Students at College of Western Idaho (CWI) were recognized and celebrated for their leadership on campus and in the community at the Student Leadership Banquet Friday, April 15, at Wahooz Galaxy Event Center in Meridian.
Student Leadership Award Winners for 2021-2022
Community Service Program of the Year
The Community Service Program of the Year award honors a program that has engaged students in service while encouraging students to selflessly serve beyond this one experience.
- Biology Club for their Pollinator Garden Maintenance event, which brought individuals together to gain important knowledge on the environment while doing incredible things for the community.
Social Program of the Year
This award recognizes a program that has contributed to the sense of community on campus by encouraging students to come together and meaningfully engage with one another and/or the Ada County/Canyon County communities.
- Art Club for their Self-Care Art Night which created a safe space for students to engage with each other and take care of themselves.
Student Organization of the Year
This award is presented to an organization that demonstrates excellence in all areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, and leadership development.
- Gaming Club for positively affecting the lives of students.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
The Student Organization Advisor Award honors an advisor who has excelled in providing support and assistance to a club/organization. The recipient has devoted time and service that has played a key role in the organization’s success.
- Annie Estvold from the Social Work Club for going above and beyond in every aspect to make sure the club and her students are taken care of.
Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year
The Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year Award honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their term of office and has enhanced participation and involvement within their organization, the campus, and the community as a whole.
- Tawa Giwa from the International Club for being a key leader holding multiple positions, leading dynamic conversations about important topics, coming up with creative ideas for engagement, and helping others feel welcome and engaged.
Quiet Influence Award
This award honors an individual student who has contributed to their organization and campus community in a meaningful yet behind-the-scenes way.
- Mili Smith from the International Club for completing their behind-the-scenes responsibilities seamlessly contributing to the club’s success.
Rising Leader Award
This award honors a student who does not need a title in order to fill a leadership role. This student has shown throughout the year a newfound commitment to serve the Ada and Canyon County campuses and communities side-by-side with the elected student leaders and administration of the campus. This student can be found helping to complete any task needed while helping to model the core values and mission of the College.
- Jacob Highburger from the Gaming Club for contributing to the success of the club by building connections with students and driving the formation of eSports at the College.
Trailblazing Leadership Award
This prestigious award honors a second-year or graduating student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. The Trailblazing Leadership Award includes those students who have come to CWI with leadership experience or have developed leadership skills through the many opportunities the campus offers. Through their involvement, recipients of the Trailblazing Leadership Award have shown ambitions to improve campus life and strengthen the Ada and Canyon County communities.
- Craig Petersen from the Psychology Club for his ambition, natural leadership skills, and willingness to do all he can to help others and improve the community.
Latinx Scholar of the Year
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and contribution to student development, leadership, and success in the Latinx Scholars program in the CWI community.
- Alexis Lopez for his academic achievements, commitment to responsibilities, and encouragement and motivation to others.
Navegando Mentor of the Year
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and contribution to student development and success in the Navegando Mentoring program in the CWI community. This student embodies CWI inclusivity by ensuring every student at socials/workshops, etc. is treated with dignity and worth without any bias.
- Joevannie Fajardo for being a friendly and familiar face at mentor trainings, workshops, events, and around campus and for being respectful, inclusive, positive, hardworking, and more.
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes a student who is an active contributor to the Latinx programs. This student works hard to enhance personal leadership skills within an organization on campus or in the community, has established co-curricular involvement at CWI, and exhibits the potential and desire for continued leadership within the college community.
- Denise Merino for creating welcoming environments anywhere she is, establishing genuine relationships with her peers, and motivating others to participate and get involved.
Trailblazing Leadership Award, Presidential Ambassador
The Trailblazing Award honors a second-year or graduating student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. Through their involvement, recipients of the Trailblazing Leadership Award have shown ambitions to improve campus life and strengthen the Ada and Canyon County communities.
- Ana Rodriguez for always stepping up to volunteer, engaging during events, asking fabulous questions, and on top of it all consistently.
Thank you, and congratulations to all our student leaders, clubs, organizations, advisors, staff, and faculty who have helped make the 2021-2022 academic year a success!
