News

Calhoun’s Top Ten Students Among Those To Be Honored During College’s 54th Annual Honors Day Program

April 18, 2023

Calhoun Community College will recognize and honor its top students for the 2022-23 academic year during the College’s 54th Annual Honors Day Program, on Friday, April 28th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Kelley Gymnasium on the Decatur campus. Students will be presented with local, state and national honors and scholarships during this program.

Among the honors to be awarded will be the presentation of the College’s Athlete of the Year, James B. Allen Pin Award, Keith Wiley Sigma Kappa Delta Award, Sigma Kappa Delta National Awards, Most Outstanding Warhawk Student Ambassador, All-Alabama Academic Team Members, as well as the SkillsUSA State Winners. Academic awards will also be given to students receiving Calhoun scholarships, and scholarships from four-year colleges and universities will be awarded by representatives from those institutions.

Among other students to be honored by Calhoun during the awards ceremony are the College’s “Top Ten Most Outstanding Students”. These students and short bios are listed as follows:

DEVIN CAPASSE is a General Studies, Pre-Nursing major from Huntsville, AL. She is a driven and compassionate individual who has dedicated her career to supporting children and families going through traumatic experiences. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University in 2020, Devin became a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and has since been actively involved in a range of organizations and initiatives related to child welfare, including disaster relief efforts and emotional intelligence teaching for families. Devin is also an active member of her local church and community, volunteering her time and services to support families struggling with psychosocial disorders. While Devin has already had a successful career as a CCLS, she is now pursuing her nursing degree with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and furthering her impact on the community. Her GPA is 4.0.


TATIANA CHERRY is a General Studies major from Madison, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and served as the Chapter President and Alabama Regional President. In addition, she is a member of Sigma Kappa Delta, the Black Student Alliance, and the Calhoun Cares Club. Tatiana has been recognized for her academic achievements, receiving the Presidential Honors Program scholarship, Dean’s List, President’s List, Calhoun Bookstore Scholarship, and an Academic Scholarship. Outside of her academic pursuits, Tatiana has undertaken research projects, organized fundraisers, and participated in community-outreach activities. She is passionate about education, female empowerment, and poverty awareness. She is currently advocating and empowering openness surrounding menstruation awareness and raising money for scholarships for deserving students who require financial assistance. Tatiana plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and aspires to become an MD-Ph.D. physician-scientist. Her GPA is 3.9.


MATTHEW CLARK is a General Studies major from Huntsville, AL. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta and has volunteered with the Calhoun Cupboard to help students in need. Matthew was a recipient of the Principal’s Choice scholarship, and he has made both the Dean’s List and President’s List during his matriculation at Calhoun. Matthew has also volunteered his time and skills in various community events and charities, including the Madison Academy Varsity Football and JV and Varsity Basketball teams, Santa’s Village, Asbury Thrift Store, the Mana House, and his church. He has a passion for learning and seeks out classes that challenge him to become a better student and person. Matthew’s ultimate goal is to become a sports videographer and capture major sporting events using the latest broadcasting technology. His GPA is 3.9.


KATIE FREDERICK is a General Studies major from Athens, AL. She is a member of Sigma Kappa Delta and Phi Theta Kappa and has been actively involved in both organizations for the past two years. Katie is currently serving as the chapter president of Sigma Kappa Delta and has been instrumental in organizing club and campus activities. She has also been recognized for her academic achievements by being named on the President’s List for the past three semesters and is a full scholarship recipient as part of the Presidential Honors Program for both her freshman and sophomore years. Katie is also active in her community, volunteering at her church, assisting with poetry competitions, and dog-sitting at the Greater Huntsville Humane Society Dog Ball. In addition, she was selected to present her paper “Strength Through Adversity” at the International Sigma Tau Delta writing competition at their 2023 convention. Katie is passionate about helping the veteran community, and she was instrumental in assisting with Calhoun’s 2022 Veterans Day Program. She plans to pursue a kinesiology degree at the University of North Alabama to become an occupational therapist to rehabilitate wounded veterans. Her GPA is 4.0.


