Featured Students – Honors Program

Kaitlyn Lange

Fall 2023 Featured Student

Katie lives in Goldsboro but used to live in Utah. She loves to paint mountain sunsets because they remind her of living there. Katie’s favorite high school sport is track, but her real passion is dancing. She is on the competitive dancing team for Tippy Toes Dance Studio in Princeton. Katie also loves to help others which is why she is a member of her high school’s Key Club, volunteers with Faith Formation at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, and wants to become a pediatric nurse. She joined the Honors Program to improve herself as a student and to find more ways to help her schools and community. Her favorite thing about WCC is the environment, which she says is open and kind. Katie loves Disney World and hopes to be a part of their college program in Florida or attend UNC Wilmington.

Gaby Rivera

Fall 2023 Featured Student

Gaby is from Humacao, Puerto Rico. She joined the Honors Program to become more involved with WCC and to better herself academically. Gaby is a member of WCC’s Multicultural Club and Scholars of Global Distinction Program. She was essential to the success of WCC’s first ever Geography Bee held last month. Gaby has volunteered to read to kids in Spanish at Spring Creek Elementary and to help out during the Taste of Wayne in Goldsboro. She works as a Spanish Interpreter at a Speech Therapy office in Smithfield. Gaby likes to try new food and spend time with family and friends, especially during Christmas. She would like to thank her mom and dad for always pushing her to do her best. Gaby’s favorite thing about WCC is that it “radiates family energy” because everyone is so kind. She says that “WCC is a family I will always remember.” Gaby plans to transfer to ECU to earn a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and then become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Gaby also loves dressing up her dog, Luna, in cute outfits and taking her out on walks.​

Asma Alrayashy

Spring 2023 Featured Student

Asma was born in Taiz, Yemen. She likes to write poetry and photograph sunsets. She also volunteers at Habitat for Humanity. Asma graduated from high school when she was fifteen and was accepted to Wayne Community College at sixteen. Now she is seventeen and will graduate with her Associate in Arts this fall. Then Asma plans to transfer to East Carolina University and become a speech language pathologist. One of the reasons Asma joined the Honors Program is because of the “unique opportunity that it offers for academic excellence” and that it “helps us open doors to the future”. Asma loves being a student at WCC because of the abundance of “new experiences and new opportunities” provided, the “awesome professors and staff” members, and the “endless list” of campus activities and events.

Katherine Morris

Spring 2023 Featured Student

Katherine lives in Goldsboro, NC and loves to bird watch. She was accepted into the Honors Program in January 2023. She is also in the Scholars of Global Distinction Program and WCC’s Multicultural Club. Katherine says “I am a testament that no matter what your age, or what awful curveballs life throws at you it is never too late to reach out and make your dreams of higher education possible!”  After finishing her Associate Degree, Katherine plans to attend a four year college and work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She wants to work in addiction counseling. Katherine says she enjoys being a student at WCC because “everyone is friendly and I feel a part of the campus community.”

Mayra Herran

Fall 2022 Featured Student

Mayra is originally from Harlingen, Texas. Since graduating high school ten years ago, Mayra has become a CMA, phlebotomist, and EKG technician. She is also a wife, a mother of two girls, and the owner of three dogs. Mayra decided to return to school in 2022 and will earn her Associate in Science in Spring 2023, in less than two years! She also plans to get both an Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Mayra joined the Honors Program to expand her leadership skills and meet other motivated students. She is a peer tutor in our Academic Skills Center, a Global Scholar, and a member of the Multicultural Club and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Mayra loves the community at WCC. She said WCC “cares about its students’ futures”. After 10 years of not being in school, Mayra was terrified to go back but happy she did. “Everything is possible if we really want it. I have had amazing teachers along the way who have helped me with my journey.” Everyone in the Academic Skills Center has been a “great support system” and “we have created a bond that I will forever cherish.”​

Gamil AL-Gharazi

Fall 2022 Featured Student

Gamil was born in Sanaa, Yemen but became a resident of Goldsboro in 2017. He is an active member of our community and this year alone has volunteered for UNC Health Care, a local Back to School Bash, WCC’s Science Night, and more. Gamil is the secretary of the WCC Student Government Association, a member of WCC’s Multicultural Club, a Scholar of Global Distinction, and a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member. He joined the Honors Program to challenge himself, gain more academic and leadership experience, and have more community service opportunities.

