{"id":6013,"date":"2025-04-18T11:00:50","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T16:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/?p=6013"},"modified":"2025-05-09T17:19:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T22:19:15","slug":"ntc-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-award-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/18\/ntc-honors-student-achievements-at-annual-award-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"NTC Honors Student Achievements at Annual Award Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

The annual NTC Student Achievement Award Ceremony was held April 16, 2025, where numerous students were honored in front of their families, faculty, staff and friends for their academic accomplishments.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Director of Enrollment and Student Success Melissa Heglund, Executive Vice President Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao and Academic Dean Nicholle Bieberdorf.<\/span><\/p>\n

“This is why we do what we do – it’s all about the students,” Heglund said. “You’re the reason our work matters. You make every day meaningful and the incredible things you accomplish remind us why we’re so proud to be a part of this community. Today, we are shining a light on the students who inspire us, support one another and truly embody the spirit of Northwest Technical College.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The program opened with the Student Life Awards, recognizing individuals nominated by administration, faculty, staff and students for their character, dedication and contributions to NTC and the wider community.<\/p>\n

Student Life Award Recipients<\/h2>\n

Perseverance Award:<\/span><\/b> Steve Shaaf<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Steve
From Left to Right: Nicholle Bieberdorf, Steve Shaaf and Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Student Leadership Award:<\/span><\/b> Joshua Olorunyemi<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Joshua
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Joshua Olorunyemi and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Extraordinary Kindness Award:<\/span><\/b> Lauren Barsness<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lauren
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Lauren Barsness and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Community Engagement Award:<\/span><\/b> Linda Lussier<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Linda
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Linda Lussier and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dedicated & Devoted Award:<\/span><\/b> Jessica Knol<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jessica
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Jessica Knoll and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Demonstrated Diversity Award:<\/span><\/b> Suneeta Shrestha <\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Outstanding Online Learner Award:<\/span><\/b> Anna Chastek<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Anna
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Anna Chastek and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NTC Spirit Award:<\/span><\/b> Ashley Gibson<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ashley
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Ashley Gibson and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Student Worker of the Year Award:<\/span><\/b> Eve Hansen<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Eve
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Eve Hansen and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Non-Traditional Student Award:<\/span><\/b> Damacline Oganga<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Next, the Curricular Awards were presented, including the Outstanding Student Awards, which honor students for exceptional performance in their programs and academics and the Grit Awards, which recognize those who showed courage, determination and perseverance in overcoming challenges.<\/p>\n

Curricular Award Recipients<\/h2>\n

Accounting<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Taylor Grimsley<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Automotive Service Technology<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Everett Weidemann<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Grit Award: Benjamin Lyon<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Community Health Worker<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Tasha Martell<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tasha
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Tasha Martell and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Carmen Strong<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Carmen
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Carmen Strong and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Construction Electricity<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Carson Donaghue<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jaret
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Carson Donaghue, Judson Shogren<\/span> and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Jaret Swedberg<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Carson
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmanin Kouanchao, Grant Foss, Jaret Swedberg and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dental Assisting<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Adrienne LaFerriere<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Adrienne
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Siau Yean Montgomery, Terri Bannor, Adrienne LaFerriere and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Sage Kaiser<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sage
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Siau Yean Montgomery, Terri Bannor, Sage Kaiser and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Early Childhood Education<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Evamae Ekhoff<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Grit Award: Brooklyn Ostenaa<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brooklyn
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Brooklyn <\/span>Ostenaa <\/span>and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Medical Coding<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Bryne Whitcher<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Grit Award: Zakie Arabaci<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Plumbing Technology<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Brett Dowell<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brett
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Brett Dowell and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Martin Ngigi<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Practical Nursing<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Shawn Hilde Ste.Marie<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shawn
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Chelsey Erickson<\/span>, Shawn Hilde Ste.Marie, Loretta Vobr <\/span>and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Kelli Gray<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kelli
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Chelsey Erickson<\/span>, Kelli Gray, Loretta Vobr<\/span> and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nursing Traditional<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Ryan Portner<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Grit Award: Sophia Czech<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sophia
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro<\/span>, Sophia Czech, Shari Hahn<\/span> and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nursing Step-In<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Janessa Freiheit<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Janessa
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro<\/span>, Janessa Freiheit, Shari Hahn <\/span>and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Tia McMonigal<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tia
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro<\/span>, Tia McMonigal, Shari Hahn <\/span>and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cosmetology<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Ashley Bushie<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ashley
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Brown, Ashley Bushie, Lori Reed<\/span> and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Deanna Johnson<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Deanna
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Brown, Deanna Johnson, Lori Reed<\/span> and Nicholle Bieberforf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gerontology and Aging Care<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Emily Thompson<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Emily
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz<\/span>, Emily Thompson and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Kristy Iceman<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kristy
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz<\/span>, Kristy Iceman and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

H.A.R.T.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Outstanding Student Award: Max Johnson<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Max
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, John Kenny, Max Johnson and Nicholle Bieberdorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grit Award: Nicole Nelson<\/span><\/p>\n

*Attended Virtually*<\/em><\/p>\n

Northwest Technical College will honor its graduates during an in-person commencement ceremony at 4 p.m. May 9, 2025, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. No tickets are required for students or their guests. The ceremony will last about an hour and will be livestreamed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The annual NTC Student Achievement Award Ceremony was held April 16, 2025, where numerous students were honored in front of their families, faculty, staff and friends for their academic accomplishments. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Director of Enrollment and Student Success Melissa Heglund, Executive Vice President Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao and Academic Dean Nicholle […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":134,"featured_media":6014,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5,7,54,31,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage","category-myntc","category-ntc-in-the-news","category-success","category-top-story"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/134"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6013"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6133,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6013\/revisions\/6133"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ntcmn.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}