On Friday, December 2, 2022, Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Appalachian Community of Educators Scholars (ACES) celebrated 30 students who are graduating with their bachelor’s degree in either December 2022 or May 2023. Housed in the RCOE's James Center for Student Success and Advising, ACES is a four-year scholars program for future teachers focusing on mentoring, leadership, service, and professional development.
Each of the senior ACES was recognized for their accomplishments in the program and at Appalachian State University.
ACES program director Maria Valencia welcomed the seniors and their families and friends.
Former director and assistant director of the James Center, Ike Smith and Megan Kasper, shared congratulatory remarks and poems.
Nominated by his peers to speak, chemistry secondary education major Dawson Shropshire, from Dobson, North Carolina, recounted his favorite memories of his time at App State and in the ACES program.
Each senior chose someone - a family member, friend, or professional mentor - who had impacted their time in the ACES program and at App State to place their graduation cord on them.
In addition to the graduation cord, students also received a certificate and a “sunshine” memory box. The memory box included a letter they wrote to themselves during their first week in the ACES program as well as other mementos.
“It was so heartwarming to get to pick someone who impacted my life to cord me and let them know the impact they have had! The tears shed were evidence of the hard work exhibited by each of the seniors."
For elementary education major Makenah Wilson, the ceremony was incredible. “It was so heartwarming to get to pick someone who impacted my life to cord me and let them know the impact they have had! The tears shed were evidence of the hard work exhibited by each of the seniors."
The seniors recognized during the 2022 Senior Awards Ceremony:
- Brenda Najrera Angel, health and physical education
- Lindsay Cowley, birth-kindergarten education
- Britta Crist, middle grades education
- Taylor Ann Doss, elementary education
- Lian Oleta Vonique Ebanks, elementary education
- Jenny Eure, elementary education
- Abbi Nicole Freeman, English secondary education
- Gabriella Goelz, mathematics secondary education
- Emma Kate Greene, elementary education
- Emily Gulden, elementary education
- Kalina Hanowski, birth-kindergarten education
- Reagan Houchard, elementary education
- Madeline Huffman, middle grades education
- Isabel Kaczmarek, theatre arts education
- Maria Limon-Jimenez, middle grades education
- Sydney McKeaver, elementary education
- Tymber Morrison, elementary education
- Meredith Newsome, mathematics education
- Jennifer Vera Osornio, elementary education
- Katie Pittman, elementary education
- Travis Pressley, theatre arts education
- Alexandra Ramirez-Tinoco, special education
- Dawson Shropshire, chemistry secondary education
- Katherine Sumrell, elementary education
- Gabriela Upchurch, elementary education
- Dylan Ward, history, social studies education
- Andrew Westmoreland, history, social studies education
- Izabela Willis, history, social studies education
- Makenah Wilson, elementary education
- Emma Wright, elementary education
Group photo of the senior ACES
