Foundation Outstanding Student Awards | Ogden-Weber Technical College

The “Foundation Outstanding Student Awards” recognize student efforts and achievement and are sponsored by America First Credit Union. Students are recognized for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, good progress and attendance; willingness to help other students; assistance in working with student tour groups; volunteer efforts on behalf of the college; overcoming obstacles and turning their lives around; and classroom performance above the norm.

Employees are asked to submit the names of students, generally on a monthly basis when funding is available. Those who are selected are recognized in their program areas by administration and foundation members. Students receive a special foundation award certificate as well as a $50 gift certificate that can be used for tuition or purchases in the College Store.

April 2021

Nathaniel Claussen

Is an exceptional student and excellent colleague.
Is constantly looking for ways to expand his own knowledge and then share it with his fellow students
Is regularly over progress by a substantial amount.
Created an app for the school that allows students and visitors to find their way to any campus location.
Is currently working on a game to help fellow students better learn programming in a fun new way.
Is always spreading a positive attitude and always looking for ways to leave the classroom better than when he arrived.

John Bolds

Has excellent progress—285 percent; cumulative—188 percent
Spends time to foster a wonderful group dynamic that can be especially hard to come by in an open-entry program. This is the kind of esprit de corps mentality that can influence a program to become infused with a peer-driven tradition of excellence.
Has a talent for video production and volunteered a significant effort to create a video that uniquely captures the flavor of what Automation can do for a prospective student. It’s gotten rave reviews from everyone that has viewed it, and speaking for myself and my 35-year history in the business, tells our story in a way I’ve not seen before.
Excellence is the standard he always works toward. It makes for a very pleasurable and collaborative teacher/student environment.

March 2021

Addison Keller

Started program with only 1.75 credits and just received her high school diploma last week with a total of 25 credits.
Was determined to get her diploma this year and worked incredibly hard to achieve that goal, even though she’s only 17.
Has excelled in the Construction program. Placed second in the SkillsUSA Construction competition.
Has overcome some challenges in the past and has blossomed in the program to become a confident young leader.
Is quick to assist on large projects and was a huge factor in the program’s success in completing the YCC hearts that have been placed all around Ogden. Came in after hours to assist the construction instructors in making sure the concrete was poured and set in time.
Is a team player who never backs down from a challenge.
Has participated in every service project this year, from making blankets for the homeless shelter to hauling away trees in Mt. Ogden Park after the windstorm.
Is reliable, and her strength (both physical and mental) is inspiring.
Was awarded an AmeriCorps education scholarship for completing 450 hours of service which gives her $1,600 toward her continued education. Is working toward an additional 225 hours for a second award.
Has ambitions to continue her education at OTECH, pursuing a certification in graphic design with the hopes of enrolling at WSU eventually to earn a degree in photography.

Theresa Perotti

Is one of the hardest working students the instructors have ever had in the program.
Completes her assignments with care and is focused on understanding each concept to the fullest before moving forward.
Isn’t afraid to ask for help or request additional lab time when she feels she needs more practice.
The instructors have all been impressed with Terri’s performance in the lab, which directly reflects the amount of time she spends outside of class studying.
Is one of the few students to score 100 percent on the pharmacology final containing over 320 different drugs.
Achieves so much because she works so incredibly hard.
Enrolled in the program during a pandemic and has flourished.
Is so kind and humble.

Kelsey Cummens

Instructor has worked with her for the past three years, including when she participated in the AM STEM course. She is a driving force!
When it seems Kelsey has given everything she has to learn a skill and stumbles, she turns it up and pushes through with incredible determination.
In all of the instructor’s years in management and instruction, he has only seen a handful of technicians/students that have her determination to push through difficult hurdles to reach the end goal.
Kelsey has an extremely busy schedule, works two jobs, is a full-time student at Weber State working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, and is enrolled 12 hours a week at the college.
She has maintained great progress and attendance and is expected to finish the IA Certificate in the next three weeks.

October 2020

Jordan Stimpson

Started the program on June 15 and has been a whirlwind of motivation and speed ever since. Have never had a student complete the program so quickly!
Is currently starting her final skills and will be out of externship soon.
Is a self-starter who is always on time, set up, and ready to go.
Has cumulative progress of 208 percent with 99.75 percent attendance.
Has started and will complete the program during the pandemic.
Is eager to learn and improve her skills.
When a skill or element of a skill doesn’t go right, she practices until she masters it.
Is an amazing student

February 2020

Kylee Paul

She is phenomenally motivated to complete the program before she graduates high school.
Her progress is not only excellent, but her initiative in the classroom to help her classmates is admirable. She is always willing to answer their questions or coach them if an instructor isn’t immediately available.
In the clinic she takes the initiative to ensure that tasks are complete and that set up, cleaning, stocking, and maintenance are completed, often without instructors even asking.
She has been a model student and leader in the classroom and clinic.

