04/23/26
Outstanding Students Honored at Honors Day in Gadsden
Gadsden, Ala. – 91¾ÞÈé recently held its 60th annual Honors Day at Wallace Hall for students attending campuses in Gadsden and Centre. The program included student achievements and scholarship presentations.
A second Honors Day was held in the Learning Resource Center at the Ayers Campus for students attending that campus. Over 230 awards and scholarships were given at the Honors Days, which spanned April 14-15.
Traditionally, one of the highest honors presented each spring is the Allen-Ray Award. The award, which has been presented at every Honors Day program over the past 60 years, is presented in honor of the late Sen. James B. Allen and the late Jack Ray, former CEO of the Exchange Bank of Alabama. Both men were active supporters of Gadsden State. Catherine Martin of Exchange Bank presented the 2026 Allen-Ray Award to Shelby McGinnis of Weaver.
McGinnis, a General Studies major, will graduate in May with a perfect 4.0 GPA, reflecting her exceptional dedication to academic excellence and personal growth. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy, driven by a passion for helping others and making a meaningful impact in their lives.
Known for her strong work ethic and attention to detail, McGinnis approaches every responsibility with care and high standards, demonstrating adaptability and perseverance throughout her academic journey. During her time at Gadsden State, she has earned numerous honors, including consistent placement on the President’s List, recognition as a Phi Theta Kappa All-Alabama Scholar, and the Jacksonville State University Presidential Transfer Scholarship.
She has also served as Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, where she played an active role in leading chapter initiatives, including the College Project, collaborating with peers to address campus needs.
The President’s Cup, a designated award for students who demonstrate exceptional success in all phases of college life, is presented each year to students in the academic, health science and technical divisions. It is given by Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State.
The Academic Division recipient for the Etowah County campuses and Gadsden State Cherokee is Allison Hindman of Cedar Bluff.
Allison, a Business Administration major at 91¾ÞÈé, will graduate in May with an outstanding 4.0 GPA, reflecting her strong discipline and commitment to academic excellence.
Following graduation, she plans to attend Auburn University to pursue a degree in Information Systems Management, building a foundation in data and technology as she works toward a career as a data analyst. She aspires to grow within her field, advance into leadership roles, and eventually establish her own business.
During her time at Gadsden State, Allison has distinguished herself through both academic achievement and campus involvement. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, serves as Vice President of the Student Government Association, and works as a peer tutor in the Career Technical Center and Student Support Services, where she also serves as a mentor.
The President’s Cup for the Health Science Division is Miranda Perea of Fort Payne. Miranda, a devoted wife and mother of two, has demonstrated exceptional determination in balancing family responsibilities, academic pursuits, and professional growth. She chose to attend 91¾ÞÈé after carefully considering programs that would best support her goals and lifestyle, ultimately enrolling in the Cherokee Campus nursing program for its proximity, strong clinical partnerships, and reputation for preparing compassionate, skilled nurses.
Her experience in the RN Apprenticeship Program has been especially impactful, providing valuable hands-on training, financial support, and the confidence to excel in both classroom and clinical settings. Following graduation, Miranda plans to begin her nursing career at DeKalb Regional Medical Center, where she currently serves as a nursing apprentice, and continue her education toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The winner of the President’s Cup for the Technical Division is Cayson Hardy of Glencoe. Cayson, an Industrial Automation major at 91¾ÞÈé, will graduate in May with a perfect 4.0 GPA, reflecting his strong work ethic, discipline, and commitment to academic excellence.
Following graduation, he plans to continue his education while working full-time, pursuing co-op opportunities and ultimately earning his bachelor’s degree to combine real-world experience with continued academic achievement.
During his time at Gadsden State, Cayson has earned notable recognition, including placement on the President’s List and selection to the Homecoming Court. He has also been actively involved in campus life through the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa, his role as a student ambassador, and participation in the FAME program.
Four area students were presented with awards for outstanding achievement. The Outstanding Achievement Awards recognize students who have succeeded in pursuit of higher education despite varying traumas, adversities, personal losses and difficulties.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards given at the Wallace Drive Campus event went to Cherri Lynnn Burt of Fort Payne, Felicia Renae Hunter of Fort Payne, Kaylee Briana Smith of Gallant, and Tori Ann Wooldridge of Jacksonville.
Burt is a resilient student whose journey reflects determination, perseverance, and hope. After facing major life changes, including a difficult divorce, she became the sole provider for her children while working full-time in a nursing home. Despite financial and emotional challenges, she remained committed to supporting her family and refused to give up on her future.
