Huntsville Leader

Calhoun Community College will recognize its Top 10 Students for the 2021-2022 academic year during a special Honors Day Program. The event will be held on Friday, April 29, Calhoun’s Decatur campus, Kelley Gymnasium, 6250 US Hwy 31 N, Tanner, AL. These students exemplify high academic achievement and servant leadership through their community service.

Calhoun’s Student Services Department hosts an annual self-nomination process, which allows those students who are deemed academically eligible to apply. Once those students have applied, a designated multidisciplinary committee consisting of Calhoun’s faculty and staff reviews each nomination packet to determine those students to be considered as finalists for this distinctive honor.

CELESTE ADAIR is a General Studies, Pre-Engineering major from Trinity, Alabama. She is a Presidential Honors Program student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Celeste is active in her community through her volunteer work at her local church where she developed a project to reach out to elderly members experiencing COVID isolation. She has also volunteered at the Daikin Festival, Osborne Animal Clinic, and community cleanup weekends. Celeste’s goal is to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM fields and challenge the myth of women having weaker math skills. She plans to do this by completing her degree, excelling in her chosen career, and encouraging others to do the same. Celeste enjoys hiking and traveling and loves animals. Her GPA is 4.0.

NATALIA CECILIANO MARTINEZ is a General Studies, Chemistry major from Huntsville, Alabama. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies, as well as a member of Calhoun’s International Club. Natalia contributes to the community in her home country, Costa Rica, by volunteering remotely at the Fundacion Nacional Pro-Clinica del Dolor Y Cuidados Paliativos (National Pro-Clinic Foundation for Pain and Palliative Care), which provides families of terminally ill patients with hospital equipment so they may spend their final days together at home. Natalia’s goal is to become a chemistry instructor in Costa Rica and make chemistry an inclusive experience, especially for women in her community. Natalia is an international student with English being her second language, and she plays the cello. Her GPA is 4.0.

JOSH COUCH is a Dual Enrollment student from Huntsville, Alabama. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Cyber Patriots, which is a national competition that focuses on protecting computer systems from hackers. After high school graduation, Josh plans to attend UAH in the fall and will participate in the pilot program for Regions Investing in the Next Generation (RING), an online high school cybersecurity course developed and sponsored by UAH. He is involved in his local community through his volunteer service at his church’s food pantry and tutoring children at the Inner City Learning Center. Josh says, “I am hoping that my college education will lead to opportunities to continue teaching and helping those less fortunate than me.” His GPA is 4.0.

DESTINI GRANT is a General Studies, Social Work major from Madison, Alabama. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. Destini has served in a Treasurer and Vice President role for Calhoun’s Black Student Alliance, where she helped organize multiple events and fundraisers. She is involved in her community through her local church; she is a member of the dance team and the praise and worship team. She helped implement her church’s first food drive through a partnership with the Food Bank of North Alabama. Destini’s goal is to become a youth social worker who counsels and equips teens with healthy coping mechanisms. Destini says, “I aspire to dedicate my life to working with teens who may not have a voice in their community or anyone they can trust.” Her GPA is 3.93.

MEGAN HOLBROOK is a Visual Communications major from Decatur, Alabama. She serves as President of the American Advertising Federation Club, and she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta honor societies. Megan was a co-captain and finalist in a First Tech Challenge robotics team where she also was responsible for all of the team’s social media, website, and promotional materials. She and her team volunteered at various events, such as visiting children’s hospitals, donating winter clothes to homeless Veterans, and hosting fundraising opportunities. Megan’s goal is to transfer to Athens State University to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Graphic Design concentration. She works with our Cooperative Education Program in partnership with the Madison County Commission by creating graphics for events that assist senior citizens. Megan enjoys reading books in her free time. Her GPA is 4.0.

VUONG NGUYEN is an Advanced Manufacturing, Electrical Technology major from Madison, Alabama. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Vuong was selected as the Most Outstanding Student in Electrical Technology in 2021 and has been awarded an Academic scholarship twice during her tenure at Calhoun. She is involved in her community through service at St. John the Baptist Catholic School by providing lunch for kindergarten classes when needed. Vuong’s career goal is to become an electrical engineer by obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the future. English is Vuong’s second language, which she says has been her biggest obstacle to overcome. She is also the first in her family to attend college. Vuong says, “The American dream is true and can be achieved by anyone who is willing to put in the hard work to earn it!” Her GPA is 4.0.

COURTNEY NUCKOLS is a Nursing major from Huntsville, Alabama. She currently serves as the President for the Student Nurses Association, and she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Delta Nu Nursing honor societies. Courtney has volunteered in several community events, including fundraising for Hope Place Domestic Violence Shelter and serving as a Board Member and Communications Director for the Whitesburg Recreation Association. She is passionate about Obstetric Nursing, and she is currently precepting on Labor and Delivery at Madison Hospital. Courtney says, “Whether it is being a dedicated mom of 3, a loving wife of 15 years, counseling a friend, supporting families in their adoptions before, during and after, being a vital part of our neighborhood community, or giving to anyone in need that comes across my path I strive to live my life with purpose, hard work, and lots of love.” Her GPA is 4.0.

DANIELLE REED is a General Studies, Psychology major from Harvest, Alabama. She serves as the Sigma Lambda Chapter President of Phi Theta Kappa, where she participated in an awareness campaign for the Limestone Foster Care system and contributed to the sustainability of the Calhoun Cupboard. Danielle is also a Presidential Honors Program student, and she is involved in her local community through tutoring at the Madison County Virtual Academy. Danielle was also given the prestigious honor of being selected as a 2022 All-Alabama Academic Team member. Danielle’s goals include establishing her own counseling practice, positively impacting the lives of others, and teaching at the collegiate level. Danielle enjoys hiking and swimming with her dog in her free time. Her GPA is 4.0.

KATIE SPRINGER is a General Studies, Theatre major from Decatur, Alabama. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Calhoun Theatre. She has performed in various plays throughout her tenure at Calhoun, and she most recently starred in Legally Blonde as Elle Woods. Katie’s goal is to become a high school drama teacher and become a part of the thriving theatre community in Decatur. After Calhoun, she plans to transfer and complete a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Montevallo, where she has been offered the Transfer Academic Recognition Scholarship. Katie says, “No goal worth achieving comes without hard work. My drive and ambition will enable me to continue to grow in my love of theatre.” Her GPA is 4.0.

CHESNEY WIDNER is a General Studies, Mathematics major from Elkmont, Alabama. She currently serves as Vice President for the Calhoun Warhawk Student Ambassadors. Chesney contributes to the community through her volunteer service in various projects, like the Blanket Drive, Winter Coat Drive, and the MS Walk. She has also volunteered at Manna House, which provides food assistance to those in need. Chesney’s goal is to become a teacher in secondary education; she plans to transfer to Athens State University. Chesney says, “Being an educator is more than just teaching content, but to inspire and pave the way for the generation to come and that’s exactly what I want to do.” Chesney enjoys going to the lake and surfing, babysitting, and going roller skating. Her GPA is 4.0.

Original source can be found here.