John Peterson

He works very hard to make sure he understands the material covered in each module.
He created a set of flash cards to help him learn the materials.
He takes each test very seriously and studies as if each one is the final exam, which better prepares him for the final for the class as well as the Journeyman License at the end of the program.

December 2019

Ethan Ward

Has maintained excellent progress since enrolling which was at the end of his junior year. That’s right–he dedicated his summer to his education!
Is willing to work on every project asked of him and has proven to be an excellent baker. Is truly a hard worker.
Is UBER POLITE and gets along with everyone. When four other members of our faculty/staff were asked, every single one mentioned how nice he is!
Is so kind and agreeable, and can always be counted on to show a new student the ropes.
Stays busy, and we never find him loafing about. This is not a trait you can easily teach someone–this is a GIFT.
We are so lucky he chose our culinary program. We wish we could duplicate him. Seriously.

Jordan Gerbich

Is the fifth of seven children in his family.
Has been living with his single mom for the past few years, trying to help as much as he can financially by doing local landscaping and yardwork in his community.
Has been in the YouthBuild program since September 3, 2019, and has maintained a perfect 100 percent attendance through the first 10 weeks of our program, which includes arriving for our 7:30 a.m. morning meeting each day too.
Is working hard toward his high school diploma and has about 10 more credits to go before graduation next June. Is confident he will earn all of his credits.
Has already seen gains in all three areas of his TABE scores.
Has been excited about learning as much as he can about the construction field since the first day he started.
Coordinated with the Department of Workforce Services to receive funding for his tool belt (which he proudly wears), as well as appropriate outdoor construction clothing, including his steel-toed boots.
Has also been assisting with the program’s joint project with Habitat for Humanity in building a home for a low-income family here in Ogden.
Never hesitates to help others, whether he is asked by staff, or simply sees the need to help and goes to work.
Has been an excellent workplace model to others in the program. His determination to work hard and do good will undoubtedly lead him to an excellent job and career someday.

October 2019

Madison Heinecke

Madi is a very intelligent and determined student.
She has 140% progress and 100% attendance.
Madi has made the top 5 for student of the year, and is very excited to be able to represent the school.
She helps other students with anything she can and is always very kind to everyone.

Aaron Downing

Retired 20-year Air Force serviceman.
Aaron demonstrates true Professionalism with everything he says and does.
He is a great example to all other students.
500 hrs. into the program, Aaron has already accomplished a lot, including all required book work and testing.
Aaron has also taken and passed his State board theory test, one of 2 tests required by the State testing to apply for a State Barbering license.
Aaron has maintained a 98% Attendance and 98% progress so far.
Aaron is very friendly and helpful with the new students as they complete basics and start services on the floor.

June 2019

Josh Osborn

Had a goal to get into National Technical Honor Society and worked extra hard to achieve this goal by exceeding in progress and attendance.
Cumulative progress and attendance is outstanding.
Has been very helpful in troubleshooting and suggesting improvements within the program for upcoming students.
Is an outstanding student who will do great things in the IT industry.

May 2019

Alejandro Garcia

Instructors call him “Smiles” because from the moment he walks into the door, he always has a smile along with a positive attitude. It’s contagious and effects everyone around him.
Is very tasked orientated and will help any student in need.
Is a great asset to his company (Barnes Aerospace) and a great representative of this program.
From having very little skill as an operator to becoming a well-rounded technician at Barnes Aerospace, he has come a long way in the time he has been here.

Frances Altamirano

Has consistently met progress and attendance standards in addition to working full-time and raising three children.
Is always friendly.
Is a pleasure to have in the classroom.
Care about what she’s doing here, and it shows in her work.

April 2019

Faith Nemah

Is a student that struggled when she started the Medical Assisting program. There were things in her life that were difficult, and school did not come easy for her.
Is a single mom, and her daughters are the driving force in her life. She works hard so that she and her daughters can have a better life.
Is a fantastic student and has used her difficulties in life as a motivator for her work at school.
Is always willing to volunteer to help other students as a practice patient.
Always works harder and is quick to ask questions when a concept is difficult for her to understand.
Seeks out necessary help if she doesn’t pass a test on the first attempt
Attendance and progress have increased the further she has progressed in the program.
Is the model student for the college’s mission of building a technically-skilled workforce one student at a time. Has surpassed all of the instructor’s expectations.