Seeking a fresh start, Cherri enrolled at Gadsden State, initially unsure of her path. There, she found encouragement and rediscovered her long-held dream of becoming a nurse. Her dedication has led to outstanding academic and community achievements, including maintaining a 3.564 GPA, active involvement in Phi Theta Kappa, Student Support Services, and the Student Nurses Association, and earning the Rising Scholar Award. She also gives back to her community as a volunteer firefighter.
Through her journey, Cherri has not only worked toward a better future for herself but has also inspired her children by showing that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.
The second recipient, Hunter, is an inspiring student whose strength and perseverance have carried her through an incredibly difficult year. At the start of the school year, her mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, adding immense emotional and personal challenges to her responsibilities as a student, worker, and parent. Despite long days and sleepless nights, she remained committed to her education while caring for her family.
Following the loss of her mother, Felicia continued to move forward with remarkable resilience, honoring her mother’s legacy by pursuing her goals. At Gadsden State, she has maintained an outstanding 3.9 GPA while serving as President of Phi Theta Kappa and Vice President of the Student Government Association, in addition to participating in the A Cappella Choir. She is also a recipient of the Rising Scholar Award.
Felicia plans to continue her education at the University of Alabama, where she will pursue a career in law, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to building a meaningful future.
The next recipient, Smith, is a determined and resilient student whose journey reflects perseverance through profound personal challenges. Shortly before beginning her program at Gadsden State, she experienced the loss of a pregnancy, followed by the end of her marriage, leaving her to rebuild her life while raising her young daughter on her own.
As she navigated these hardships, Kaylee balanced working overnight as a CNA, running her own business, and caring for her family. When her mother entered hospice care, she became her primary caregiver, supporting her through her final days while coping with an immeasurable loss.
Despite grief and ongoing responsibilities, Kaylee remained committed to her education and future. She has maintained a 3.775 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, all while continuing to operate her dog grooming business. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in cosmetology, with a focus on serving individuals with special needs, honoring both her personal journey and her dedication to helping others.
The last recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award is Wooldridge, a resilient student whose academic journey has been defined by perseverance and strength in the face of significant challenges. Early in her program at Gadsden State, she experienced a life-threatening health issue that required her to step away from her studies. After several months of recovery, she returned to continue her education with a new cohort, demonstrating her determination to succeed.
During this time, Tori also faced the loss of her mother to terminal cancer, serving as her caregiver and source of support throughout her illness. Despite these profound hardships, she remained committed to her goals and continued to move forward with a positive outlook.
While at Gadsden State, Tori has maintained a 3.36 GPA and remained focused on her future. She plans to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse, with the goal of making a meaningful impact in her community.
Departmental awards were given to students during the Wallace Drive Campus Honors Day. They include:
Accounting – Cheyenne Batts, Daniel Robinson, and Luke Russo
Art Student - Virginia Ally Townsend
Auto Collision Repair Technology – Enrique Ocanas
Automotive Service Technology – Michael Cabrera
Chemistry – Shelby McGinnis and Kynleigh Noah
Child Development – Crystal Cleere, Heather Darbo-McClellan, Delila Michelle Garrison, and Damia Steward
Choral Students – Hannah Culpepper Afton Yarnell
Civil Engineering Technology – Max Feemster
Computer Science – Lucas Butts, Nathan Latimer, Andrew Polk, Richard Thompson, Timothy Weed, and Casey Wilkerson
Court Reporting – Jada Nicole Adams
Electrical Technology – Carter Dillingham
English – Emily Mitchell
History – Jackson Page
Industrial Automation Technology – Dakotah Luscinski
Mathematics – Noah Farmer, Gobran Hijazeen, and Dennis Ray Tucker III
