Student Success
Student Leaders Shine at Torch Awards Ceremony
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 23, 2026) – Wake Tech celebrated the leadership, service and lasting impact of its most dedicated students during the annual Student Leadership and Torch Awards ceremony Thursday at the Southern Wake Campus.
Leaders from 14 student groups and organizations were honored for promoting the college, serving as positive examples and enhancing student life.
Twenty-five students were presented with the Wake Tech Torch Award, which recognizes those 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 represents a beacon of hope that guides students, lights their path and stays with them after they leave the college.
"Tonight, we recognize your accomplishments, impact and leadership during your time here," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "What you have learned will go with you wherever you go next, and I know you will do amazing things."
Ralls and Brian Gann, vice president of Enrollment and Student Services, presented the following Torch Award recipients with a certificate and a medallion, which they will wear at graduation:
- Milena Alvarez
- Neha Amaraneni
- Yasmeen Ayesh
- Malexis Barinotto
- Anna Grace Capps
- Eliot Rainer Corvette
- Nicholas Davies
- Chelsea Ruth English
- Stevan Jelic
- Rocky Jones
- Kiranpreet Kaur
- Ismael Lagunas
- William "Tyler" Magna
- Alex Ortega-Saucedo
- Maria Valencia Pena
- Daniela Rebong
- Sophia Reyes
- Mayra Valeria Rodriguez Escobar
- Elle Ruiz
- Sydney Russo
- Madison G. Sposato
- Noor Ul Aien
- Christian Velazquez
- Ken Vreeland
- Thomas Wilkie
Sehyun Park received the 2026 Dwight O. Ryan Outstanding Student of the Year, the highest achievement award a Wake Tech student can earn.
Student leaders in the following student groups and organizations were also honored and received certificates from their advisors:
- Pathways Peer Mentors
These students assist first-generation college students by providing support with study skills, time management and navigating college resources.- Sanai McCoy
- Alan Morales-Lopez
- Laura Michelle Orellana-Machuca
- Scholars of Global Distinction
Students complete globally focused coursework and participate in activities that build understanding of global cultures, regions and issues.- Neha Amaraneni
- Leslie Marie Cole
- Silveria Rubi Gutierrez-Ramirez
- Maya Lilian Melich
- Laney Mooney
- Alexa Powell
- Hani Safadi
- Student-Athlete Leadership Council
A select group of student-athletes who work to enhance the student-athlete experience by advocating for and promoting a positive image.- Kendall Jane Backholm
- Mary Elizabeth Barnes
- Devon J. Charles
- Madison Riley Fisher
- Kinsley Ann Hanner
- Jessica Jazmin Haswell
- Destiny Mason
- Sara Palacio
- Alejandro Andres Perdomo
- Isabella Rose Perez
- Matthew William Phuntek
- Kasie Sue Roberts
- Anthony Sanchez-Hernandez
- Jentz Michael Steiner
- Kaden Tezyk
- Iveonna Uneek Ward
- New Student Orientation Leaders
These students serve as representatives and resources for first-year students during orientation.- Xia Han
- Uyen Ka
- Andrea Lopez Landeros
- Sehyun Park
- Mayra Rodriguez Escobar
- Pamela Troublefield
- Student Ambassadors
Ambassadors represent and promote Wake Tech to prospective students, families and the community through campus tours and on- and off-campus events.- Sarai Basaldua-Guillen
- Nevaeh Brooks
- Nicholas Davies
- Marina Dejnozka
- Matthew Huff
- Kiranpreet Kaur
- Navleen Kaur
- Kavin Logan
- Ismael Mastache Lagunas
- Fifa Melome
- Delaney Mooney
- Jonah Newton
- John Nohren
- Christian Nowojczyk
- Edison "Bailey" Price
- Fiona Raab
- Lexi Richardson
- Alec Robinson
- Mayra Rodriguez Escobar
- Madison Sposato
- Estefania Toribio-Mendoza
- Alice Walter
- Cameron Wiehoff
- Students Supporting Students Ambassadors (S3) Cooperating Raleigh Colleges
A consortium of six colleges and universities in Raleigh and Wake County that allows students to take classes and experience life on multiple campuses without transferring.- Constance Acevedo
- Ismael Mastache Lagunas
- Ariana Santana
- Eagle Innovation Challenge
An initiative that engages students in social entrepreneurship and the development of 21st‑century skills through innovative problem-solving.- Nick Boykin
- Nehan Sharif Haroon Rashedu
- Uyen Ka
- Navleen Kaur
- Diego Maldonado-Castillo
- Sumayah Mohammedhadis
- Sophia Morin
- Sehyun Park
- Cale Rogoyski
- Aryan Rohira
- Elle Ruiz
- Diana Seidi
- Justin Smith
- Noor Ul Aien
- Fostering Bright Futures
A student success program supporting foster care youth as they transition to independent adulthood and higher education.- Joesph Lioret-Tutty
- William "Tyler" Magna
- Fadajia Moore
- Samatha Rodriguez
- Student Success Peer Leaders
Peer leaders mentor new students by sharing guidance, experiences and support throughout their college journey.- Justin Gonzalez-Padilla
- David Hanna
- Marcus Macon
- Sanai McCoy
- Rosayma Pagan Olivencia
- Justin Prince
- Shelbie Stamps
- Peer Tutors
Students selected to tutor classmates in subjects they have successfully completed.- Davis Angela
- Comeau Jacob
- Coston Jaylen
- Kaur Navleen
- Mwita Winnifrida
- START Ambassadors
Students who promote and support the STEM Academic Research and Training (START) program to prospective students and the community.- Ilona Barbary
- Kaylyn Jennings
- Sophia Reyes
- Student Money Management
A financial literacy program that provides students with tools and resources for responsible money management.- Noor Ul Aien
- Ken Vreeland
- Activate Good
An organization that integrates volunteerism into everyday life through service to community partners across the Triangle.- Kiera Bowers
- Sanai McCoy
- Delaney Mooney
- Student Government Association
The organization that represents the student body and serves as a liaison between students, faculty and administration.- Milena Alvarez
- Neha Amaraneni
- Malexis Barinotto
- Justin Gonzalez-Padilla
- Kiranpreet Kaur
- Princess Kyubwa
- Diego Maldonado-Castillo
- Ismael Mastache Lagunas
- Sanai McCoy
- Dylan Medlin
- Han Nyan
- Levi Page
- Sehyun Park
- Daniela Rebong
- Natalia Reyes
- Elle Ruiz
- Hani Safadi
- Ariana Santana
- Amaryah Smith
- Kyle Stanley
- Jan Suren
- Noor Ul Aien
Two students were also recognized as Wake Tech finalists for North Carolina Community College System awards and received engraved acrylic awards. Milena Alvarez was named the college's nominee for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award, which honors students who embody Herring's philosophy of meeting students where they are and helping them reach their full potential. Malexis Barinotto was named Wake Tech's nominee for the Gov. Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award, recognizing exceptional student leadership at the state level.
