HCC’S SOUTHSHORE CAMPUS CELEBRATES 15TH ANNUAL STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore campus celebrated its 15th annual Student Excellence Awards to recognize exceptional students and staf

Around 200 faculty, students and community members attended the program held at the Main Kings Point Clubhouse. The awards recognized the dean’s list of students and faculty along with staf of the year.

Campus President Dr. Jennifer Wells China invited her Presidential Advisory Council to support their outstanding students and staf

This year’s Faculty of the Year Award went to mathematics professor Dr. Craig Hardesty.

“The Faculty of the Year Award represents a faculty member who fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration among students,” said executive staf assistant Brenda Sanchez.

Job placement assistant Fauna Keppen was given the Staf Person of the Year Award at the SouthShore event as well.

“The Staf Person of the Year Award represents a staf member who demonstrates a high degree of excellence and integrity in their work, which promotes improvement in the overall student body of the SouthShore campus,” explained Sanchez.

Librarian Roxanna Palmer received the

By Lily Belcher

Servant Leadership Award to recognize her stewardship and community building and the impact she has had on campus.

Finally, Student of the Year was awarded to Allen Chen. Chen is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend the University of South Florida in the fall.

“Mr. Chen is a stellar student who has also provided service and leadership excellence,” said Sanchez.

Hillsborough Community College serves around 45,000 students every year across all five of its campuses. Each campus, including the SouthShore location, has diferent clubs and organizations for all students, including a Student Government Association and a Student Nurses Organization.

The SouthShore campus is home to the Lennard Collegiate Academy, which partners with Lennard High School to help students earn their associate degree in high school. It also ofers EMT, paramedic and nursing pathways and is a green campus.

Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore campus is located at 551 24th St. NE in Ruskin, right across the street from Lennard High School.

Call 813-253-7000. To book a tour, www. hccfl.edu/campus-life/southshore-campus.

Two Quest Volleyball Academy teams earned USAV (USA Volleyball) Bids at the national qualifiers this season. The 16 Taylor team earned their bid at the Lone Star Classic in Dallas and the 13 Sue team earned a rare two bids in the Sunshine Classic.

A USAV Bid is awarded to a top-performing team and earns the team a spot in the most competitive national tournaments each year.

“These two teams, like others in our program, have worked their way to the top of the age divisions and are well known as competitors in our area,” said director Teresa Tanski. “… Teams like this aren’t built in a season — they’re built because hardworking athletes share a common goal and work towards that goal every day.”

The 16 Taylor team consists of high school sophomores, many of whom have played at Quest for at least two years. The biggest challenge that faced the 16 Taylor team were injuries. One athlete, Siah Kennedy, tore her ACL, and Pamela DeJesus sufered a foot injury during the qualifier, but other, minor injuries have plagued the team during the tournament.

“The players have had to truly step up