Events
Students Honored for Leadership
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 24, 2025) – Wake Tech honored its outstanding student leaders during the annual Student Leadership and Torch Award ceremony, held Thursday on Scott Northern Wake Campus.
Student leaders from 13 student groups and organizations were celebrated for setting a positive example, promoting the college and its values and improving student life.
"It is a privilege to be surrounded by so much inspiration," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "These students have made Wake Tech and our community a better place."
Twenty-two students were presented with the signature Wake Tech Torch Award, an honor that recognizes students who best exemplify the qualities of service, engagement, academics and leadership. The Wake Tech torch, the college's logo, symbolizes the life-changing journey experienced by students. It is a beacon of hope that students are guided to, leave behind and carry with them to light the way along their path for the rest of their lives.
"It's great to see all our hard work being appreciated at Wake Tech," said SGA President and Torch Award recipient Silas Johnson. "To see the college recognize everyone here tonight is an honor."
Ralls and Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Brian Gann presented the following Torch Award recipients with a certificate and a medallion, which they will wear at graduation:
- Milena Alvarez
- Cheval Akio Batts
- Marjorie Chanakira
- Sydney Davis
- Amarachi Ekwegh
- Angela Froese
- William Guevara Jr.
- Javhon Holloway
- Sean Johnson
- Silas Johnson
- Elizabeth Jorgensen
- Amanda McKay
- Karolaine Nunes Dos Reis
- Ian Bogita Ongwacho
- Benedict Ontita
- Pedro Dal Coleto Pasquoto Lopes
- Abigail Mary Pierce
- Daniel Rajaratnam
- Daniela Rebong
- Fiorella Ruiz
- Deepson Tamang
- Cricket Wellum
The college also recognized William Guevara as the 2025 Dwight O. Ryan Outstanding Student of the Year, the highest achievement award a Wake Tech student can earn.
Devin Carhart was recognized as Wake Tech's first Scholar of Global Distinction, a designation demonstrating commitment to global engagement through coursework, extracurricular activities and Study Abroad experiences.
Student leaders in the following student groups and organizations were also honored and received a certificate from their advisors:
- Pathways Peer Mentors
These students assist new minority male Career & College Promise students, providing a variety of support, including mentoring on study skills, time management and how to maximize resources.- Marjorie Chanakira
- Rodney Mercer
- Cierra Powe
- Brittany Young
- Student-Athlete Leadership Council
A select group of student-athletes who strive to enhance the student-athlete experience by advocating and promoting a positive image.- Amber Bittner
- Destiny Bullock
- Gabrielle Carter
- Abby Carver
- Matthew Cipriano
- Brianne Foster
- Alexis Kennedy
- Colleen Klahn
- Gabriel Marquis
- Alejandro Perdomo
- Ximena Sanchez Hernandez
- Atiba Shaw Jr.
- Jentz Steiner
- Alissa Yates
- New Student Orientation Leaders
These students serve as resources and representatives of the college for first-year students during orientation.- Sarah Dakin
- Xia Han
- Jordan King
- Ansh Patel
- Pamela Troublefield
- Student Ambassadors
These students represent and promote Wake Tech to prospective students and their families and to the community. They lead campus tours and serve at on and off campus events.- Tyler Asiyo
- Jenna Atway
- Cheval Batts
- Paige Bruck
- Luca Bryan
- David Cameron
- Agustina Chiappolini
- Chidozie Chukwuemeka
- Teniel De Lucia
- Amarachi Ekwegh
- Mayra Escobar
- Gustavo Garcia
- Sebastian Garrafa
- Quentin Hill
- Matthew Huff
- Hannah Jimenez
- Charles Lankford
- Simba Marufu
- Christian Nowojczyk
- Ranze Pengson
- Ella Provencher
- Sabrina Shibu
- Nolan Smeal
- Saxon York
- Eagle Innovation Challenge
An initiative designed to help students engage in social entrepreneurship and develop 21st-century skills. Students identify a problem to solve or a process to improve, contact an expert to research best practices and create an innovative proposal for change.- Mannal Amjad
- Taras Brytskyy
- Devin Carhart
- James Francis
- Han Nyan
- Sehyun Park
- Cale Rogoyski
- Amos David Romero Castro
- Fiorella Ruiz
- Deepson Tamang
- Fostering Bright Futures
A student success program that assists foster care youth in their transition to independent adulthood and higher education.- Mia Murphy
- Maria "Lexi" Templeton
- Student Success Peer Leaders
These students mentor new students and provide guidance, share wisdom and experiences and support students through their college journey.- Annie Anglin
- Kaitlyn Arias-Cornejo
- Malexis Barinotto
- Kendall Briggs
- Derek Gonzalez
- Lauren Holfelder
- Nidhi Karerakattil
- Victoria Ong
- Fiorella Ruiz
- Ruby Waibel
- Thomas Wilkie
- Peer Tutors
Students dedicated to helping others who are selected to tutor their peers in subjects they have successfully completed.- Youness Bounkiba
- Xia Han
- Xena Gabrielle Morales Aguilos
- Grazziana Rogliero
- Sheng Sun
- START Ambassadors
Students who actively promote and support the STEM Academic Research and Training Program to prospective students and the community.- Leigha Howell
- Rahi Patel
- Student Money Management
A program that provides students the resources, tools and financial education to be fiscally responsible.- Veronica Bosken
- Frank Dibuono
- Noor ul-aien
- Ken Vreeland
- Activate Good
The organization works to make volunteerism part of everyday life in the community. Students volunteer to help community partners throughout the Triangle region.- Amarachi Ekwegh
- Laura Templeton
- Cricket Wellum
- Kenobie Woods
- Student Government Association
The campus organization that represents the interests of all Wake Tech students and serves as a liaison between the faculty, administration and students.- Giovanna Alessio
- Aisha Aribowo
- Milena Alvarez
- Marjorie Chanakira
- Peterjoseph Chukwu
- Sydney Davis
- Frank DiBuono
- Sergey Fedorov
- William Guevara
- Javhon Holloway
- Penny Johnson
- Silas Johnson
- Sanai McCoy
- Khadija Mohammed
- Dennis Nometa
- Ian Ongwacho
- Sehyun Park
- Daniela Rebong
- Karolaine Reis
- Natalia Reyes Rios
- Cornelia Roata
- Adrian Rodriguez
- Cale Rogoyski
- Fiorella Ruiz
- Deepson Tamang
- Laura Templeton
- Cricket Wellum
- Brittany Young
Two students also were spotlighted as Wake Tech finalists for North Carolina Community College System awards. Both recipients were given engraved acrylic awards.
Angela Froese was recognized as the college's Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee. Dr. Herring is credited as the father of the Community College System. The award acknowledges a student who best embodies his philosophy of taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.
Froese, who is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Graphic Design, said she was shocked and humbled on her nomination.
"It's amazing to see how much people perceive you and your work," she said.
Marjorie Chanakira was recognized as the college's Gov. Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award nominee. This award recognizes outstanding student leadership at a statewide level while paying tribute to the legacy of the former governor.
