WCJC STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
April 29, 2026
Wharton County Junior College students recently received outstanding achievement awards
in seven fields of study: Allied Health, Communication and Fine Arts, Life Sciences,
Math and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Technology and Business
and Vocational Sciences.
WHARTON, TEXAS — Wharton County Junior College students were recognized this spring
for outstanding academic achievement. During the 2026 Academic Recognition Ceremony,
college instructors and administrators presented students with departmental awards
for notable achievement in seven fields of study: Allied Health, Communication and
Fine Arts, Life Sciences, Math and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences,
Technology and Business and Vocational Sciences.
Students receiving departmental awards included:
Outstanding Student in Associate Degree Nursing – Emily Gay of Richmond
Outstanding Student in LVN-ADN Associate Degree in Nursing – Laquisha Taylor of Richmond
Outstanding Student in Licensed Vocational Nursing – Monica Munoz of Bay City
Outstanding Student in Dental Hygiene – Lesly Ramos of Houston
Outstanding Student in Health Information Technology – Talia Yoxtheimer of Bay City
Outstanding Student in Human Services – Haylea Kostelnik of Boling
Outstanding Student in Physical Therapist Assistant – Madelyn Cox of Houston
Outstanding Student in Radiologic Technology – Ryland Hartman of Eagle Lake
Outstanding Student in English – Ayden Tudyk of Ganado
Outstanding Student in Humanities – Joshua Escobar of El Campo
Outstanding Student in Speech – Roark Meza of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Art – Valoria Gonzales of El Campo
Outstanding Student in Band – Lionel Vera of Richmond
Outstanding Student in Drama – Aidan Meek of Hungerford
Outstanding Student in Foreign Language – Scarlett Tedder of Pearland
Outstanding Student in Agriculture – Isabella Cabrera of Rosenberg
Outstanding Student in Biology – Yaritza Torres of Glidden
Outstanding Student in Geology – Damon Burnes of Richmond
Outstanding Student in Kinesiology – Connor Priddy of Leander
Outstanding Student in Mathematics – Shrey Satish of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Chemistry and Physics – Dania Ortiz of Richmond
Outstanding Student in Engineering – Jack Lega of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice – Katherine Gutierrez of Stafford
Outstanding Student in Economics – Israel Vargas of Rosenberg
Outstanding Student in History and Geography – Melissa Barrera of El Campo
Outstanding Student in Government – Evangeline Garbarino of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Psychology – Shelby Krpec of El Campo
Outstanding Student in Accounting – Adam Khan of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Administrative Assistant – Kenzie Brown of Bay City
Outstanding Student in Business Administration – Alexander Roemershauser of Sugar
Land
Outstanding Student in Business Office Technology – Daniela Vazquez of El Campo
Outstanding Student in Computer Science – Christopher Araujo of Stafford
Outstanding Student in Early Childhood Development – Sophia Navia of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Electronics Engineering Technology – Richard Arismendez of
Richmond
Outstanding Student in Engineering Design – Miguel Bravo of Richmond
Outstanding Student in Network Administration – Brandon Corona of Needville
Outstanding Student in Network Support Technician – William Hitchcock of Wharton
Outstanding Student in Paralegal Studies – Nadia Elise Ramos of Sugar Land
Outstanding Student in Emergency Medical Services – Daphne Clare Horelica of Wharton
The ceremony concluded with the recognition and induction of Phi Theta Kappa members.
Inductees included Aban Ahmed, Richard Arismendez, Adrian Badillo, Skyler Bannert,
Ayanfe Bayewu, Elizabeth Bennett, Reginald Black, Johnathan Dube, Marianne Duterte,
Lorain Evans, Muhammad Gheewala, Roxy Gilley, Ryder Harris, Maxwell Hartman, Kaitlyn
Harvey, Andrew Huet, Rayyan Isa, Keah Jackson, Jack Lega, Abimbola Oladele, Isabella
Orlaska, Andre Ouimette, Evan Ponshock, Thomas Rodriguez, Raul Rodriguez Garcia, Madison
Rosado, Marc Sabou, Aiza Sultanali, Bao Tuan Tran, Osagbewonrue Ugiagbe and Eden Vogelsang.