After earning his Associate in Science, Gamil plans to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill where he will continue his studies in biology and apply to medical school. He hopes to become a cardiologist. Gamil enjoys playing soccer, swimming, running, climbing, and traveling. He also likes to read and listen to classical music. Gamil’s favorite thing about WCC is the “very nice and supportive instructors” and “very kind and helpful staff.”

Michaela Radford

Spring 2022 Featured Student

Michaela is from Princeton, NC. She is a 2020 graduate from Princeton High School where she was a three sport scholar athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was also involved in two leadership clubs: FFA (Future Farmers of America) club and Beta club.

Michaela is now working on her Associate in Arts at WCC, and she joined the Honors Program because she loves to challenge herself. The program has helped her grow and step out of her comfort zone. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

Michaela works at the WCC Bookstore during the semester, and over the summers she is a volunteer tutor for children in grades K-6. After Michaela earns her AA degree in May 2022, she is transferring to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.

In her free time, Michaela loves to work out, cook, and bake cookies.

Nicole Page

Spring 2022 Featured Student

Nicole is from Goldsboro and dually enrolled at Wayne School of Engineering and Wayne Community College.

At WSE, she is a Key Club officer, involved with the school newspaper, and on the swim and tennis teams. Nicole is a Student Ambassador at WCC. She was also one of a select few chosen to present at the NC Honors Association Conference in 2021. Nicole joined the Honors Program to dive deeper into the subject matters of her classes and to further prepare herself for transferring to a four year university. Nicole plans to major in biology and pursue a career in genetic testing and counseling.

Her favorite thing about WCC is the educators because she always feels supported by them. Nicole also has two pet cats and loves to watch horror movies.

Guillermo Estrada

Fall 2021 Featured Student

He is from Goldsboro and is the North Carolina 4-H State Council President. As president, Guillermo leads 5 districts and 100 counties in Making the Best, Better. He was also the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair’s Assistant Communications Director and just began working at the YMCA in October.

Guillermo is a dual enrolled student at Wayne School of Engineering and Wayne Community College. He joined the Honors Program for the opportunity to take a wide array of rigorous classes. After graduating, he plans to go to NCSU, major in Communications, and continue working in politics.

In his free time, Guillermo enjoys watching Madam Secretary, listening to Taylor Swift, and dancing in a Mexican Folkloric Dance Group.

Dantzler Bonner

Fall 2021 Featured Student

Dantzler has 4 cats, plays the ukulele, and is from Farmville, NC.

She participates in the Goldsboro Cougar volleyball and swimming programs and runs her own business in which she designs logos and makes artwork. She also volunteers with Backpack Pals to provide food for children experiencing food insecurity.

Dantzler’s favorite thing about WCC is all of the wonderful educators and opportunities she’s been able to experience. WCC has taken her out of her comfort zone, but this has allowed her to grow. By joining the Honors Program, Dantzler hopes to continue growing and take her education to the next level. After graduating from WCC, she plans to transfer to a 4-year college and study engineering.

Janae Artis-Bass

Spring 2021 Featured Student

Janae is from right here in Goldsboro, NC! She is dually enrolled in Wayne Community College and Wayne Early Middle College High School.

Janae has volunteered at Herman Park running the Concessions Stand and the Kiwanis Miniature Train. She has also volunteered at the Taste of Wayne which benefits the United Way of Wayne County. She joined the Honors Program to become even more involved in our community.

Janae is an artist who sings, plays the guitar, and loves to write poetry and songs. After finishing her Associate’s Degree, she plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Entrepreneurship in New York!

Katie Wagner

Spring 2021 Featured Student

Katie was born in China but now resides right here in Goldsboro. In addition to taking classes at Wayne Community College, she is actively involved at her high school, Wayne School of Engineering.

She is a member of the Key Club and Technology Student Association. Katie also participates in National History Day projects, Battle of the Books, swimming, cross country, and soccer. She loves to read, bake, and watch street food videos.

Once Katie finishes her Associates in Science, she plans to transfer to a four-year university and study Foreign Languages and International Relations. She believes it is “important to make the effort to connect with new cultures through the language rather than travel as an English speaker and expect locals to meet your needs.”

Katie also received a scholarship from the 2020 Charles T. Gibson Public Health Essay Contest!

Alexis Garner

Spring 2021 Featured Student

Alexis is originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is an animal lover who works as a dog sitter and plans to become a veterinarian. She also has a dog of her own named Cash.