Mechanical Design Technology – Dustin Leonard
Precision Machining – Matthew Usry
Pre-Engineering – Kale Austin
Office Administration – Haley Jaye
Office Administration-Medical Coding and Scribing – Belvajean Collom
Office Administration-Health Information Technology – Beverly Johnson
Radiology – Emma Young
Salon and Spa Management – Alexis Morgan
Spanish Student – Owen Beason
Theatre Students – Daelyn Caldwell and Sana McCather
Welding Technology – Alexis Gurley
Students receiving scholarships to four-year universities are:
Jacksonville State University Presidential Transfer Scholarship – Shelby McGinnis
University of Alabama Presidential Transfer Scholarship – Carter Calvert
University of Alabama at Birmingham Presidential Transfer Scholarship – Keaton Bean and Daniel Robinson
The Cardinal Foundation awarded the following scholarships:
Benjamin Steinberg Nursing Scholarship – Devyn Davenport
Dr. Martha and Tim Lavender Scholarship – Ashley Rivera
Gerald Acker Scholarship – Hageo Perez Velasquez and Eric Tate
GRIP Autocross Scholarship – Aydan Farr
Image Matters Radiography Scholarship – Grace Sarazin
The Cardinal Foundation Past Presidents’ Honorary Scholarship – Melissa Tressler
Louis and Elaine Marsalis Scholarship – Railey Mayfield and Lexie Snow
Michael Joe Wofford Memorial Scholarship – Daniel Bradley
The SPA Kathy Brown Memorial Scholarship – Kanisha Swain
Stephen and April LaFollette Scholarship – Cassandra McDaris
Swoop Sprint Scholarship – Ashley Bynum, Kenzie Quick, Litzy Adamaria Ramirez Gonzalez, and Kenyan Smith
Tim and Laura McCartney Career Technical Education Scholarship – Jeremiah Fowler and Blake Green
William Thomas Dawson Family Scholarship – Elijah Hammett, Micah Lasseter, and Sadie Sanchez
Named scholarships given to students to further their educational journey at Gadsden State are:
Barry Boatwright Scholarship – Grace Walker
Chad Hawkins Educational Foundation Scholarship – Cindy Wallace
James L. Brown Free Enterprise Scholarship – Ta’Shanuna Barton
Dr. Jesse L. Walker Jr. Business Faculty Scholarship – William Westman
Jim Vanderford Scholarship – Michael Cabrera and Blane Clark
Nan Pentecost Scholarship – Tansley LaCount
Nell Thomas Scholarship – Railey Hope Mayfield
Sue McMeekin Griffith Scholarship – Kaylee Green
R&E McCord Scholarship – Joseph Gleason
Additional accolades include:
All-Alabama Academic Team – Felicia Hunter and Shelby McGinnis
Outstanding Ambassador – Wilson Snead
Outstanding BCM Student – Jacob Steed
Outstanding Cardinal Tutoring Center Peer Tutors – Heather Darbo-McClellan and Ashlee Medders
Outstanding FAME Student – Jose Ponce
Outstanding Student Support Services Student – Raegan Nunez
Students who were recognized with the Rising Scholar Award are Ashlyn Bain, Bobbie Bessent, Maegan Brown, Mya Ellen, Katherine England, Cameron Gilliland, Olivia Gowens, Olivia Hawbaker, Akossiwa Bernice Hoenou, Shelby Holmes, Haley Jaye, Addie Marie Jenkins, Rossmely Lara, Micah Lance Lasseter, Kaitlin Marsinko, Cassandra McDaris, Adyson Owens, Jayna Phillips, Amber Porter, Samantha Sarmiento, Nepo Christine Sims, Pressley Slaton, Kaela Snead, Amelia Grace St. John, Ty’Kezsaya Steward, Eric Tate, Courtney Terry, Cassidy Trammell, Dennis (Tripp) Tucker III, Bailey Tyler, Anna Watwood, John Ross Whaley, and Kanon Wilson.
Students from the Gadsden campuses or Gadsden State Cherokee earning the Student of Distinction Award are Rana Alrahifah, Chelsea Billips, Lane Brasher, Peyton Burrell, Campbell Burford, Cherri Burt, Carter Calvert, Heather Darbo-McClellan, Devyn Davenport, Lindsey Denson, Kendal Franklin, Tanya Giroir, Allison Hindman, Kinsley Hodge, Alyssa Hopkins, Felicia Hunter, Beverly Johnson, Ranon Lee Johnson, Bryant Lambert, Luke Stone Lasseter, Macee Massey, Shelby McGinnis, Natalie Morris, Tiffany Leann Morris, Caitlin O’Neal, Leslie Peerson, Abigail Read, Hannah Richards, Daniel Robinson, Marion Sigmon, Lexie Morgan Snow, Rachel Sobczak, Allie Stansell, Damia Steward, Katelyn Brooke St. Clair, Evan Tarvin, Matthew Gregory Usry, Mallory Wallace, William Aiden Watts, Tanler Shine Whaley, Mya Willingham, Makya Wilson, Rory Aaron Meadows Wright, Afton Yarnell, and Emma Young.
Paralegal Studies students were recognized for their inclusion in Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society, which is for those who have demonstrated superior academic performance with at least a 3.25 overall GPA and at least a 3.5 GPA in paralegal classes. Students are Marli Haynes, Chrislynn Hoge, Layla Kissic, Faith Mintz, Rylee Shaw, Selena Urbina, Allison Waldrup, and Allison Walz.
Photos from the Gadsden Honors Day can be found .