Wenatchee Valley College graduation awards

Media Contacts: Libby Siebens, executive director community relations, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

June 22, 2015

Dr. Jim Richardson, left, and Tyler Jackson, WVC President's Medal recipient.	Daniel Oleynik, WVC President's Medal recipient.
The Wells House Girls, recipients of the 2015 WVC Distinguished Alumni of the Year award, pictured with Dr. Jim Richardson, WVC President.	Daniela Carroll-Sanchez, writer of the winning essay nominating her parents for the Most Supportive Partner award.

 

The 2015 Wenatchee Valley College President's Medals, Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, Outstanding Graduate Awards, Most Supportive Partner Award were announced during the Wenatchee and Omak campus commencement ceremonies in June.

Tyler Jackson from the Wenatchee campus and Daniel Oleynik from the Omak campus received 2015 WVC President's Medals for academic achievement, leadership and service.

Jackson, who is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, earned an associate in applied sciences-transfer degree in sustainable agriculture and resource systems. He was exposed to organic agriculture and sustainable issues through a job at an organic pizza franchise. In 2010, he decided to pursue a career and education in agriculture and community service. Jackson hopes to earn a bachelor's degree and then apply to the Peace Corps Masters International Program. Through the Peace Corps, he would be able to work with rural communities in poor countries to develop sustainable agriculture systems while also earning a master's degree in International Agriculture Development.

Jackson served as president of the WVC Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Beyond Recycling club. He also volunteered at the Newberry Elementary School Garden, where he taught students about pollinators, vegetables, composting and weeding. Jackson was named to the 2014 All-Washington Academic team, which recognizes and honors students who reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence and contribute positively to the community.

Daniel Oleynik of Omak earned an associate degree in nursing. He began attending WVC at Omak as a Running Start student and has been a dedicated campus and community volunteer. Through the Student Nurses of Wenatchee at Omak club, he has served as a journalist for the campus brochure, as treasury officer and senate representative, as a student representative for the nursing department committee, and as a pinning committee member. He has also participated in several fundraisers and community activities.

Oleynik was chosen to be a student preceptee in the intensive care unit at Confluence health, and was then offered employment as an intern after graduation.

Additional nominees for the award were: Leticia Valencia of Quincy, associate of arts and sciences degree; Jeffrey Sim of Seattle, associate of technical science degree in medical laboratory technology; Tasha Guatney of Leavenworth, associate in applied sciences-transfer degree in natural resources; Makylee Youngren of Wenatchee, medical assistant certificate; Curtis Stine of Peshastin, associate of arts and sciences degree; Megan Bauder of Soldotna, Alaska, associate of arts and sciences degree; Francisco Sarmiento of East Wenatchee, associate in applied sciences-transfer degree in horticulture and tree fruit production; Alejandra Ruiz of Chelan, associate of arts and sciences degree; Anthony Bonilla of Great Falls, Mont., associate of arts and sciences degree; Blanca Avila of Chelan, associate of arts and sciences degree; Lauren Dykstra of Sumas, associate of business transfer degree; Megan Parks of Okanogan, associate of arts and sciences degree; Ryan Bird of Buckley, associate of arts and sciences degree; Laura Keller of Everett, associate in applied sciences-transfer degree in nursing; and Evan Johnson of Rathdrum, Idaho, associate of arts and sciences degree.

The Wells House Girls, also known as the WeHoGis, were the recipients of the 2015

Distinguished Alumni Award. The WeHoGis lived in Wells House between 1953 and 1960 while it was the first dormitory on campus. They also took classes and meals there, and held social activities. They were considered a WVC student organization. There was a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, hostess and two people who were responsible for the scrapbook and bulletin board. The college presented the award to the WeHoGis at a private ceremony and concert in June.

Daniela Carroll-Sanchez wrote the winning essay nominating her parents, Arcelia and Craig Carroll, for the Most Supportive Partner Award. Prior to graduation, Omak campus graduates have the opportunity to write an essay that honors a spouse, parent, child, relative, friend, neighbor or housemate. The winning essay is read at graduation, and the recipient receives a plaque.

"I am about to take the next big step in my life, and because of my parents, Arcelia and Craig Carroll, I am ready," Carroll-Sanchez wrote in her essay. "I'm not scared because they have shown me what it takes to be successful, I'm not scared because they have instilled in me a passion to learn whether it be in a classroom or in the world, and if one day I do get scared, all I have to do is go to them and they will lead me through the dark until I'm not scared again."

Outstanding Graduate Awards were awarded to Ashley Cline of Wenatchee, medical assistant certificate; Adilene Morales of Van Nuys, Calif., associate in applied science-transfer degree in business computer technology, associate of technical science degree in accounting and accounting clerk certificate; Emanuel Moreno of East Wenatchee, associate of arts and sciences degree; Jeffrey Sim, associate of technical science degree in medical laboratory technology; and Makylee Youngren of Wenatchee, medical assistant certificate.