Kylee Lollar

Has a bright and beautiful smile and a continual positive and “can do” attitude. Brightens the day of all who know her.
When Kylee started the PN Program, she was expecting the birth of her fourth child. Was concerned how all this would work out. The instructors worked with her to develop a plan, get her clinical hours completed, and grant her extensions with assignments as necessary.
Although Kylee is not the first student instructors have had in the program who was expecting a child, she certainly was the MOST determined to not get behind. She worked diligently to get all of her assignments completed ahead of time and even completed an extra clinical shift to make sure she completed all her required clinical hours. Returned to school quickly as soon as her baby was born.
Being a wife and mom of four children AND go to nursing school is a definite challenge, but Kylee met the challenge head-on.
Continues to always give 110 percent. Her assignments are always high-quality and detail-oriented.
Attendance continues to be 99 percent or better each month.
Is a sharp and quick learner, able to think critically, all while tenderly caring for her patients.
Volunteers her time to assist in the program’s Student Governance/Activities Committee.

Micheal Oakes

Moved here from Missouri for a job that did not pan out and found the tech college so he could better his circumstances.
Is always early and usually stays late.
Progress is over 150 percent, and it gets higher every time he submits his STR.
Always shows up with his PPE and ready to work.
Instructor has never seen a more professional individual and knows he will excel anywhere in the industry he chooses.
Is the first to volunteer his assistance in any circumstance. Instructor has seen him take the initiative and drop everything to help someone hold a part, move a project, or give words of encouragement.
Had zero welding experience before stepping into the fabrication lab, and within the first day of welding, had passed a dozen welds. Instructor has never seen a student pick up welding like Micheal has.
Was building shop projects in the first week.
To date, has completed more shop projects than any two students combined.
Has been invaluable to the Metal Fabrication program and other programs and individuals.
Instructor indicated that he has seen people who do this work for a living that do not have the skills Micheal has.
Always asks for projects to do. Quality of work is second to none.

Juan Estrada

Has good progress, attendance, and is willing to help other students, but that is not what sets him apart.
Has what employers crave: determination, self-motivation, reliability, and is very respectful. Instructor stated that if he did not know better, he would say Juan was a robot programmed to be the perfect student.
Best way to describe Juan’s performance in the Automotive Program is not super or awesome but Super Awesome!

March 2019

Brylee Robinson

Is a high school student from DaVinci Academy.
Is a fantastic student, always going above and beyond to be helpful to everyone in the kitchen.
Always has a great attitude and is very friendly to her classmates and respectful to her instructors.
Has maintained excellent attendance and progress. She even has a couple of months of 100 percent attendance.
Often find Brylee doing everyone’s dishes to help the kitchen stay clean and the work to move forward, doing this without being asked.
Typically keeps herself busy, a trait that is hard to teach but something every employer wants. Cheryl says of Brylee: “She sees a need a just does it.”
Can count on Brylee to help with whatever project with a positive willingness.
Has tackled every challenge head on and is on track to complete the program early.

Krista Hernandez

Has been a great student, keeping her progress and attendance in good standing, and was willing to step up and help as we trained two new instructors.
Hired her as a work-study for our program. On her first day, we asked her to sit at the table for the 9th grade exploration week, and she jumped at the experience.
Steps right up to help other students, both in the classroom and in the lab, with repairs.
Is a great tech with the patience to handle anything handed to her.
Sets goals and accomplishes them.
Is a great asset to the instructors, students, and program.

Mira Monroe

Will be the very first Dental Assisting high school student to complete her program before she graduates from high school!
Starts her externship this month and will receive her Dental Assisting Certificate well before her high school graduation.
Has a cumulative progress of 180 percent. Her progress for February was a whopping 201 percent!!
Has overcome challenges life has thrown at her and is absolutely driven to create a bright future for herself.
Is always on time, prepared, and excited to learn and develop her skills.
Also participated in our Chamber of Commerce Lab Crawl. She enthusiastically crafted whipped-cream sundaes in our manikin’s mouth and trained Chamber members on suctioning and rinsing.
Dreams of one day becoming a dental hygienist. In the meantime, we’re sure she will make an excellent dental assistant, and her enthusiasm and dedication will benefit our community.

