The Skagit Valley College Whidbey Island Campus presented 22 departmental awards and 38 scholarships totaling $35,900 at its annual honors reception Friday, May 9.
Every year, the faculty, staff and students of the Whidbey Island Campus choose a student to receive the Yates Award, named in honor of NAS Whidbey Island Admiral Yates. This year, the prestigious Yates Award went to sophomore Raynette “Ray” Parks. Parks is a political science/communication major from Oak Harbor.
“I am very honored to receive the Yates Award,” she said. “It really makes me feel that all the work I do is appreciated. I will never forget this award, or my time on the Skagit Valley College Whidbey Island Campus.”
Parks has served two years in student government, and is finishing up a stint as the Associated Students’ vice president for the Whidbey Island Campus. She has served on numerous committees, including college governance, elections, student activities and fees budget, student government constitution review, and others.
At the state level, Parks serves as the College Civics Project state whip, encouraging young voters to get involved in the election process. She recently served on the Voice Academy writing team to develop statewide position papers to express the needs and concerns of Washington community college students. She plans to transfer to the University of Washington to continue her studies in political science and minor in public affairs.
To qualify for the Yates Award, a student must have shown outstanding leadership, community service, and academic achievement. Finalists for the award were Barbara Hansen of Anacortes and Loriel Karlik of Coupeville.
This year’s South Whidbey Center Carol Huber Award went to Alexis Pong. Named after a former center director, the Huber Award is presented each year to one South Whidbey Center graduating student who exhibits outstanding accomplishments in their academic and personal life. Pong, a mother of two young sons, is a native of South Whidbey.
Six students received President’s Medals for maintaining a 3.90 to 4.0 grade point average. They are Brianne Reynolds of Coupeville, Robert Nelson of Oak Harbor, Samuel Parker, of Coupeville, Alexis Pong of Freeland, Annette Southard of Oak Harbor and Alicia Gleason of of Mount Vernon.
