The Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN) celebrated excellence across campus during its annual Awards and Appreciation Banquet on April 17 in the Casino Fandango Ballroom, recognizing outstanding achievements by students, faculty and staff.
The event featured the presentation of 35 awards spanning academic programs, leadership, service and campus involvement, highlighting the dedication and accomplishments that define the Western Nevada College community.
“This banquet is a meaningful celebration of the hard work, leadership and resilience demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff,” said ASWN Advisor Heather Rikalo, who also serves as Student Life coordinator. “It’s inspiring to see the many ways our campus community supports one another and strives for excellence both inside and outside the classroom.”
Awards were presented across multiple academic areas, including Workforce, Career and Technical Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Allied Health, and Jump Start College. Honorees included Joshua Lopey (Criminal Justice) and Noel Sweeney (Education) in workforce programs; Kuleani Fulton (Social Work), Meghan Nold (English), Jackie Kikuchi (American Sign Language) and Mason Rolfe (Mathematics) in Liberal Arts; and Tristan Karkheck, Kayla Volkov and Cheyenne Clayson in Nursing and Allied Health.
ASWN President Karla Salas Dominguez received the ASWN President Award. Outstanding Student Leadership Awards were presented to Omar Martinez, Aidan Rowe and Denmarc Williams.
Jason Morris was honored as Veteran Student of the Year, while Dylan Clinger earned Overall Student Employee of the Year, joined by fellow honorees Trina Hoffer, Riley Draper, Jocelyn Olvera Cabral, Jennifer Arambula and Melany Martinez in specialized categories.
The Jump Start College category recognized outstanding high school students, including Vivi Mellow (Carson High School), Jeana Lee (Churchill County High School), Logan Holly (Douglas High School), Yareli Bolanos Aguilar (Mater Academy) and Allura Knight-Zumwalt (Oasis Academy).
Wildcat Way Awards were presented to Zachary Affeldt, Tyler Dennert and Vielka Lopez Munguia, while the Psychology Club was named Club of the Year.
Faculty and staff excellence was also celebrated, with Adrian Barrera named Advisor of the Year, Dr. Scott Jones recognized as Adjunct Faculty of the Year, and Physics Professor Dr. Thomas Herring honored as Academic Faculty of the Year. Alyssa Ayers received the prestigious 2026 Regents’ Scholar Award.
Service Awards recognized contributions from Steve Yingling and the WNC Facilities Services Team.
WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe emphasized the significance of the event in recognizing student success and community impact.
“These awards reflect the outstanding achievements and dedication of our students and employees,” Dalpe said. “We are proud to celebrate individuals who exemplify the values of Western Nevada College through their leadership, service and commitment to academic and personal excellence.”
The annual ASWN Awards and Appreciation Banquet continues to be a highlight of the academic year, bringing the campus community together to recognize and celebrate the people who make Western Nevada College a vibrant and supportive place to learn and grow.