BIG SPRING, TEXAS - April 15, 2026
Howard College proudly celebrated the achievements of its students during the annual Evening of Excellence event, a special ceremony recognizing the success of students across the Big Spring and Lamesa campuses.
The ceremony brought together students, families, faculty, and staff for a night dedicated to recognizing the hard work and determination that define the Howard College experience. From academic excellence to athletic achievement, the evening highlighted the many ways students continue to excel both inside and outside the classroom.
Throughout the evening, dozens of students were recognized for their academic success, including those earning a place on the Dean’s List and President’s List. Students recognized on the Dean’s List maintained a 3.25-3.99 GPA after completing 12 hours of college-level courses for the Fall semester of 2025 and those on the President’s List maintained a 4.0 GPA after completing 12 hours of college-level courses during the Fall Semester of 2025. These honors reflect a strong commitment to scholarship and academic discipline, with students maintaining high grade point averages while balancing the demands of college life. The Dean’s List and President's List can be found on the Howard College website.
Several students were also inducted into Sigma Kappa Delta and Phi Theta Kappa. Sigma Kappa Delta is the English Honor Society for two-year colleges and the Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs. Sigma Kappa Delta inductees included: Mia Bustamante, Britney Cook, Valerie Gonzales, Yadelin Lanfranco, Krislynn Matthies, Stacie Peterson, Valerie Rios, and Mia Valle. Inductees into Phi Theta Kappa included: Emily Archuleta, Braxton Blair, Armando Bravo, Ethan Buske, Mia Bustamante, Dora Bustos, Montserrat Ceballos, Elyan Valeria Chavarria, Mariel Chavez, Brittnie Clay, Brookie Crenshaw, Daun Garrett, Miranda Gomez, Gracie Guy, Catirina Hernandez, Katie Jones, Kiela Kropf, Sandra Montoya, Kaydence Norwood, Lynette Petithomme, Bianca Rijborz, Savannah Rodea, Adolfo Salazar, Arem Sangalang, Arella Santana, Madison Segundo, Jakob Smith, Bree Spears, Cloe Viasana, and Madison Yates.
In addition to academic honors, student-athletes were celebrated for their contributions on the field, court, and beyond. Athletic awards included Most Valuable Player, which points to athletic skill and ability, and the “Heart of the Hawk” award presented to individuals who embody the “heart” of the team by showing unwavering effort, leadership, and perseverance.“These awards pay tribute to their athletic abilities as well as their character, resilience, leadership. And work ethic… characteristics that embody what being a Hawk is all about,” said Athletic Director Kyle Cooper.
Recipients of athletic honors included: Rodeo MVP Audrey Snyder and Rodeo Heart of the Hawk Kayce Liptak, Cheer MVP Antonio Juarez and Cheer Heart of the Hawk Mary Kate Gabehart, Softball MVP Aryah Barrera and Softball Heart of the Hawks Brynn Rogers, Baseball MVP Sam Distel and Baseball Heart of the Hawk Austin Frye, Men’s Basketball MVP Terry Copeland and Men’s Basketball Heart of the Hawk Elijah Tshibangu, Women’s Basketball MVP Makayla Ellison and Women’s Basketball Heart of the Hawk Kailyn Berry, and finally, Sports Medicine MVP Ethan Buske and Sports Medicine Heart of the Hawk Naomi Arellano.
One of the most prestigious recognitions of the evening was the Presidential Award for Outstanding Student of the Year. This award honors a student who exemplifies excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character. This award is the highest honor awarded to students at Howard College and can be given on each campus. Students are nominated for this award by faculty and staff and to be eligible for this award, students must be a sophomore or graduating in the Spring 2026 term. Nominations from the Big Spring campus included: Armando Bravo, Brandon Ivery, Brynn Rogers, Ethan Buske, Kailyn Berry, Marcus De La O, Mary Kate Gabehart, Natalia Lopez, Kaydence Norwood, Terry Copeland, and Victoria Orsburn. “Anyone can see that we have a strong group of students that chose Howard College to be a park of their educational journey. We are privileged to know them and be a part of their present and their future! Each one of them has made a lasting impact on our campus, and we are confident the future is in very capable hands,” said Dr. Sparks of the nominees for this prestigious award. The Presidential Award for Outstanding Student of the Year on the Big Spring campus was awarded to Terry Copeland. For the Lamesa campus, the Presidential Award for Outstanding Student of the year was awarded to Ashtin Sifuentes.
As each name was called and each award presented, the room was filled with applause and pride, reflecting the supportive community that defines Howard College. For many students, Evening of Excellence represents not only recognition of past accomplishments, but motivation for continued success.
The Evening of Excellence event continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the dedication and perseverance of Howard College students, as well as the faculty and staff who support them along the way. As the ceremony concluded, one thing was clear — the future is bright at Howard College, and its students are leading the way.