Hawks commemorate year at 41st Annual Student Leadership Banquet
The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) Annual Student Leadership Banquet is a formal evening designed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding leaders, student organizations and student programs. This year the banquet was held at the South Shore Harbor Resort on April 19.
All Hawks in attendance put on their best clothes and were treated to a cocktail hour followed by a three-course meal before the award ceremony actually began. The awards were facilitated by representatives from the Student Life Office, Office of Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Career Services.
The audience laughed at jokes and flubs made by the various presenters throughout the night. Student leaders were applauded and recognized for various outstanding achievements, and cheers rang through the banquet hall as the winners were revealed for some of the more anticipated awards.
After the awards concluded and the ceremony was coming to an end, Patrick Cardenas, interim director of the office of student involvement and leadership, invited President Ira K. Blake up to the podium to give some closing remarks.
Historically, the president usually gives a speech recognizing the outgoing Student Body President and their achievements throughout their time at UHCL. As well as being a live reporter for The Signal, I also happen to be the outgoing president of the Student Government Association.
Dr. Blake invited me to the front of the hall and gave me a really nice speech chronicling my years at UHCL and the different programs, organizations, and initiatives that I had been a part of.
This was really special to me because Dr. Blake has become a sort of a mentor to me, so hearing her say she was proud of me and all of the accomplishments that I’ve had at UHCL, was pretty dope. This speech also helped put into perspective just how close I was to walking across the stage at graduation to receive my degree.
This was my last year, last semester, and last banquet at UHCL ever.
As expected, the 41st Annual Student Leadership Banquet did not disappoint. Once the student leadership slideshow had concluded and the official ceremony was finished, the photo booth and dance floor were flooded, and everyone continued to have a great night. Getting recognized by UHCL’s senior administration and my peers was definitely a moment I won’t forget any time soon.
Check out the list below to see the winners of this year’s awards:
Servant Leader Scholar Bronze Award: Robin Paul & Tiffany Wade
SLSP Silver Award: Shamili Laksmanan & Veneeth Mathew
SLSP Gold Award: Liliana Marin
SLSP Platinum Award: Brenda Arteaga, Gretchen Hardy, & Gavriel Pipins
Sue Fellman Servant Leadership Scholarship: Tiffany Wade
Lehman Family Leadership Scholarship Recipients: Sheridan Allison, Damon Gonzalez, Megan Keaster, Noe Sanchez, & Ximena Flandes
Professional Development Event of the Year: Psi Chi, Psychology Club, Astronomy, & Physics Club for Graduate School Expo
Community Service Event of the Year: Green Hawks for Tillin’ Tuesday
Social Awareness Event of the Year: Empower: Women in Leadership for HerStory Slam
Cultural Event of the Year: Indian Students Association for Diwali 2018
Teamwork in Leadership Award: Green Hawks & EnSci
Most Improved Organization: Volleyball Club
Best New Organization: Hawk Spirit & Traditions Council
Organization of the Year: Business Oriented Students Society
Advisor of the Year: Dr. Christine Walther
Emerging Leaders of the Year: Sheridan Allison, Damon Gonzalez, Megan Keaster, Sonia Valdovinos
SGA Representative of the Year: Kaira Jackson for Omicron Delta Kappa
SGA Committee Rep of the Year: Darius Randle for the Planning & Budgeting
CAB Volunteer of the Year: Anupama Balla
CAB Members of the Year: Stephanie Perez & Alex Paul
CAB Event of the Year: CAB Casino Night
CAB Committee Chair of the Year: Jonathan Arizmendez
Distinguished Leader of the Year: Seleana Moore
Peer’s Choice Organization of the Year: Business Oriented Students Society
Peer’s Choice Student Leader of the Year: Katelynn Rivardo
