University Recreation hosted its annual Honors and Awards Celebration this past Friday, May 6. The celebration recognizes the academic and occupational success of UREC's student employees, acknowledging staff for their placement on the dean's and chancellor's lists, university honors and awards and graduation. 

"What started as a job turned into an important part of my college career that I will treasure always. Through UREC, I learned what it means to be a true leader by putting others first," Nyasha Bgoni said. 

The program, hosted at the UREC Sports Complex, celebrated the accomplishments of the more than 360 students currently employed with University Recreation, of which the average cumulative GPA is 3.44. Fifty students were recognized as "UREC Aces," meaning they have the highest cumulative GPA among employees. Seventy-one student employees were recognized for being named to the Dean's List, and each UREC program recognized student staff who embody excellence in their job responsibilities and serve as a role model and connection to their peers.  

The department's Craig A. Edmonston Outstanding Student Leader award was also recognized at the celebration. This award is named after a former UREC director who served the department for 30 years and is presented to the most outstanding student employee at UREC. This award is conferred upon the individual who provides the best service, dedication and commitment to students, employees and the university community. The winner of the Craig Edmonston award is Nyasha Bgoni, who served most prominently as a student manager and will graduate with a degree in criminology with a minor in African and African American studies and political science.  

All award recipients are listed below.  

UREC Aces:  

• Ethan Asher  
• Yvana Blanco  
• Devin Brockwell  
• Kayce Brott  
• Sarah Carl  
• Sophie Carl  
• Wyatt Carter  
• Brenan Cash  
• Odessa Clear  
• Emma Ebert  
• Sky Elder  
• Erika Fredricks  
• Ruchika Gogia  
• Nikki Gross  
• Skylar Hames  
• Megan Hanigan  
• Grace Hanlon  
• Victoria Hansen  
• Kristin Hartley  
• Logan Hutchison  
• Elizabeth Jackson  
• Jenova Kempkes  
• Alexandra Krska  
• Gweneth Kuhns  
• Courtney La Duke  
• Jacqueline Lawrence  
• Zachary Markey  
• Kerri McClanahan  
• Edward McKinnon  
• Hannah Miller  
• Ryan Miller  
• Joshua Mora Sanchez  
• Logan Nelson  
• Samantha Nowaski  
• Danielle Parsons  
• Karen Pedraza  
• Bailey Ralston  
• Aspen Regan  
• Ashley Rivera  
• Jacqueline Ruffeno  
• Jocelyn Schneider  
• Katherine Seymour  
• Casi Shanks  
• Macy Valdez  
• Avery Vaughn  
• Hellen Vejerano  
• Ryan Wallace  
• Sarah Waller  
• Mackenzie Winger  
• Dan Clark  
• Nicolette Gosselin  
• Venus Wilson  
• James Reeder  
• Lauren Drawbaugh  
• Emily Timmons  
• Abby Miller  
• Emma Dishman  
• Blaise Keasler  
• Hannah Verdi  
• Karis Branstetter  
• Chloe Junkerman  
• Julia Mickelson 

UREC Sports Official of the Year:  Ryan Quimbo  

UREC Supervisor of the Year: Brenden Bates 

Outstanding Student Staff for Group Fitness: Caroline Schifani 

Outstanding Student Staff for Personal Training and Small Group Training: Faith Pearrow 

Lifeguard of the Year: Ella Silvis 

Above & Beyond in Marketing:  Maddy Adkins  

UREC Outdoors Staff Pick:  Leah Center 

Facility Assistant of the Year:  Addison Knight 

Donna Axum Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Pablo Escovar 

UREC Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Andrew Paxson 

Service Center Attendant of the Year:  Adeline Irabaruta 

Facility Supervisor of the Year:  Logan Nelson 

Student Manager of the Year:  Chris Bullock 

Craig Edmonston Award Recipient:  Nyasha Bgoni