February 2019

Skye Detwiler

Is an outstanding student.
Has excellent progress (over 167 percent) and attendance (over 81 percent).
Is very respectful and courteous to her instructors and classmates.
Always on task and makes great use of her time; work is excellent.
Her goal is to complete the Business program before graduating high school, which she is very much on track to achieve.
Very committed to her goal–before leaving for a two-week family trip, she asked to start a new course as she expected to complete the one she was in soon and wanted something to work on…while she was in Hawaii.
Skye is an outstanding student. (mic drop)

Tiffanie Brown

Has exhibited excellent study and work habits, especially given some schedule challenges she faces as she raises a family and goes to school here.
Driven to succeed in a field very dominated driven.
Has a soft voice but a big heart.
Is always welcoming to new students and takes time to get to know them.
Has a way about herself to calm a stressful situation.
Instructors have seen her grow from a timid individual to one full of confidence.
Will succeed in any field she desires.

Linden Schooler

Has been one of the best students I have had the honor to instruct. (Mike Tolson)
Has overcome some major hurdles in his past and is working harder than anyone I know to move his life in a positive direction.
Has been seen helping other students with lab problems or picking them up if they are having a rough day on numerous occasions.
Has a way about him that helps students break out and settle in with their new venture.
Has really invested himself in the program and goes out of his way to help other students and assist with college activities.

Derek Liebes

Is battling serious health issues but still gets to school.
Work very diligently to complete his studies.

Alex Griffeth

Related to Belinda Griffeth, college’s Student of the Year.
Is just as conscientious and dedicated as her mother.
Has been a phenomenal student.
Is eager to learn, respectful, and willing and helpful to her classmates.
Cheerfully participated in the Lab Crawl, helping Chamber members learn to love suctioning and delighting them with her cute personality.
Instructors are impressed with Alex’s work ethic and are certain she will make an excellent dental assistant and ambassador for the college.

January 2019

Yareli Galvan

Is a young single mother, student, and leader.
Has been attending YouthBuild since October.
Has kept her attendance above 90 percent even though she has a two year-old daughter.
Is exemplary in her studies. Requests academic work so she can do it during her lunch break.
Completes all tasks without question when at the construction site.
Stays self-motivated at the YCC construction site, and helps other students stay motivated as well.
Expresses her commitment to the other students by serving on the Youth Policy Committee. As a committee member, she takes the voice of her peers to the director.
Helps plan service projects, YouthBuild activities, and even assisted in writing the 2019 grant.
Participate in a secondary service project with another student during the holidays. They aided a non-profit organization called GrandFamilies. By giving her time to this organization, she was able to give many families a Christmas event they might not have otherwise been able to have. It was an honor to watch her interact with the children and their grandparents.
Is determined to graduate from high school, complete the CNA program, and finish her AmeriCorps award.
Is an exceptional choice for the outstanding student award because not only is she changing the lives of all of those around her at this time, but she will continue to do so throughout her life.

Elijah Seljaas

Is a model student that keeps busy working on clients.
Helps other students with their clients.
Is always friendly to everyone in the program.
Clients often ask for him.
Is progressing rapidly through the program and demonstrates true professionalism.
Has completed 800 hours; has 200 hours left to complete the program
Progress and attendance have consistently been at 90 percent or better.
Provides great haircut and shaving services.

Danielle Berger

Always goes out of her way to help others.
Never turns anyone down when they ask her to volunteer.
Prides herself on excellence and always tries to excel at her first attempt.
Is an encouragement to her classmates and has a fun sense of humor.
Is a joy to have in the evening class.
Is an extremely motivated student.
Progress and attendance are outstanding (146.99 percent cumulative progress; 92.55 percent cumulative attendance).

May 2018

Hannah Chappell

Hannah: champion cake baker and state SkillsUSA competitor.
She is willing to drop what she is working on to help out anywhere in the kitchen.
She shows the ability to lead and will make a great addition to any team.
She is friendly, helpful, and a joy to be around.

April 2018

Rachael Hendershot

Rachael is a quick learner; able to think critically while tenderly caring for her patients.
She volunteers her time to assist in the program’s student governance/activities committee.
She has 100% progress and 99% or better attendance each month.
Rachael was recently nominated for National Technical Honor Society.

Sidnee Myers

Sidnee Myers is an absolute “rock star.” Although she’s only been here two months and is only scheduled for two hours a few times a week, she’s managed to accomplish more than many of her full-time peers.
She’s very thorough with her assignments, stays on task, and displays an extremely professional demeanor.
It is indeed a pleasure to nominate such a worthy student.

March 2018

Kaitlyn Child

Kaitlyn is fabulous student with a positive atitude
Kaitlyn is an amazing nail artist and blows 3-D nail art out of the water!
She loves taking clients and helps us with anything we need.
She has good progress and attendance.

