Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) recognized its top-performing students during its 2025 Academic Excellence Ceremony on April 15. The event celebrated 126 honor students who maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and featured the presentation of the college’s most prestigious academic honor, the Academic Excellence Award, to Brandon Maples. The ceremony also honored student leaders, ambassadors, and nominees for statewide student awards.
BCCC Celebrates Academic Excellence
The event highlighted the academic accomplishments of students across all curriculum programs. Among the 136 graduating students, 25 earned perfect 4.0 GPAs and will graduate summa cum laude. Others were recognized with magna cum laude and cum laude distinctions.
Brandon Maples Receives Top Award
Brandon Maples was awarded the Academic Excellence Award, presented by Dr. Lisa Hill, vice president of academic affairs. Maples originally enrolled in Beaufort CCC to fulfill federal qualifications for a 486 Wildlife Biologist position. He later chose to complete an Associate in Applied Science in Agribusiness Technology, and plans to transition into supervisory roles with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Balancing full-time work and parenting a five-year-old, Maples has maintained a 4.0 GPA. In his current USDA role, he works to reduce human-wildlife conflict, particularly with endangered species like sea turtles, oystercatchers, and piping plovers. His most recent project uses radio collars to track coyotes on the Outer Banks, helping to protect fragile ecosystems while gaining field experience he brings into the classroom.
2025 Graduating Honor Students
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
Kennedy Brooklyn Arnold, Lillian Grace Avery, I’shawna Qualiyah Belcher, Jocelyn Botello-Salazar, Karen Santibanez Castaneda, Rachel Dawn Fox, Grace Elizabeth Gaskins, Mariah Catherine Hux, Kelly Gene Johnson, Karalise Duyen Thi Mai, Shala Ashante Melton, Maxwell D. Vansant, Lauren Spain White
Magna Cum Laude (GPA of 3.80–3.99)
Christopher F. Alonso-Burgos, Zsane’ Elise Bell, Kaitlyn Rose Boyd, Rosaleigh Eleanore Clipperton, Lucas Honeycutt Cutler, Deon Anthony Davis, Brenna Rain Finch, David Joseph Helie, Evelyn Tavera Maqueda, Brittany Stephens McLean, Sandy Castillo Miranda, Yulissa Gonzalez Ochoa, Aaron Benjamin Perkins, Kimberly Ramirez-Mendoza, Dasha Nalani Refour, Alyssa Marie Whitted
Cum Laude (GPA of 3.5–3.79)
Yoselyn Solano Adriano, Melissa Dawn Anglemyer, Leela Renne Black, Emma Caroline Boyd, Amber Nicole Braxton, Jakhi Martise Bryant, Maya Itzel Carvallo, Mariah Xing Min Caudle, Gabriella Maria Collins, Mallorie Carole Cook-Coltrain, Madelyn Elena DeSoto, Jordan Malik Distance, Nicholas A. Edwards, Hailey Yovani Eldridge, Yamilet Martinez Franquez, Victor Sanchez Garcia, Layla Cotten Garner, Cheyenne Alexis Gibbs, Danielle Chaques Gibbs Grays, Aaliyah Simone Hollis, Keyandra Swain Holloway, Sarah Elizabeth Hudnell, Sydney Joelle Hux, Robert Edward King, Lenaye Ajour Lang, Brandon Leos-Jurado, Amber Rose Moore, Celso Ismael Moreno-Valdez, Hannah Grace Mosher, Dayanara Sinay Rodriguez Ponce, Emily Kathryn Respess, Evelyn Robles, Margarita Proa Roque, Lily Kathrine Sawyer, Allison Paige Schafer, Margaret Ann Swindell, Jordan Alexander Bryant Watkins, Tayloe Elizabeth Williams, Maryanne Hernandez Zeferino, Sophia Madison Ziegler
Recognizing Student Leaders and Ambassadors
Serena Sullivan, vice president of institutional advancement, recognized this year’s Beaufort CCC Ambassadors, who are graduating or transferring:
Lilly Avery, Heidy Beltran Mendoza, Ben Brewer, Jakhi Bryant, Sahsha Gibbs, Tanith Huggins, Eddie King, Nick Peele, and Javen Styons.
Jahmar Bradby, coach for the Men of Success initiative, introduced the 2024–2025 Student Government Association officers:
- President: Jacob Council
- Vice President: Johanna Angeles-Vargas
- Parliamentarian: Jaquise Vaughn Holliday
- Treasurer: Sahsha Gibbs
- Public Relations/Historian: Sophia Ziegler
- Special Populations Officer: Deandre Daniels
Counselor Jamie Cohick recognized two students nominated for statewide honors:
- Ashley Lowe – Dallas Herring Achievement Award
- Trevon Barrett-Little – Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award
Both were honored at a separate event.
Commencement Scheduled for May 8
These outstanding students will participate in Beaufort CCC’s commencement ceremony on May 8, 2025. The college congratulates all graduates on their dedication, academic excellence, and commitment to success.