NTC Honors Student Achievements at Annual Award Ceremony

April 18, 2025

The annual NTC Student Achievement Award Ceremony was held April 16, 2025, where numerous students were honored in front of their families, faculty, staff and friends for their academic accomplishments.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Director of Enrollment and Student Success Melissa Heglund, Executive Vice President Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao and Academic Dean Nicholle Bieberdorf.

“This is why we do what we do – it’s all about the students,” Heglund said. “You’re the reason our work matters. You make every day meaningful and the incredible things you accomplish remind us why we’re so proud to be a part of this community. Today, we are shining a light on the students who inspire us, support one another and truly embody the spirit of Northwest Technical College.”

The program opened with the Student Life Awards, recognizing individuals nominated by administration, faculty, staff and students for their character, dedication and contributions to NTC and the wider community.

Student Life Award Recipients

Perseverance Award: Steve Shaaf

Steve Shaaf
From Left to Right: Nicholle Bieberdorf, Steve Shaaf and Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao

Student Leadership Award: Joshua Olorunyemi

Joshua Olorunyemi
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Joshua Olorunyemi and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Extraordinary Kindness Award: Lauren Barsness

Lauren Barsness
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Lauren Barsness and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Community Engagement Award: Linda Lussier

Linda Lussier
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Linda Lussier and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Dedicated & Devoted Award: Jessica Knol

Jessica Knoll
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Jessica Knoll and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Demonstrated Diversity Award: Suneeta Shrestha

*Attended Virtually*

Outstanding Online Learner Award: Anna Chastek

Anna Chastek
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Anna Chastek and Nicholle Bieberdorf

NTC Spirit Award: Ashley Gibson

Ashley Gibson
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Ashley Gibson and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Student Worker of the Year Award: Eve Hansen

Eve Hansen
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Eve Hansen and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Non-Traditional Student Award: Damacline Oganga

*Attended Virtually*

Next, the Curricular Awards were presented, including the Outstanding Student Awards, which honor students for exceptional performance in their programs and academics and the Grit Awards, which recognize those who showed courage, determination and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Curricular Award Recipients

Accounting

Outstanding Student Award: Taylor Grimsley

*Attended Virtually*

Automotive Service Technology

Outstanding Student Award: Everett Weidemann

*Attended Virtually*

Grit Award: Benjamin Lyon

*Attended Virtually*

Community Health Worker

Outstanding Student Award: Tasha Martell

Tasha Martell
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Tasha Martell and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Carmen Strong

Carmen Strong
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Carmen Strong and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Construction Electricity

Outstanding Student Award: Carson Donaghue

Jaret Swedberg
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Carson Donaghue, Judson Shogren and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Jaret Swedberg

Carson Donaghue
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmanin Kouanchao, Grant Foss, Jaret Swedberg and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Dental Assisting

Outstanding Student Award: Adrienne LaFerriere

Adrienne LaFerriere
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Siau Yean Montgomery, Terri Bannor, Adrienne LaFerriere and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Sage Kaiser

Sage Kaiser
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Siau Yean Montgomery, Terri Bannor, Sage Kaiser and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Early Childhood Education

Outstanding Student Award: Evamae Ekhoff

*Attended Virtually*

Grit Award: Brooklyn Ostenaa

Brooklyn Ostenaa
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Brooklyn Ostenaa and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Medical Coding

Outstanding Student Award: Bryne Whitcher

*Attended Virtually*

Grit Award: Zakie Arabaci

*Attended Virtually*

Plumbing Technology

Outstanding Student Award: Brett Dowell

Brett Dowell
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Brett Dowell and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Martin Ngigi

*Attended Virtually*

Practical Nursing

Outstanding Student Award: Shawn Hilde Ste.Marie

Shawn Hilde Ste.Marie
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Chelsey Erickson, Shawn Hilde Ste.Marie, Loretta Vobr and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Kelli Gray

Kelli Gray
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Chelsey Erickson, Kelli Gray, Loretta Vobr and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Nursing Traditional

Outstanding Student Award: Ryan Portner

*Attended Virtually*

Grit Award: Sophia Czech

Sophia Czech
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro, Sophia Czech, Shari Hahn and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Nursing Step-In

Outstanding Student Award: Janessa Freiheit

Janessa Freiheit
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro, Janessa Freiheit, Shari Hahn and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Tia McMonigal

Tia McMonigal
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Erin Tatro, Tia McMonigal, Shari Hahn and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Cosmetology

Outstanding Student Award: Ashley Bushie

Ashley Bushie
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Brown, Ashley Bushie, Lori Reed and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Deanna Johnson

Deanna Johnson
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Brown, Deanna Johnson, Lori Reed and Nicholle Bieberforf

Gerontology and Aging Care

Outstanding Student Award: Emily Thompson

Emily Thompson
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Emily Thompson and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Kristy Iceman

Kristy Iceman
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, Wendy Potratz, Kristy Iceman and Nicholle Bieberdorf

H.A.R.T.

Outstanding Student Award: Max Johnson

Max Johnson
From Left to Right: Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, John Kenny, Max Johnson and Nicholle Bieberdorf

Grit Award: Nicole Nelson

*Attended Virtually*

Northwest Technical College will honor its graduates during an in-person commencement ceremony at 4 p.m. May 9, 2025, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. No tickets are required for students or their guests. The ceremony will last about an hour and will be livestreamed