and excelled in their workforce training programs. This year, CCWA presented its Clinical Medical Assistant Award to Kayla Phillips, and it gave its Pharmacy Technician Award to Dystiny Carter.

Academic Resource Center Tutor Award

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) Tutor Award is presented to an outstanding tutor who supports the success of Brightpoint’s students by mentoring, encouraging, and providing personalized support. Junxi Fang was named as this year’s winner.

Library Award

The Library Award recognizes a student worker who consistently goes above and beyond in engagement, service, and dedication. The award was presented to Jordan Nicely.

Currents Art & Literary Review Awards

The college’s Currents Art & Literary Review highlights the creativity, writing and artistic talent of Brightpoint students. The publication includes four categories: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and art. Judges review and select first, second and third place winners in each category and may award honorable mentions. The winning entries are published in the Review.

Art
1st Place – Janet Scagnelli  
2nd Place – Ainslie Davi 
3rd Place – Margaret Buchanan
Honorable Mention – Paula Delfs
Honorable Mention – Adrien Samuel 

Poetry
1st Place – Joshua Kim
2nd Place – Graciella Griffin
3rd Place – Kyllian Simon
Honorable Mention – Tara Caldwell
Honorable Mention – Anais Stewart

Creative Nonfiction
1st Place – Chris Ruiz-Torres
2nd Place – Caedmon Tan
3rd Place – Devin Wenninger 
Honorable Mention – Tara Caldwell
Honorable Mention – Coleman Johnson

Fiction
1st Place – Olivia Ozmore
2nd Place – Andrew Becker
3rd Place – Phaedra Garrison
Honorable Mention – Chris Ruiz-Torres
Honorable Mention – Joel Fowler

Scientific and Mathematical Achievement Award

The Scientific and Mathematical Achievement Award honors a student who excels in math and/or science through strong analytical skills, consistent academic achievement, and a genuine commitment to learning. The recipient demonstrates curiosity, problem solving ability, and a positive presence in the classroom, contributing thoughtfully and supporting the success of their peers. This year’s award was presented to Meagan Reider.

Marshall Denison Society

The Marshall Denison Society, named for the college’s second president, was established to recognize individuals who embody the college’s commitment to student success and who have made extraordinary contributions to the student activities program. Jill Anderson, instructor of information technology, is currently the faculty advisor for Brightpoint’s eSports Club. She played a pivotal role in building the club, which is currently a thriving, award-winning organization. Before advising the eSports Club, Anderson was actively involved as a co-advisor of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter.  

ExpressFest Awards

Students recognized with ExpressFest Awards participated in an event during which they shared their voices and displayed their creative talents in three categories: Public Speaking, Poetry Slam, and Film Contest.

Public Speaking
1st Place – Zechariah Heath
2nd Place – Samantha “Joy” Nowaczyk
3rd Place – Leah Buckley

Poetry Slam
1st Place – Cheri Briggs
2nd Place – Anandi Baker
3rd Place – Richie Beng

Film Contest
1st Place – Benjamin Armstrong
2nd Place – Christian Pham
3rd Place – Oscar Rosales-Martinez

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Academic Awards 

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges. Each year, Brightpoint Community College’s Tau Rho chapter recognizes its graduating members who have the highest grade point averages in their associate degree programs.

Lineth Aguilar Gomez
Lisbeth Aguilar Gomez
Tucker Biedler
Holly Blevins
Dylan Brown
Orangel Bustamante
Aubrie Camp
Chimika Canty
Charley Chambers
Bailey Clark
Katherine Copi
Cade Countryman
Johannah Crowley
Ainslie Davi
Sarah Etters
Catherine Ezeobi
Harrison Fink
Hailey Gudgel
Faryal Haq
Lillian Hayman
Hailey Herbst
Shyann Hughes
Estefania Jimenez Rivero
April Jones Tyler
Charles Kelly
Joshua Krzemiein
Katheryn Marroquin de la Cruz
Marisela Martinez
Emma Mathis
Kimberly McNair
Samantha "Joy" Nowaczyk
Marisa Ozbat
Elias Palmer
Cademon Pfeifer
Jaimie Roland
Catherine Ryan
Ashley Seward  
Coral Siegel
Brenna Tatalovich
Benjamin Ward
Diana Zelada-Alfaro

Future Registered Nurse Award 

This award recognizes an outstanding Registered Nursing student who demonstrates academic promise, leadership potential, and a commitment to delivering compassionate, evidence based patient care. This year’s winner was Martina Gamil. 

Foundation of Nursing Care Practical Nursing Award

This award recognizes a Practical Nursing student who shows dedication to hands on patient care, a strong work ethic, and a passion for supporting patients’ daily health needs. Nelson Morgan was named as this year’s recipient.

EMS Excellence Award

This award is given to an EMS student who embodies innovation, dedication, and a passion for advancing lifesaving care, and who stands out as a future leader in the field, combining technical skill with genuine compassion for those they serve. This year’s award was given to Everette Simon. 

Radiologic Technology Award

Inspired by Marie Curie, a pioneer of radiography and medical imaging, this award recognizes radiology students who show strong academic promise, technical skill, and a passion for advancing diagnostic imaging. Awardees reflect Curie’s spirit of discovery, resilience, and commitment to improving patient care through science. Regan “Lexi” Church was the recipient of this year’s award.

Trailblazer of the Year Award

The Trailblazer of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a student at Brightpoint. The award recognizes academic excellence, resilience, service, leadership and a belief that the recipient will help shape the future of the college and the community. This year’s Trailblazer of the Year Award was presented to Alexandria “Ali” Thomas. Thomas was recognized for her commitment to education and her determination to persevere even when her path was interrupted by challenges with addiction. In 2020, she made the life-changing decision to remain sober and focused on providing a better future for herself, her children and her community. Since returning to Brightpoint, she has excelled in her coursework, shown an extraordinary work ethic, and openly shared her story. She volunteers to help women facing similar struggles, mentors, and uses her voice to foster hope and understanding. Earlier this academic year, she was selected to represent the college as part of Brightpoint’s first cohort of student delegates for the Virginia Government Simulation (VGS), held at the State Capitol. During the VGS, Thomas distinguished herself through leadership and engagement, earning an Impact Award for her efforts to enhance the experience for others and for leaving a lasting mark on the VGS.

Photographs taken during the Awards Ceremony may be found in the college’s Trailblazer Asset Bank.

Brightpoint Community College, one of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System, envisions a success story for every student. Brightpoint offers students a high-quality, high-value education, with more than 80 majors that provide pathways to careers in in-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served 12,686 students during the 2024-25 academic year. It also assisted 4,200 learners through Community College Workforce Alliance, the shared workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges.