The Student Team and Academic Recognition System (STARS) award ceremony, honoring outstanding student and group achievements from spring and summer 2013 terms, was held Thursday, October 17, 2013. Presenters Giles Lee, Director of Co-Curricular Activities; Amber Justice, Student Government President; Libby Villavicencio, Executive Director of the Hocking College Foundation; Judy Bowie, Registrar; and Hocking College President Dr. Ron Erickson honored the recipients.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) students received the "Most Outstanding Contribution to Community" award for their work with the Soles 4 Soles Project. The ESL students volunteered their time to collect shoes, under the supervision of instructor Carla Ryan, and donate them to the national organization that provides them to victims of natural disasters or those subject to poverty in such countries as Jamaica, Haiti, Honduras, Tanzania, Costa Rica and India. This award recognizes a project that made a positive impact on campus or community life.
Bowie presented a second award for "Most Outstanding Contribution to Community" to students in the Fitness Management program for their work with Special Olympics. These students donated their time and efforts to help with the Special Olympics event management.
Villavicencio presented the Hocking Woods Nature Center with the "Green Award," for their Spring Equinox Program. Students from the School of Natural Resources worked hard to create a program open to campus and community, providing interactive, hands-on programs for local children to experience the joys and wonders of nature on the Spring Equinox. This award recognizes outstanding efforts in the area of education of sustainable, renewable and environmental issues or the implementation thereof.
The Culinary Arts program students received the "We Are One Hocking Award for Cross-Cultural Understanding" from Dr. Erickson for their "Dine Across the World Program." The award honors outstanding efforts in the area of cross-cultural education and community unification.
Students who were named to the Dean's List and Scholar's List were also honored at the ceremony for their achievement.