FAITH MCATEER is a General Studies major from Huntsville, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a student-athlete who has been a part of the Calhoun Community College Women’s Cross-Country team for the past two years. Her team placed second in their division in the state, and they were afforded the opportunity to race at a national competition in Florida. Faith has also served as the team manager for Calhoun’s Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country teams. Beyond athletics, Faith has contributed to her community by serving on the ACCC Student Athlete Leadership Council. Her passion for volunteering has led her to serve at Grace Community Church in Huntsville, where she is actively involved in the church’s nursery and volunteers for various events. Faith’s goal is to finish her prerequisite courses so that she can apply to Calhoun’s Physical Therapist Assistant program and work in pediatric physical therapy. Her GPA is 4.0.


HEIKE NOLAN is a General Studies, Business major from Owens Cross Roads, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta. Heike was born and raised in a country that did not allow her to attend college, but she was determined to pursue her dreams after moving to the United States. After achieving her GED in December 2020, Heike enrolled at Calhoun Community College. Heike was named Most Outstanding Student in Literature in Spring 2022 and has established a study group for her American Literature class. She has volunteered at numerous organizations and events, tutored students in reading and math, and participated in fundraisers and bake sales. Heike’s goal is to earn a degree in Business Administration and obtain a better-paying job with benefits, while also helping those in need and staying humble and kind. Her GPA is 4.0.


WILLIAM WYATT TOMLIN is a General Studies, Pre-Engineering major from Falkville, AL. He has been on the President’s List all four semesters that he has attended Calhoun, and he is also in the Presidential Honors Program and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. William is a talented angler and boat captain who has been a member of Calhoun’s fishing team for two years, attending on a fishing team scholarship. Along with his academic pursuits and fishing, he is also actively involved in community service. William has volunteered at his local library, helped organize and run booths at fall festivals and homecoming events, assisted with candy drives and Thanksgiving meals for needy families, and worked on Christmas programs and card drives for local nursing homes. His GPA is 4.0.


RILEY TRAMMELL is a General Studies major from Huntsville, AL. Riley is a student in the Presidential Honors Program on full scholarship, and he has been included on the President’s List for multiple semesters. Riley has made a significant impact on his community during his time at Calhoun Community College. As a founding member and president of the Calhoun Band Club, he has brought together like-minded individuals to create a musical community that has performed at various events on campus, as well as at senior living homes. In addition, he has been an active volunteer with his church’s student ministry, working with young boys to help build them up into strong, faith-driven men. He plans to transfer to the University of Alabama in Huntsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, with the ultimate goal of working full-time for Aerojet Rocketdyne. His GPA is 4.0.


TY WHITSON is an Advanced Manufacturing, Machine Tool Technology major from Moulton, AL. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Project MFG, a Machining Team, where he practices bi-weekly and on weekends in the ATC building as a machinist and programmer. Ty’s academic achievements include being placed on the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester and being in the Top 10 of the Graduating Class of 2022 from Austin High School. He has also received scholarships from the Calhoun Foundation and the Career Academies of Decatur. Outside of his academic pursuits, Ty is an active member at Speake Christian Fellowship and has participated in community service projects, such as delivering meals to families in need during the holiday season. Ty has a passion for making a difference in the world and believes that one day at a time, and by showing love to one another, we can create a better world. His GPA is 4.0.


LILY WINBORN is a General Studies – English major from Huntsville, AL. She has been actively involved in various student organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa, Warhawk News, Sigma Kappa Delta, and Joie de Livres. Lily began attending Calhoun Community College as a dual enrollment student in the spring of 2022 and has been taking classes ever since. Despite working an average of 24 hours per week as a Guest Services Representative at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Lily has managed to maintain an impressive academic record, earning a place on the President’s List twice. Additionally, Lily has volunteered her time with Mana House and Asbury Church College Ministry. She plans to transfer to Athens State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in English/Language Arts Education and hopes to inspire younger generations to appreciate and enjoy literature. Her GPA is 3.9.

 
Box lunches will be provided for students and their families immediately following the program.