Arturo Loza

He has done remarkably well in the Metal Fab program. From day one he was off and running.
His work ethic when combined with his constantly developing skills will make him a formidable asset to anywhere in the industry.
He has taken the initiative to push his own skills and has developed remarkable welding abilities.

February 2018

Czahrina Castro

Always tries to give 110% in all she does.
She contributes in class, asks thoughtful questions and her love of learning shows in her coursework.
She is very detail oriented, and uses our feedback to continually improve her assignments.
She has excellent progress in all her courses, and has 98% or better attendance each month.
She volunteers her time to assist in the program’s Student Governance/Activities Committee.
She consistently conducts herself in a professional manner and in the clinical setting, her caring and compassionate side shines
through.

Rachel Uson

Despite having started in September of last year, she has already completed over 60% of her certificate courses.
Her attendance is at a 99.8%.
Part of her success can be attributed to her regular interaction with her instructors. She is never hesitant to ask for clarification or additional insight about assignments.
She is extremely respectful in her interactions with her fellow students.
Rachel Uson is a true outstanding student in our Business program.

Teresa Krolak

Teresa always comes to class on time.
Her progress and attendance are always great.
She has a good attitude, is always cheerful and easy to work with.
Despite everything going on in life, she maintains good focus on her classes and education.

January 2018

Taylor Kidman

Taylor has shown herself to be an exemplary student. Taylor started the program in November and in the short time that she has been here, has proven to be extremely capable and very motivated.
She has 96% attendance so far for the month of January and progress an astounding 323%!
I am continuously impressed with Taylor’s drive and the pace of her progress.
She is kind, bright, respectful and professional.

Wyatt Rommel

Wyatt has 100% attendance.
His goal is to be a role model for future “YouthBuilders”.
Arranged his school and work schedule to help his ill father who is a farmer/rancher.
Is dedicated to YouthBuild and to OTECH.
Wants to be an example of success.

Justin Hulme

Justin is focused and passionate about Industrial Automation.
He takes charge of his education and his intent on understanding the content in front of him.
We are impressed by Justin’s dedication and feel that he will go far in this industry.
We are looking forward to seeing what else Justin brings to the table as whatever company is lucky enough to pick him up will have a true asset.

Kolten Probert

Kolten has been a go getter since day one. He is always polite, has a smile on his face and is an asset to the OTECH Welding Fabrication program.
He is eager to lend a hand if a fellow student is struggling.
He always leaves his work station clean and orderly, and tackles each task fearlessly.
Kolten has exhibited attributes of the ideal student. He comes to class early, enthusiastic to be here and ready to work.
Is organized, punctual, and always has a pleasant attitude.
He has embraced challenges in the Metal Fabrication program and has utilized them to expand and refine his skills.

November 2017

Gary Odam

Served as a United States Marine for 20 years.
Has excellent progress and attendance.
Has a great attitude.
Is a great example to the younger students in class and has assisted them on several occasions.

October 2017

Abigail Leake

Has outstanding cumulative progress (205.65 percent) and attendance (90.32 percent) for the period of June 2017 to October 2017.
Is a model student, serving as an excellent example to other students with her work ethic and determination.
Graduated from high school in May 2017. Prior to graduating in May, she interviewed for an architectural CAD position at Van Zeeben Architects in Ogden. They were impressed with her, and she was hired and started working for them one week after graduation.
Has continued her education in the CAD program and is now in her final hours; will be completing the program with her certification within the month.
Her peers are impressed that she is already working in her career so soon after graduation and have asked her how she did it. Of course she explains to them her choice in attending this institution.

Jessica Mann

Is a fun student to be around and brings an amazing attitude to class.
Is a model student, serving as an excellent example to other students with her work ethic and determination.
Is constantly pushing herself to be and do better.
If she is struggling with a certain nail service, she does it more until she has mastered it.
If a walk-in client comes in and a student is needed, she always takes on the challenge.

Ronnie Cunningham

Maintains excellent progress and attendance, enough to be nominated for the National Technical Honor Society.
Is a model student, serving as an excellent example to other students with her work ethic and determination.
Always willing to help with after-hours catering events and Board of Directors catering.
Has become a leader in class and is friendly to all.
Is organized, punctual, and always has a pleasant attitude.
Is respectful to all students, staff, and faculty.

Mark Voreis

Is an excellent student.
Is always willing to help other students with their procedures.
Has volunteered at the college’s golf tournament and enjoyed it.
In a class where male students are in demand for certain procedures, e.g., EKG, he is always willing to stop his work and help his fellow students.
Has excellent progress, attendance, and attitude in class.