CCSN honors its top students

Tuesday, May 9, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

The Community College of Southern Nevada honored 16 outstanding students Thursday for the 1999-2000 academic year.

The award is an annual event that honors one student in each academic department. Students were nominated by faculty. Fourteen will graduate from the college May 21.

JoAnn Spair, a Henderson resident who earned top awards for English and math, plans to go to UNLV to become a college professor; Sara Habashi, a Las Vegas resident originally from Iran who received top honors in biological sciences, was accepted into UNLV's school of dentistry; Elena Solodornikova of Russia, who received honors for international languages and English as a second language, wants to go into cosmetology; and David Sutanto of Indonesia, honored in applied technologies and electronics engineering, plans to become a networking systems engineer.

Kandace Aranda, who was last year's Regent Scholarship winner, was also named outstanding student of Phi Theta Kappa. She holds a CCSN degree in early childhood development and created the "Read Aloud to Children" program.

Toni Allen was the top student in the computing and technologies program and is transferring to a four-year university.

Anthony Bandiero, who has a degree in criminal justice, will attend Harvard University this fall. Bandiero represents CCSN's business, industry and public safety program and intends to pursue a career in public service and politics.

Denise Denning received honors for outstanding student in business management and in 1992 was named best in health information technology. Tracy Geiges, a future financial planner, topped the philosophical and regional studies department, and plans to transfer to UNLV.

Bobbi Hoven received best in human behavior program studies and is a Special Olympics volunteer who coordinates the Olympics' national and local bowling competition.

Gary McMillen, a future research scientist who plans to transfer to UNLV, received honors as the top student in physical sciences. Michael Amick, an Air Force technical sergeant and former member of the Thunderbirds crew, received honors as the top resorts and gaming program student. Amick holds degrees in aeronautics and restaurant management and a certificate in food and beverage operations.

Sharon Brooks, who is working to become a computer network administrator, received honors as CCSN's top fine arts student and will graduate with an associate of arts degree. Deborah Hamilton, who hopes to be a tax attorney, was tops in the accounting, finance and office administration program and will transfer to UNLV to work on her bachelor's degree in dual majors of accounting and finance.

Susan LeGrand received honors for top dental hygiene student and will soon begin her dental career. Shannon Schilling, who is working on a computer science degree, was the top liberal arts student and was recently elected student body president.