The winners of the traditional and non-traditional Student of the Year Awards will be announced at the Evening of Honors ceremony on April 14th. While only two students can be selected, many are deserving. The Awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, integrity, and service. Congratulations to the following finalists.
Traditional
Lilly Belcher (RU-Dec 2024) earned a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education with concentrations in social studies and reading. She now teaches social studies at Mill Creek Middle School in Woodstock, Georgia. She competed on the women’s soccer team and served on the campus ministries leadership team and as chief of staff for the Student Government Association. She expressed gratitude for support provided by the Academic Support Office as well as her professors saying, “Truly, I have been set up for success.”
Holli DeBord (RU-2025) is graduating with a nursing degree and serves as chaplain of her cohort. Following commencement, she plans to work as a mother-baby nurse. She strives to make a positive impact on every person she encounters. She says, “I pray that I am always a shoulder to cry on, a smile to brighten your day, and someone that you can always count on.”
Jenna Gonzalez (RU-2025) is earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre with a minor in dance. She participated in twelve theatre productions, as well as opera and dance performances at Reinhardt, both onstage and behind the scenes. She also enjoyed working with K-12 musical theatre summer camp students. She shares, “The greatest service I ever hope to perform is to love others and to be wise enough to know how.”
Andrew Paolozzi (RU-2025) is pursuing a business major with a concentration in digital marketing. He serves as a leader on the track and field team and won multiple conference championships in the hammer throw and weight throw. He is president and co-founder of the Reinhardt Business Club, and vice president of the Student Government Association. He reflects, “Servant leadership is one of my favorite things — giving back as much as I can.”
Tom Vincent (RU-2025) majors in biology and earned awards for his performance on the cross country and track teams. He serves as vice president for the TriBeta biology honor society and enjoys participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a member of Alpha Chi honor society. He says, “I do not pride myself on the outcomes. Rather I take pride in the process.”
Non-traditional
Abigail Merchant Knight (RU-2020 & 2028) is pursuing her second degree from Reinhardt. She graduated in 2020 with a double-major in history and fine arts, and a minor in museum studies. After becoming a caregiver to her husband, she discovered a new calling and returned to pursue a nursing degree. She explains, “As I begin my next journey with God’s help, I am eager for new challenges and opportunities to support the community and families I will encounter.”
Ivan Patta (RU-2025), who grew up in the Italian island of Sardinia, always desired of studying in the United States. He majored in business administration with a sports studies minor and became a captain of the soccer team and inducted into the Alpha Chi honor society. He believes, “Only through work do you overcome adversity. Only through setting a good example do you inspire others.”
Madison Peterson (RU-Dec 2024) graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a reading and dyslexia endorsement. A serious hearing impairment didn’t deter her from completing her degree with honors, and she enjoyed educating students and staff about hearing loss. She explains, “We aren’t defined by the events that occur, but by how we choose to respond to them.”
Nicole Wallace (RU-2025) is earning a bachelor’s degree in the online business administration (BBA) program. She is employed at the Coca-Cola Company, helps run a new family business, and home-schools her youngest son. She values the power of determination, curiosity, and faith, and applies these strengths throughout her life. She says, “There is no such thing as too old or too late to be curious and learn something new.”
