April 7, 2025 

Media Contact:  
Marcine Miller, executive director, public information office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu 

 Three outstanding Wenatchee Valley College students were recently named to the 2025 All-Washington Academic Team in recognition of their high academic achievements and community service efforts.  

WVC has selected students Micah Lee, Keira Martinez-Pinargote, and Charlee Buchert. The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state's finest higher education students. The students who make up the team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community.  

The 2025 All-Washington Academic Team ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m. at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey campus. 

Micah Lee of Twisp completed a WVC Medical Assistant degree in 2024 and is currently awaiting acceptance into the new Bachelor of Behavioral Health program at WVC. “After completing my bachelor's, I hope to get my Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University,” Lee said. “WVC has been life changing, and I am so grateful for the support and education I have received.” 

Keira Martinez-Pinoargote of East Wenatchee is a Running Start student and working to complete her transfer degree. “In high school, I joined Running Start, determined to graduate with both my diploma and an associate degree,” she said. “My love for neuroscience and nutrition comes from a deep curiosity about the human body because of my multiple food allergies. Now, I’m excited to continue my educational journey by transferring to a four-year university and working towards becoming a physician assistant.” 

Charlee Buchert of Okanogan is studying at WVC to become a registered nurse. This year, she embraced the role of mentor for two new Running Start students, guiding them through their first quarter of college through WVC’s Running Start Mentorship Program. She embodies academic excellence through her studies and has consistently been named to the quarterly President’s List. Charlee said she’s looking forward to taking what she has learned at WVC and applying it to Grand Canyon University, where she will transfer this fall.   

“On behalf of Wenatchee Valley College, we are exceptionally proud of these students and their achievements,” said WVC President Faimous Harrison. “These are tremendous milestones in these students’ educational journeys that will help prepare them for success as they continue their education and enter their chosen career fields. I look forward to celebrating this honor with Micah, Keira, and Charlee at this month’s ceremony.” 

The program is sponsored by the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, the Washington State Association of College Trustees, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa. 

For more information about the All-Washington Academic Team, visit spscc.edu/allwa. 

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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, Human Resources, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu. 

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