Labette Community College Celebrates Student Excellence at 2025–2026 Student Awards Ceremony

Parsons, KS — Labette Community College (LCC) recognized student achievement, leadership, and academic success during its 2025–2026 Student Awards Ceremony, held Thursday, April 16 in the Thiebaud Theater. Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate a year of hard work. The ceremony honored a wide range of accomplishments across academic programs, student organizations, athletics, and leadership initiatives.

Award and Recognition Recipients

Paper of the Year Awards
1st Place: Kendall Young — The Adolescent Mental Health Crisis
2nd Place: Taylor Burzinski — Lifesaving Gender Affirming Care
3rd Place: Hope Markley — Substance Use Disorder

FBLA Collegiate Recognitions
Tabitha Grant:
1st Place — Foundations of Communication
1st Place — Foundations of Management
4th Place — Foundations of Finance
Davion Holman:
1st Place — Accounting Case Competition (with Joe Keal and Evan Valdez)
2nd Place — Business Presentation (with Joe Keal and Evan Valdez)
2nd Place — Management Case Competition (with Joe Keal and Evan Valdez)
4th Place — Foundations of Technology

Lexi Howard:
1st Place — Digital Design and Communications Case Competition (with Roxie Howard)
1st Place — Business Communication
2nd Place — Foundations of Digital Design
3rd Place — Foundations of Technology
Named Who’s Who in Kansas FBLA

Roxie Howard:
1st Place — Digital Design and Communications Case Competition (with Lexi Howard)
1st Place — Foundations of Digital Design
2nd Place — Foundations of Selling
Named Who’s Who in Kansas FBLA

Joe Keal:
1st Place — Accounting Case Competition (with Davion Holman and Evan Valdez)
2nd Place — Business Presentation (with Davion Holman and Evan Valdez)
2nd Place — Management Case Competition (with Davion Holman and Evan Valdez)

Evan Valdez:
1st Place — Accounting Case Competition (with Davion Holman and Joe Keal)
2nd Place — Business Presentation (with Davion Holman and Joe Keal)
2nd Place — Management Case Competition (with Davion Holman and Joe Keal)

Student Ambassador Awards
“Event Excellence” — Lexi Howard
“Positive Energy” — Abby Upton
“Legacy” — Macey Allison
“Emerging Engagement” — Ally Kramer
“Quiet Strength” — Haley Farran
“Behind the Scenes” — Bailey Brockus
“Always Has an Answer” — Fern Dominguez Macedo
“Sunshine” — Skylar Hutchison

Psychology Club Recognitions
Oral Presentations:
Samantha Noble — “OCD”
Meagan Hosier — “Cognitive Distortions…”

Poster Presentations:
Kristen Park Nation
Calisto Easter
Neely Baker

Conference Attendees:
Miranda Nicholson
Giovanni Sanchez
Isabel Lawson
Kylar Morrison
Katelynn Ferguson
Psychology Club President (2025–2026) - Kristen Park Nation

Phi Theta Kappa Recognitions
All-Kansas Nominees:
Jennifer Palmer
Laney Taylor

PTK EDGE Certificate Recipients:
Laney Taylor
Tabitha Grant
Kiley Clymer

Athletics Academic Awards
Team with Highest GPA: Softball

Individual Team GPA Leaders:
Wrestling: Talan Braswell (3.82)
Softball: Cresinda Bandel; Addison Jo Brown; Ella Heathman; Karly Loftis; Grace Strecker; Caitlyn Suhrie; Laney Taylor (all 4.00)
Volleyball: Dayanara Castillo; Chloe Doerr; Raveyn Kegler; Evyn Morrow; AbbyGayle Upton (all 4.00)
Women’s Basketball: Mattea Henry (3.66)
Men’s Basketball: Roko Jaksic; Zavier Phillips; Rilyn Robins (all 4.00)
Baseball: Nash McCarty (4.00)

Special Recognition
Kyler Tabor — Wrestling All-American Status

Advisor Recognition
Burt Bucher — Art Club
Cathy Kibler — FBLA Collegiate
Rebecca Crawford — Phi Theta Kappa
Deanna Huffman — Psychology Club
Gale Brown — Radiography Club
Susan Stolte — Respiratory Club
Lindi Forbes — Spirit Squad
Megan Fugate — Spirit Squad
Brandi McCall-Tyler — Student Ambassadors
Kylie Gero — Student Nurse Organization
Haley Beeman — Student Nurse Organization

Elaine Guy Award of Distinction for Advising
Gale Brown

Five Star Organization Recognition
FBLA Collegiate
Psychology Club
Radiography Club
Respiratory Care Club
Spirit Squad
Student Ambassadors
Student Nurse Organization

Top 20 Cardinals
Jennifer Palmer
Haley Ritter
Dayanara Castillo
Abby Upton
Aubrey Boss
Laura Wallace
Samantha Noble
Autumn Raymond
Cresinda Bandel
Luke Toews
Paige Mustain
Raegan Wilson
Bailey Bodine
Matthew Leistikow
Kyler Tabor
Brody Clark
Robin Burris
Ella Heathman
Abigail Slattery
Najya O’Neal

Cardinal Leadership Award
Macey Allison

Student Government Association
Incoming President: Fernando Dominguez (2026–2027)

The evening highlighted the remarkable achievements of LCC students and the vital support of faculty and staff who contribute to student success. The college extends its congratulations to all award recipients and appreciation to those who continue to foster a culture of excellence across campus.

For more information about Labette Community College programs and student opportunities, visit labette.edu/studentlife or contact Student Life Associate, Harrison Hall at harrisonh@labette.edu.