Wallace State’s Talent Search program conducts annual TRIO Day celebration
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College recently recognized area students from the 6th-9th grades during its Talent Search TRIO Day, capping another year with a celebration day at the college.
Talent Search participants who attended TRIO Day at Wallace State included high school freshmen from Cold Springs, Good Hope, Hanceville, Brewer, Falkville, Brindlee Mountain and Douglas. Hanceville Middle School, Holly Pond Middle School, Falkville and Hayden Middle School each had 6th-8th graders recognized.
Wallace State’s Talent Search, which holds a year-end event on campus each May, is a federally funded TRIO program which provides college information, academic support and activities such as campus visits in order to encourage students to complete high school and enroll in college. The Wallace State Talent Search program includes participants in Blount, Cullman, Marshall and Morgan Counties.
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics was among the first guests to welcome the Talent Search students to campus.
“This is an important day for us because we get to host you in a visit to our campus. The TRIO and Talent Search program is really about exposing promising students to educational opportunities across the state. Our goal is for you to go to college. We want you at Wallace State, but we want you to go to college because it helps shape your future,” Karolewics said.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, 36, followed Karolewics as this year’s keynote speaker. Gentry, who was elected to his first term last November, spoke to the group about persevering through challenges in life, leadership qualities and emphasized the importance of obtaining an education.
Certain students in attendance received recognition and medals for most improved academic achievements and good attitudes throughout the entire school year. Wallace State Talent Search Project Director Kristi Nyquist also commended the school counselors and mentors in the audience.
The Most Improved Award went to Deja Miller, Hanceville Middle School; August Floyd, Holly Pond Middle School; Mackenzie Cobb, Falkville; Jimmy Davis; Falkville; Autumn Phillips, Hayden Middle School and Hunter Whitworth, Hayden Middle School.
The award for Best Attitude was given to Kam Elderhart, Hayden Middle School; Hannah Silvers, Hanceville Middle School; Daron Giles, Holly Pond Middle School; Mario Ochoa, Falkville; Jordan Armstrong, Hayden Middle School and Mike Niclo, Falkville.
All students in attendance concluded the day’s events by touring different Wallace State departments, including the School of Nursing and Center for Science.
Along with Nyquist, Evelyn Timmons, Melissa Arnold, Todd Abbott and Shiela Mosley are each Wallace State Talent Search employees.
For more information about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.
Winners of the Best Attitude Award at TRIO Day were, from left, Kam Elderhart, Hayden Middle School; Hannah Silvers, Hanceville Middle School; Daron Giles, Holly Pond Middle School; Mario Ochoa, Falkville and Jordan Armstrong, Hayden Middle School. Not pictured is Mike Niclo of Falkville.
Winners of the Most Improved Award at TRIO Day were, from left, Deja Miller, Hanceville Middle School; August Floyd, Holly Pond Middle School; Mackenzie Cobb, Falkville; Jimmy Davis; Falkville; Autumn Phillips, Hayden Middle School and Hunter Whitworth, Hayden Middle School.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry served at this year’s keynote speaker.
Wallace State Talent Search Project Coordinator Kristi Nyquist.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
Kristen Holmes
Director, WSCC Communications & Marketing,
and Administrator, The Evelyn Burrow Museum
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW, PO Box 2000
Hanceville, AL 35077
256.352.8118 w 256.339.2519 c
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu