Aiken Technical College student Victoria Robins received the Buck Grant Award, the school's highest academic honor, at the annual Awards Night Ceremony on Thursday.
Joel Wightman received the Student Service Award.
Robins and Wightman were among dozens of students, ATC faculty and staff recognized for their leadership, scholarship and academic achievement.
The Buck Grant Award honors the late George H. "Buck" Grant, who was the chairman of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation during the formation of ATC. To qualify for the award, a graduating student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have contributed to the college through extracurricular activities and possess the potential to enhance the school's image in the future.
Robins' own image is on a billboard promoting ATC on the Jefferson Davis Highway heading from Aiken to the college. She and other student leaders will be featured in ATC's online catalog, which will launch in May.
"I'm just ecstatic and happy to have this opportunity," said Robins, who also was recognized as a Campus Ambassador. "I've had a wonderful experience at Aiken Technical College."
Robins held several leadership positions in ATC's Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which recognizes and encourages scholarship among students at two-year colleges. A former resident of Miami, Florida, who now lives in North Augusta, Robins will graduate May 5 with an associate of arts degree. She plans to transfer to USC Aiken and pursue a degree in fine arts with a concentration in photography.
The Student Service Award is presented to a graduating student who has made outstanding contributions to ATC, the student body and the community.
"Receiving this award is a recognition of my work beyond just my required duties, but things like staying late until the job is done and representing my college as a student and student veteran," said Wightman, who also was recognized as a Campus Ambassador. "I'm driven to go beyond because I know I make a difference just as the faculty and staff made a difference in my two-year journey at ATC."
A veteran of the Air Force, Wightman will graduate May 5 from the associate in applied science general technology program with an emphasis in welding. At ATC, he also has been a leader in the Student Veterans Association and the Student Leadership Council.
Donneshia Bell was recognized as a Campus Ambassador and also received the Katie Scott Memorial Scholarship. As an ambassador, she works with Campus Connections, a series of activities held every other week to get students involved with the college, and gives tours to prospective students.
"I'm just really happy for this award I received tonight, and I'm so blessed and thankful for the college to give me this award," said Bell, whose mother and sister also are ATC graduates.
Bell, who is studying early childhood education, expects to graduate next year and plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree leading to a career as a middle-level mathematics teacher.
To end the program, ATC President Dr. Susan Winsor commended the students for their hard work and dedication.
"They do not settle for the ordinary," she said. "They only will settle for the extraordinary."
A native of Aiken, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter.
For more pictures from ATC's Awards Night Ceremony, go to galleries at aikenstandard.com.