The winner of Outstanding Senior Man and Woman will be announced next week, according to Director of Employee Relations John Quint. Nominations were announced in early February.
“It’s a public acknowledgement of the person who’s a great representation of the senior class,” Quint said.
The male nominations are Aaron Andrews, Razi Lane, Dustin Pletan, and Jackson Ventrella, and the female nominations include Peyton Bowen, Madison Frame, Breana Noble, and Maria Theisen.
“When I found out I was nominated for Outstanding Senior Woman, I was both honored and surprised,” Bowen said in an email. “I remember looking up to the women who have been nominated in previous years as role models, so in that sense it’s quite an honor that my classmates think I’ve filled a similar role.”
Although there are eight nominations, only one man and one woman are chosen. These two seniors are then invited to speak to the graduating class at the commencement dinner and during Parents Weekend.
“Every single one of these are guys I admire greatly,” Senior Class President Lane said. “It is just an honor to be considered with them.”
The senior class nominates its candidates, but the final choice is made by faculty. Having this dual process ensures the nominee is known by both faculty and students.
“It’s more organic than faculty and staff telling everybody who’s outstanding,” Quint said.
The final choice will be announced by a campus-wide email on March 5, according to Quint.
