Student Spotlight

America Rodriguez

Nominated by: Gretchen Moffet

Why this student was chosen:

"Besides being a hard-working student, America went above and beyond to serve as a volunteer last fall at nearby Whittier Elementary. America learned about the Lead to Read program during a literacy presentation in her Comp I-Success First class and signed up to volunteer as a Reading Mentor at Whittier once a week. The Lead to Read staff spoke highly of America's dedication and work with the children. Although her schedule doesn't allow her to volunteer this spring, she hopes to serve as a reading mentor again in the future."  

Amuri Justin

Nominated by: Royal Gatson

Why this student was chosen:

"Hardworking, dedicated, goes above and beyond to learn."  

Mang Moua

Nominated by: Lisa Stoothoff

Why this student was chosen:

"This student has formed a community with the other male soccer players in his cohort and encourages them to play soccer in between classes. He is an example of hard work and perseverance upholding our values of truth and excellence."  

Candi Carpenter

Nominated by: Professor Megan Kelly

Why this student was chosen:

"Candi always comes to class ready and willing to learn. She asks the important questions in class and is prepared for learning."  

Anthony Torres Carrillo

Nominated by: Dhuha Shareef

Anthony is very generous, as shown in all he does. He is also very involved as he is a member of the Math Club, Student Senate, a tutor for Donnelly students, and more.

He showcased his leadership skills while leading the Math Club team to Resurrection Elementary School for Pi Day appreciation. He expressed generosity by voluntarily paying out of pocket for some balls to hand to students for Math Clun Sign-In Day, while also serving soup! In addition, he goes out of his way to voluntarily tutor a student on Saturdays in a library.

We are so proud to have Anthony – a kind-hearted, generous leader as a student here at Donnelly.

Marco Ramirez Ramirez

Nominated by: Ana Maradiaga

Why this student was chosen:

Marco is an excellent student, invested in becoming a better version of himself and helping the communities around him. He is not only interested in improving our local community but his home country, Guatemala, as well. He spent his summer ('23) at Kansas State University doing undergraduate research (RiPS program) in a biology lab, earning praise from his mentors on his work ethics, responsibility, adaptability, multitasking abilities, and his strong commitment on building the community around him. Marco serves Donnelly's community as a member of Student Senate at Donnelly and as the manager of Dragon's Den. He manages to have an impressive GPA, apply for future career opportunities, and serve the community all at the same time and with the same degree of excellence. Marco is a true Donnelly Dragon.

Julian Scholl 

Congratulations, Julian! We are so happy to have you as a student at Donnelly College.

Stefanie Ambroziak

Nursing

Nominated by: Juliette Paquette 

Stefanie is an outstanding student who works diligently as she prepares for the LPN program and further education plans that involve a future PHD. She is very involved with the Student Senate as an Organizational Liaison & diligently helps her community while working 12-hour shifts at the local hospital & taking full time classes. Stefanie is a delightful personality that brings joy to others around her, making her an exceptional nominee that values truth, excellence & community. 

Sonia Rivas

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Juliette Paquette

Sonia is a hard-working student who shows kindness, love, and care for her peers at Donnelly. Sonia is not only diligent in her schoolwork, but she takes part in extracurricular activities roles that include: President of Anime club, Vice-President of the Student Senate & Secretary for the soccer club. She is flexible, honest, and loyal to her Donnelly family. Sonia is a delightful personality & someone who I can see become a successful young woman in her career driven field and reaching out to assist those in the community around her.

Anjana Baraily

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Yvonne Telep

Anjana began at Donnelly in our Intensive English program, working on improving her English skills. Since then, through persistence and dedication to her studies, she has become a model student, recognized on the Dean’s list or Honor Roll in each of the last 3 semesters. 

Anjana is trustworthy and reliable in and out of school. She volunteers at her church working with younger students, and she has worked in the Campus Cupboard, doing a lot of preparation work so that the shelves are stocked and the products are ready for students on Cupboard days. Once she knew the routine, Anjana capably and responsibly carried out her duties every week without fail. Sister Sharon could always rely on her to get the job done!

Anjana is a quiet student who is excelling in her studies in spite of her many responsibilities outside of school. She is a student worthy of our notice and commendation in the Student Spotlight. 

Briana Garcia

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Father Edward Ahn

Briana Garcia is so impressive! She is looking to go the route of sports medicine in continuing education after this last year at Donnelly. She works at a chiropractic clinic, that also serves as a type of internship for her. She is also a Student Ambassador here at Donnelly. She is high achieving, and her commitments indicate diligence in time management, in fulfilling them all. 

Sunita Kalikote

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Gretchen Meinhardt

Sunita has been a delightful representative of Donnelly from the moment she set foot on campus. Her first day in my class in Spring 2019, she walked in and said, “I want to meet new friends in this class!” That broke the ice for everyone. She has been a diligent student, balancing school, work, and family life. She began serving on Student Senate last year and is Vice President this year. She was a Dragon Scholar and helped out in Admissions, where she was not only a hard worker, but a great example of what makes Donnelly students special. 

Yailyn Flores Vazquez

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Paula Console-Soican

Yailyn was one of the most creative students last semester. She continues to build on that creativity this semester, getting work published in DIME, preparing a presentation for the Global Opportunities Expo, and making careful considerations about her future. Yailyn is a fairly reserved person, but you can always see her smiling and flourishing right under our eyes.

