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- News 2025-2026
- Wenatchee Valley College announces 2025 student award recipients
Wenatchee Valley College announces 2025 student award recipients
July 3, 2025
Media Contacts:
Maria Iñiguez, chief of staff, 509-682-6400, miniguez@wvc.edu
Dr. Jennifer Freese, nursing program director, 509-682-6662, jfreese@wvc.edu
Edith Gomez, student life and diversity coordinator, 509-422-7814, egomez@wvc.edu
Marcine Miller, executive director, Public Information Office, 509-682-6582, mmiller2@wvc.edu
Wenatchee Valley College is pleased to announce the 2025 graduates who were recognized
at commencement ceremonies and nursing convocations for their academic excellence.
Mary Smith from the Wenatchee campus and Tonya Rasmussen from the Omak campus received WVC President’s Medals for academic achievement, leadership, and service.
Smith, who is from Wenatchee, earned an associate degree in nursing. While completing
the nursing program, she participated in the Student Nurses of Wenatchee club and
became one of the co-presidents. This role enabled her to participate in volunteer
opportunities and acts of service, including a clothing drive, blood drive, and guest
speaker events. She also served as a mentor to her fellow students, including first-year
nursing students.
Smith has maintained a 4.0 GPA, consistently earning a spot on the WVC President’s
List each quarter.
Professor Kristen Baltz of the WVC Nursing department shared, “what distinguishes
Mary most is her exceptional spirit. She treats everyone with kindness and empathy,
approaches challenges with integrity, and goes above and beyond to support her classmates
and the broader WVC community. In every sense, [she] represents not only the ideals
of the President’s Award, but the ethical and professional comportment of the nursing
profession.”
Rasmussen, from Okanogan, earned an associate of science-transfer degree. She began
her educational journey in the computer lab at Wenatchee Valley College Omak struggling
with passwords and technology, and then went on to become a tutor who helped other
students overcome the same difficulties she had experienced. The WVC employee who
nominated Rasmussen wrote, “She has supported countless students with patience, clarity,
and encouragement. Her contributions have had a direct and meaningful impact on her
peers’ academic success and confidence.”
During her time at WVC Omak, Rasmussen sat on the hiring committee for the Omak campus
dean, on the Student Cabinet hiring committee, and on a tenure committee.
Rasmussen plans to continue her education by seeking a degree in behavioral health.
“I never dreamed I could even go this far, and yet the reality is that I can and will
go even further,” she said.
Additional nominees for the President’s Medals included Ava Burk of Omaha, Neb., associate of arts and sciences transfer degree;
Jacob Gutierrez of Wenatchee, associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Oscar
Ojeda Penilla of Wenatchee, associate degree in environmental systems and refrigeration
technology; Anessa Hanson of Wenatchee, associate of arts and sciences transfer degree;
Alustriel Lioliadis of Las Vegas, Nev., associate of arts and sciences transfer degree;
and Jordan Aguilar of Omak, associate of nursing degree.
Outstanding Graduate Awards at the Wenatchee ceremony went to Shannon Brouse of Wenatchee, who received an associate
degree in computer technology-network administration; Ava Burk of Omaha, Neb., who
received an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Jovany Arredondo of Warden,
who received an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Hector Alvarez of
Wenatchee, who received an associate of nursing degree; Jairo Aguilar-Solorio of Wenatchee,
who received an associate of nursing degree; Natalie Jensen of Wenatchee, who received
an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Anessa Hanson of Wenatchee, who
received an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree; Robert Grimes of McPherson,
Kan., who received an associate degree in environmental systems and refrigeration
technology; Savoy Schorn of Wenatchee, who received an associate of applied science-transfer
degree in business computer technology; and Elizabeth Rivera Avila of Wenatchee, who
received an associate degree in business computer technology.
Recipients of the Academic Achievement Award at the Omak ceremony went to Amber Bader of Brewster, who received certificates in
Early Childhood Education; Christine E. Zandell of Omak, who received an associate
of arts and sciences transfer degree, an associate of science-transfer degree, and
a Washington High School Diploma; Gabrielle Pipkin of Tonasket, who received an associate
of nursing degree; John Godwin of Tonasket, who received an associate of arts and
sciences transfer degree; Melissa Rodriguez de Leon of Bridgeport, who received a
certificate in Early Childhood Education; and Mykala Berntsen of Post Falls, Idaho,
who received an associate of arts and sciences transfer degree. The Academic Achievement
Award is bestowed on students who have the highest GPA in their graduating class.
A Capstone Impact Award was given at the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) convocation in Omak.
Doris “Diko” Yatta of Juba, South Sudan, received the award for her project, “Improving
Wound Identification on Diverse Skin Tones.” The Impact Award is given to a project
that has demonstrated exceptional innovation, practical application, and significant
potential to improve patient care and outcomes. The capstone projects and poster presentation
represent the culmination of students’ hard work, integrating their academic knowledge,
clinical expertise, and deep understanding of the healthcare environment. Each project
reflects a commitment to addressing real-world challenges and making a meaningful
difference in the lives of patients and communities.
Micah Lee, Keira Martinez-Pinoargote, and Charlee Buchert were also recognized as
All-Washington Academic Team members.
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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington and delivers relevant,
innovative, and experiential educational opportunities for thriving and healthy communities.
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, Wenatchi Hall 2322M,
(509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133,
(509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.