Student Leaders Honored at Annual Recognition Celebration

By Sophia Potter
Student Editor in Chief

I would consider myself to be a moderately mundane adrenaline junkie; I get a rush out of having a brand-new human experience I haven’t had before. So, when my supervisor and Director of Student Life Patti Ayers asked if I would the master of ceremonies for this year’s Student Recognition Celebration, I was honored and ecstatic.

Student Life has been hosting the Student Recognition Celebration for 55 years now as on opportunity for the various departments, programs and Registered Student Organizations across the college to nominate exceptional students who go above and beyond to enhance the learning experience for the LCC community. 

Public speaking is something I have grown pretty accustomed to over the years as an artist and teacher and, now, as a journalist. I would even go as far as to say that I have fooled many into believing I am a highly confident person—the true secret to confidence. However, walking into the Michigan Room on April 10th and seeing the number of empty seats made my stomach turn.

The event itself was so much more meaningful than I could have anticipated. I began by introducing myself, relaying many of the same sentiments you will find in this opinion piece, and then introducing Dr. Felipe Lopez Sustaita, Associate Dean of the Center for Student Support.

Dr. Lopez Sustaita is just as humble as he is inspiring; he tells the story of his Mexican heritage and the battle he fought to earn his titles with a dignity and humility that says anyone can do the same. Being Mexican-American myself, his words reminded me what my academic success means for not only my ancestors who got me here but also for my students who see themselves in me.

I was so moved by the stories each presenter shared about the student they had nominated. One student, Teddy Rivet, received two awards: the Emerging Student Leader award and the department award from the Center for Student Access. Andrew George, their advisor, spoke passionately about not only Teddy’s overall work ethic and dedication but also their choice to get Caregiver Certified in Michigan to help meet the needs of a fellow student.

I also got to witness several friends get recognized for the amazing work they have done in their time here, like Club Presidents Angel Martin from PTK and Ashley Turcotte from The Art Club. I have seen firsthand the impact they have left on the college, so it was truly an immense privilege to be a part of an event that allowed them to take center stage.  

I was also extremely surprised and honored to win an award myself! Each year, The Lookout chooses an Employee of the Year; to be honest, I thought that as the only employee for the vast majority of the year, we would probably skip right over this one and wait until someone had actually “earned” it.

After honoring so many other students during the event, getting (being forced) to really sit for a minute and recognize myself was an incredibly special gift. Working alone at The Lookout was a huge undertaking and unique challenge. I often felt the pressure of the paper’s legacy, especially when looking through old pictures and print editions. I spent so much time digging through the past it felt like my “Lookout Ancestors” were with me as I navigated being the only person to usher the paper from one era into the next.

Getting recognized as “Employee of the Year” validated for me that sticking it out while things were uncertain was how I earned my place on the plaque. Getting to see my name in a list of 24 others has certainly been the most impactful part of the experience overall—and a perfect wrap-up for a year that was hard to wrap my mind around. It helped me realize that no matter how lonely this year felt at points, I will forever be in a long line of Lookout ancestors now.

There are seven spaces left on the plaque. I am beyond excited to meet the people whose names will follow mine, and I hope to cross paths with a few of the names of those who came before in the time I have left at LCC.

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College Awards

Outstanding Student Employee Award: Isabel Loza
Emerging Student Leader: Teddy Rivet
Community College Collaboration Award: Ellie Gaines

Department and Program Awards

Perkins Special Populations
Student Life – The Lookout Student Newspaper
Academic Success
Fostering Stars Program

Registered Student Organizations Awards

Phi Theta Kappa
Vinyl Record Club
Cru Club
Art Club