Campus News

Calhoun Community College is excited to recognize and honor its top ten students for the 2025–2026 academic year during the college’s Annual Honors Day 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, and the SkillsUSA State Winners. Academic awards will also be presented to students receiving Calhoun scholarships and scholarships from four-year colleges and universities, awarded by representatives from those institutions.

Each year, Calhoun’s Student Services Department coordinates a self-nomination process that is open to students who meet the college’s top ten academic eligibility criteria. Once submitted, a multidisciplinary committee of faculty and staff thoroughly reviews each nomination packet to determine the finalists selected for this prestigious recognition.

These students not only demonstrate outstanding academic achievement but also embody servant leadership through their community service efforts. This year’s honorees are:

Guadalupe Arroyo-Dominguez is a Process Technology major from Hartselle, AL. Guadalupe is in the Excellence in Process Industry Controls (EPIC) program, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta, and has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation. Outside the classroom, Guadalupe serves as an apprentice at Sonoco Reels and Plugs, where she participates in career fairs to encourage local high school students to apply for the EPIC program at Calhoun. She plans to attend Athens State University to pursue a degree in Applied Management. Her GPA is 4.0.

Vespertine Haynes is a Graphic Design major from Decatur, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, Kappa Pi, and is Vice President of the Art Box Club. Ves has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation and has won several design awards, including State Champion in Advertising Design at the State SkillsUSA competition in 2025. Ves enjoys volunteering in relief and food distribution efforts and helping others whenever possible. She plans to expand her business, Nebula Consulting, and begin a successful career in Graphic Design. Her GPA is 4.0.

Kara Jones is a General Studies major from Harvest, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Social Work Club, and the Presidential Honors Program. Kara has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation. Outside the classroom, she serves as a client advocate at the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center and is an active member of her church worship team. Kara plans to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Criminal Justice to ultimately become a human rights lawyer. Her GPA is 4.0.

Lauren Kramer is a General Studies, Biotechnology major from Huntsville, AL. She is a Warhawk Student Ambassador, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, and the Environmental Club. Lauren has earned a spot on the Dean’s List and President’s List several times during her matriculation. She is also a successful intern at HudsonAlpha as part of the Biotechnology program. Lauren enjoys volunteering for several organizations, including Thrive Alabama, Not One More Alabama, and Mana House. Her ultimate goal is to study biocomputational engineering to research biocomputers and organoid intelligence. Her GPA is 3.8.

KeAnna Loftin is a General Studies, Computer Science major from Huntsville, AL. She serves as Ms. Calhoun Community College 2026, President of the Warhawk Student Ambassadors, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Presidential Honors Program, and UNITY Club, in addition to being involved in many other campus activities. KeAnna has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation and holds many awards, including the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and the NAACP Black Girl Rock Award. She is actively involved in her community and leads an initiative called the SpeakLight Project, which mentors individuals of all ages and encourages them to pursue their goals. KeAnna plans to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a degree in Finance or Business. Her GPA is 4.0.

Tyler Manuel is a General Studies, Pre-Engineering major from Madison, AL. He is President of SGA, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, UNITY Club, and serves on several college committees. Tyler has earned a spot on the President’s and Dean’s List several times during his matriculation. He has participated in many community service activities, including Tinsel Trail, food drives, and coat drives. Tyler’s goal is to pursue a degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, followed by graduate study in Engineering Management. His GPA is 3.9.

Happiness Masaba is a Nursing major from Huntsville, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the International Club and has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation. Happiness is a devoted member of her church, Our Lady of the Universe Church. Her goal is to ultimately become a nurse practitioner who builds long-term relationships with patients and her community. Her GPA is 4.0.

Lucy Scarborough is a General Studies, Biology major from Madison, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta, SGA, Chess Club, Students for Life, among other Calhoun clubs and organizations. Lucy is a student in the Presidential Honors Program and has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation. Outside the classroom, Lucy is a devoted member of her church, Trinity Baptist in Cullman, where she serves on the music team and participates in a monthly prayer tent ministry. After graduating from Calhoun, Lucy will attend Athens State to pursue her bachelor’s in biology and participate in the Athens State TEACH program, which will allow her to receive secondary education certification. Her goal is to become a teacher who helps students think about science in a critical way while enjoying learning. Her GPA is 4.0.

Abigail Slinkard is a General Studies, Psychology major from Athens, AL. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Chess Club, and the Presidential Honors Program and has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during her matriculation. Abigail is a devoted member of her church, where she teaches Sunday School and will soon travel as a missionary. She is also a volunteer leader for Girl Scouts, where she contributes to many local charities and began an annual PB&J drive for homeless families in the Athens area. As a current teacher, Abigail plans to continue her work with children, whether at home or in a school setting. Her GPA is 4.0.

Parsa Vard is a General Studies, Music Technology major from Huntsville, AL. He is the Regional President and Vice President of District I for the Alabama Region of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has earned a spot on the President’s List several times during his matriculation. Parsa is President for SkillsUSA, Vice President for the Student Government Association, Vice President of Communications for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Vice President of the Decatur Campus for the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society, and a member of the Presidential Honors Program. He volunteers as an assistant radio producer at WLRH 89.3 FM/HD Huntsville Public Radio Station. He plans to transfer to Belmont University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering Technology to become a mixing and mastering engineer. His GPA is 4.0.