Alexis enjoys drawing, playing soccer, and working at Play Date Child Care in Goldsboro. She also regularly volunteers at her local soup kitchen.

Alexis is dually enrolled at Wayne Community College and Wayne Early Middle College High School through the Career and College Promise Program. She joined the Honors Program to challenge herself and to improve her leadership skills.

Alexis is working towards both an Associates in Arts and an Associates in Science. After graduating, she plans to attend NC State University, earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, and then pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Isaac Carreno

Fall 2020 Featured Student

Isaac is from Goldsboro, NC and is a first generation bilingual Mexican-American. He is 16 years old and dually enrolled in WCC and Wayne School of Engineering.

Isaac was accepted into the North Carolina Senate Page Program, has been class president of his grade for four years in a row, and volunteers at a local soup kitchen.

After getting his Associate in Arts, he plans to get a Bachelor’s degree in English and then attend UNC School of Law to get his Juris Doctor degree. He hopes to become an attorney and focus on bringing legal assistance to the often overlooked and underprivileged Latino community.

Isaac says “I am passionate about what I believe in and I hope to advocate for what is right and bring change to my community.”

He also has two chihuahuas and likes to play video games in his spare time.

Arerel Belmer

Fall 2020 Featured Student

Arerel is from Mount Olive, NC where she works full-time at Truist Bank. She loves to spend time with her family and has four kids who make her a proud cheer mom, football mom, and baseball mom.

Arerel applied to the Honors Program to motivate her children to follow in her footsteps as a leader, and they were all so happy when she was accepted!

After graduating from WCC in the spring, Arerel plans to transfer to East Carolina University.

Her favorite quote (by Audrey Hepburn) encourages her to be a role model: “I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.”

Chevelle Rinehart

Fall 2020 Featured Student

Chevelle is from right here in Goldsboro, NC and is named after a car! She enjoys volunteering at Herman Park, where she has operated the miniature train and run the concessions stand. Chevelle also enjoys helping students in the WCC Writing Center.

This semester, her favorite classes are Introduction to Ethics with Mr. Crowder and Honors General Biology I with Mr. Gray.

After graduating from WCC, Chevelle plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then she hopes to go to dental school and become a dentist.

Viviana Ponce

Fall 2020 Featured Student

Viviana is part of an Hispanic family from Goldsboro, NC. Her brother is in the air force and currently living in Japan, while her sister is a clinical nursing instructor here at Wayne Community College.

Like her siblings, Viviana does not shy away from a challenge. This is why she joined the WCC Honors Program and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

She volunteers at Mount Olive Animal Hospital, plans to go to NC State for a Bachelor degree in Animal Science, and then wants to attend graduate school for veterinary medicine.

In her free time, Viviana likes to play basketball with her siblings, read books, and hang out with her feisty chihuahua.

Gabriel Luna-Cervantes

Spring 2020 Featured Student

Gabriel is from right here in Goldsboro. He joined the Honors Program to challenge himself, and his hard work has paid off.

Gabriel has completed 12 hours of honors courses to finish the Honors Program. He will be receiving his Honors Certificate and an Honors Graduation Medallion during this year’s Student Recognition Ceremony.

Gabriel still has the time to regularly volunteer at his church and at the Taste of Wayne County. Once he graduates he plans to attend NC State or UNC to pursue his Bachelor Degree.

Gabriel has a pet cat and likes spicy food!

JingXin Chen

Spring 2020 Featured Student

Jing is from Fujian, China. She joined the WCC Honors Program to challenge herself, and this semester she is taking HUM 230: Leadership Development for Honors Students.

Jing enjoys giving back to our community by being a regular volunteer at Kitty Askins Hospice Center here in Goldsboro. She has also volunteered at the Wayne County Library and the InJoy Thrift Store.

When Jing is not working hard in preparation for transferring to UNC-Chapel Hill, she loves playing the piano.

Her favorite thing about WCC is how nice all our faculty and staff are.

Victoria Hines

Spring 2020 Featured Student

Victoria is from Durham, NC. She joined the Honors Program to meet other leaders, like herself, and take challenging classes.

She is not only a member of the WCC Honors Program but also a member of the National Honors Society. She plans to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill and become a pediatrician.

As seen in the photo, Victoria and her family and friends celebrated the completion of her Business Administration degree. She completed this degree last fall just for fun!

Victoria still finds the time to be a very active leader for her church. She also enjoys baking and decorating baked goods.