June 25, 2024 

Media Contact:  
Maria Iñiguez, chief of staff, 509-682-6400, miniguez@wvc.edu 
Dr. Jennifer Freese, nursing program director, 509-682-6662, jfreese@wvc.edu  
Edith Gomez, campus life and diversity coordinator, 509-422-7814, egomez@wvc.edu 
Jennifer Korfiatis, interim public information officer, 509-682-6650, jkorfiatis@wvc.edu 

 

Several Wenatchee Valley College students were recipients of academic awards at the 2024 WVC graduation ceremonies and the nursing convocations.  

Ericka Barboza from the Wenatchee campus and Jose Bucio from the Omak campus received 2024 WVC President’s Medals for academic achievement, leadership, and service.  

Barboza, who is from Wenatchee, received an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree. Barboza is the child of immigrant parents and first-generation graduate who has overcome many barriers to pursue her dream of working in healthcare. She has worked to provide opportunities for her fellow students to help them succeed. As a student in the WVC CAMP program, she tutored first-year students and provided tips for success. In her second year, she became a CAMP mentor. Her mentees became top academic performers. Barboza also excelled academically. She earned a 4.0 GPA and made the President’s List for four consecutive quarters.  

In addition to her hard work at WVC, Barboza has volunteered with CAFE, SERVE Wenatchee, Washington New Americans, and as part of the Tutor Enrichment Program of the YMCA. 

Barboza will continue her education in the nursing program at the University of Washington. 

Bucio, from Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico, made the journey from a registration clerk at a local hospital to a certified surgical technician and now, after his graduation from WVC, to a registered nurse. He is a first-generation college graduate who has graduated from the associate degree in nursing program with honors. He completed the nursing program while providing for his family, which includes his three daughters. 

Bucio served as an executive officer for the Student Nurses of Wenatchee at Omak club and as a mentor to first-year students in the nursing program. He encouraged them and provided them with guidance and tips for success. He also volunteers in the community as an EMT, firefighter, and coach for local sports teams.  

Additional nominees for the President’s Medals included Keilahni Pelton (Tonasket), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Rae Marie Najera (Brewster), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Juliana Alvarado-Villalobos (Cashmere), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Luis Alvarez Soto (Cashmere), associate of science-transfer degree; Kate Brien (Winthrop), Bachelor of Science-Nursing; Karen Cariño Orduna (Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Alexis Garcia (Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer and associate in science degrees; Alexi Granados (Rock Island), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Leisly Hernandez Alvarado (Quincy), associate in applied science-sustainable agriculture, horticulture and tree fruit production; Silas Keifenheim  (Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Beverly LaPierre (Chelan), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree and associate of science-transfer; Alvaro Medrano (Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Maleigha Peterson  (Chelan), associate of science-transfer; Abigail Rivas (Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Aislyn Ross (Bonners Ferry), Idaho, associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Mo Salter (East Wenatchee), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Annika Schmekel (Bonners Ferry), Idaho, associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; and Sara Sotelo (Mountain View, Calif.), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree.  

Outstanding Graduate Awards at the Wenatchee ceremony went to Leisly Hernandez Alvarado (Quincy), associate in applied science-sustainable agriculture, horticulture and tree fruit production; Alexi Granados (Rock Island), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Magdalena Carrion-Buenabad (Brewster), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Aislyn Schmekel (Bonners Ferry, Idaho), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; David Pacheco (Entiat), associate of technical science-ESRT; and Samael Vazquez-Rocha (Chelan), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree. The Outstanding Graduates are selected by faculty in honor of their achievements.  

Jenessa Scroggie (Pateros), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; April Condon (Omak), Bachelor of Applied Science-Teaching; and Maia Deebach (Tonasket), associate of arts and sciences transfer degree were the recipients of the Academic Achievement Award at the Omak ceremony. The Academic Achievement Award is bestowed on students who have the highest GPA in their graduating class.  

Capstone Impact Awards were given at the RN to BSN and LPN to BSN convocations.  The Impact Award is given to a project that has demonstrated exceptional innovation, practical application, and significant potential to improve patient care and outcomes. The capstone projects and poster presentation represent the culmination of students’ hard work, integrating their academic knowledge, clinical expertise, and deep understanding of the healthcare environment. Each project reflects a commitment to addressing real-world challenges and making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities. 

Kate Brien, an RN to BSN graduate, and Carla Fernandez (Lynnwood), an LPN to BSN graduate, both won Capstone Impact Awards. Brien’s capstone project was “Postpartum Hemorrhage: Readiness, Recognition, and Response in Rural Washington.” Fernandez’s capstone project was “Crash Cart Preparedness.”   

Tamela Browning, Maleigha Peterson, and Leila Tall (Cashmere) were also recognized as the All-Washington Academic Team members.  

 

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and employees and provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.  

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.  

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:  

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Mish ee twie, 1321A, (509) 682-6716, title9@wvc.edu.  

To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2131, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.