Seward County Community College
The Seward County Community College executive team is proud to announce the first two rounds of Saints Stars winners as nominated by fellow faculty, staff and students across campus.
The Saints Star award is intended to highlight the good deeds that often go unnoticed — the extra effort someone puts into a routine job, everyday demonstrations of kindness and care, and a desire to make the day a little brighter for someone else.
“We wanted to introduce this award program as a way to encourage all our employees that their hard work and extra effort does not go unnoticed,” said SCCC’s Vice President of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Dr. Amber Randles. “The hope is that as we go about our everyday duties, we start to notice the good around us, whether it’s someone going out of their way to do a little more, or someone who is unfailingly kind and positive.”
President Brad Bennett said he hopes the positive outlook will overflow to students in their peer-to-peer relationships.
“We know it’s not easy to be a young adult, and the students on our campus are juggling so many things,” he said. “Overall, as an institution, it’s part of our duty of care to model to our students how to maintain a healthy mindset, and to do a little better for themselves and their friends and classmates every day.”
All Saints Stars nominees receive a copy of the nominator’s compliments and a $5 gift card to local coffee shop, The Cozy Corner. One nominee from each of category receives a gift package.
Saints Stars for October: Trey Burnett, Teresa Wehmeier, Oscar Silva, Maria Magdalena Lopez, Tracy Murray, Brandee Good, and Sherelle Lee; Faculty: Bonnie Merrihew, Lizette Avalos, Bree Downs, Jason Pete, Ilse Cambron; and Students: Aly Chanez, Yarell Rojo, and Josselin Carrillo.
Gift package winners are listed below:
Jason Pete – English Instructor
His nominator wrote, “He is a great English instructor. He makes us laugh and genuinely cares about us. I’ve seen Mr. Pete help my classmates who struggle with the language, so they can get comfortable with English. I never thought I would enjoy writing until now. He’s real, we feel like we’re learning from someone who has struggles just like us.”
Oscar Silva – Admissions Recruiter
His nominator wrote, “Oscar goes above and beyond his job requirements. He is willing to help anyone, especially students. He brings his impeccable taste and vision to events, the office space, and college materials, which has upleveled how SCCC looks to the outside world. His willingness to pitch in makes event a big project feel possible.”
Aly Chanez – Respiratory Care
Her nominator wrote, “Aly goes above and beyond to help her fellow students. She puts in extra work outside of class and clinicals. She continuously stops by the lab on days off to refine her clinical skills and competence and help her classmates with tutoring. She is an excellent example of resilience and kindness, and very deserve.”
Saints Stars for November: Staff Lidice Rodriguez, Dora Hernandez, Dania Gonzalez, Sephanie Heger, Casandra Norin, Liz Hill, and Amy Bridenstine; Faculty: Alex Groves, Amber (Jones) Randles, and Sheryl Edwards; and Students: Angel Aguilar De La Torre, Rogelio Esquivel, Lexi Wright, and Owen Downs-Gilmore.
Gift package winners are listed below.
Dondie Rodgers – Nursing Instructor
Her nominator wrote, “Dondie has gone above and beyond to support nursing students, including organizing evening review sessions to help improve their test performance. Her dedication, extra effort, and commitment to student success make her highly deserving of this award.”
Brandee Good – Saints Bookstore
Her nominator wrote, “Brandee took on the new Saints Winter Wonderland event and led her committee with excellence. Their creativity, dedication, and hard work resulted in a successful event for the community. There are a lot of exciting opportunities to grow and expand the event for next year. Kudos!”
Angel Espinoza – Sophomore
His nominator wrote, “Angel is an incredible student. He has worked so hard as a music major. Not only has he learned how to read an entirely different language in Braille, he also learned a brand-new instrument. Beyond music, he is considering quiz bowl and e-sports and is an active member in pep band.”
Saints Stars will continue in January 2026.