Yazmin Bruno-Valdez

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Mary Pflanz

Yazmin demonstrates academic excellence in her course work here at Donnelly. Her presentation at the Student Expo in February showcases her work with girls’ education. Yazmin promotes Donnelly values within the community as well. In her work with the Kansas/Missouri Dream Alliance, she helps DACA students with their questions and concerns. She also volunteers at Bishop Sullivan. I highly recommend Yazmin as a Student Spotlight recipient.

Yareli Castor

Associate of Arts

Yareli is the epitome of an involved, active college student. She belongs to many clubs and organizations here on campus including the Pro-Life Club and the Running Club. She is involved in Student Senate and is always available to promote Donnelly to future and current students. When I see a student like Yareli on campus, I just want to clone her because she embodies all that we stand for at Donnelly.

Kritshna Diaz-Ibarra

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Megan Jordan and Yvonne Telep

Kritshna was nominated for dedication and service to Donnelly College. Kritshna is a dedicated student, working with others to do her very best in her classes and to help others excel as well. She is such a joy to see walking the corridors of Donnelly College. She is enthusiastic about learning and engages with students and faculty day to day. She does beyond what is expected and required and always with a smile on her face.

Liliana Rodriguez

Associate of Arts

Lilliana has demonstrated such a strong commitment to her educational journey. She is persistent and determined to excel not just in her classes, but in all her experiences. Since she has started at Donnelly College, Liliana took on leadership roles in the tutoring center and by being elected by her peers as Secretary of the Student Senate. Liliana "Lily" is wise beyond her years and is most deserving of this incredible honor and recognition. When you award Lily, you are awarding not just her ambition, but her commitment to improving herself and her peers through her pursuit of education at Donnelly College. 

Ian Suarez

Associate of Arts
Nominated by: Sister Marie Kathleen

Ian is a freshmen who got involved during his first semester at Donnelly. He co-founded the Jazz Club and performed during our Thanks & Giving Celebration. He recently became a member-at-large in Student Senate. Ian is a very positive person who sees the best in all people and in all situations. He is ready to volunteer where he can and is friendly to all he meets. He exemplifies the best of Donnelly! Ian has an interest in STEM fields and hopes to go into Engineering. 

Br. Martin Navarro

BS, Organizational Leadership
Nominated by: Father John Melnick

TRUTH: 
He is a 'Work Study' for Campus Ministry.  He has actively led pro-life club and pro-life issues.  He has actively participated in the various academic and social discussions and workshops on campus, seeking truth.  

EXCELLENCE:
He is a 'Straight A' Student during his four years here and has manifested outstanding study habits.   He is involved in intra-murals for past three years and has distinguished himself as an excellent soccer player and team builder.  

COMMUNITY:
He has consistently reached out to all students, promoting Donnelly Community, welcoming them and helping them to grow in a sense of self. He is active in student and campus activities (too many to list).  He has been an outstanding ambassador of Donnelly College at many events in the city and beyond.   

Br. Martin typifies everything we want to celebrate at Donnelly College.  Truth, Excellence, Community and academic achievement.

Jose Marquez 

BS, Information Systems 

Nominated by: Ana Maradiaga

Jose is a hardworking student, involved in serving our community. He has been part of Student Senate for the last two years and he is president of both the Soccer and STEM clubs. He participates in as many school activities as he can and helps out. He has good useful advice for students as a panelist in the STEM Success Student Panel. He has been an example of excellence by representing Donnelly College at Kansas State University this past summer with great success. He has contributed to our college by providing great service through the IT department. Jose is a great leader and a great example of effort, hard work, perseverance and service. 

Victoria Githieya

Practical Nursing

Nominated by: Sandra Tapp

Victoria Githieya exemplifies the Donnelly values of Truth, Excellence and Community in many ways. Victoria is a young, single female with growing, rambunctious twins who decided to better her situation. She is pursuing not only an education, but a career as a nurse. Her first stepping stone is to complete the Practical Nursing program, after which she intends to continue for her degree as a Registered Nurse. She is hoping to do this with Donnelly becasue as she has said many times, Donnelly is family.

Victoria is the first to admit when she has made a mistake. She is always transparent and looking for the truth in her dealings in life. Victoria has been able to obtain excellent grades; even when challenges seemed to cause her to stumble. She has to come to me, the Director of the Nursing program, to seek advice and guidance that will allow her to grow stronger and become the nurse she wishes to be. Victoria shows her love of the community by being available to her fellow peers by answering questions and studying together.

She recently shared a story with me regarding her values and ethics. Recently, the nursing students were given the opportunity to attend a Pro-Life convention. She was very excited to attend becasue of the impact her twins had made on her life. She reports that although it's challenging, it was the best choice she ever made by having them. 

Vilma Palma-Perez

Associate of Arts 

Nominated by: Yvonne Telep

Vilma came to Donnelly as part of the Gateway to College program and graduated with her high school diploma in May 2018. Her dream is to become a teacher, and she is working steadily and determinedly toward that goal. She has been working as a math tutor for the last four semesters and also runs Supported Study groups for math. 

Vilma has a knack for explaining difficult concepts to students in a way that makes sense to them. She is dedicated to her math tutees and has even been known to attend class with a student in order to better help them. 

The Tutoring Center is a more joyful, welcoming place because of Vilma's presence and demeanor. She really is a friend to everyone and a joy to work with. 

I want to add that Vilma's nomination was suggested to me by one of her fellow tutors who observes the great work she does and appreciates her.