Over 200 Bethel students recognized during awards weekend

From Friday's Bubbert's Awards to Saturday's Threshpys to Sunday's Scholars Recognition Ceremony, there was plenty of applause to go around.

To mark the final weekend on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year for Bethel students, the school hosted three awards events to recognize excellence in separate fields.

On Friday night in Krehbiel Auditorium, the annual Student Activities Council (SAC) Bubbert’s Awards took place, with students submitting their best mini-movie production to be voted on by their peers in attendance and a panel of judges comprised of Bethel faculty and staff members. Students Clifford Byrd II, Denzel Dixon, and Aubry Grame served as the hosts.

The final results were as follows:

• Judges — 3rd place: Jordan Twenter

• Judges — 2nd place: Peter Buller and Ben Rudeen

• Judges — 1st place: Andrew Graber

• People’s Choice: Andrew Graber

Graber’s “Threshy: an Untold Story” was named the winner among the student voters and panel of judges. “Bubbert’s is just fun,” the Divide, Colo. native said. “Though I’ve never actually attended the event due to either conference track or being out of town, the process of creating a video with friends in hopes of winning is thrilling.

“I was surprising my friend for his graduation the day of Bubbert’s, and all of a sudden my phone blew up with texts saying our group’s video won. … Thanks to Eli [Regier] for the idea of Threshy’s story … and to the rest of the participants that helped bring the idea to life.”

Then, on Saturday night at the Meridian Center in Newton, Bethel student-athletes attended and were celebrated at this year’s edition of the Threshpys. Finalists for 13 of the 19 awards were selected by a poll sent to all students via email with the recipients selected by Bethel Athletics.

The other six award recipients were selected without student input, which has been denoted in the list below with an asterisk. The event featured Josh Booth and Carly Stavola as guest hosts. The results were as follows:

• Best Comeback: Milan Bucek, men’s tennis vs. William Woods

• Best Game: Football vs. Southwestern

• Female Breakthrough Athlete: Cynae Wiley, softball

• Male Breakthrough Athlete: Brenden Sanders, football

• Female Ind. Performance: Daniela Herrera, women’s tennis at ITA Regionals

• Male Ind. Performance: Trey Palmer, men’s track and field at ITF Nationals

• Female Newcomer: Myiah Logue, women’s track and field

• Male Newcomer: Trevon Madison, football

• Female Freshman: Caryn Yoder, women’s basketball

• Male Freshman: Carmelo Yakubu, men’s basketball

• Threshpy Female Athlete: Daniela Herrera, women’s tennis

• Threshpy Male Athlete: Clifford Byrd II, men’s basketball

• Most Improved Team: Volleyball

• Play of the Year: Dakota Piovesan, softball (decided via Twitter poll)

• *George Rogers Outstanding Athlete: Claire Hedlund, women’s soccer

• *Douglas A. Penner Champion of Character: Josie Stupey, women’s basketball; Kayden Christiansen, football

• *Gerry Sieber Service: Brooke Powers; Chris Ibach

• *Loren Reusser Spirit: Jenna Mahoney; Luke Schmidt; Jordan Twenter; Kaitlyn Shima

• *Unsung Hero: Jared Mocaby

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, Bethel students, faculty, and staff gathered once again in Krehbiel Auditorium for the Scholars Recognition Ceremony. 21 accomplishments were read aloud and attendees were invited to applaud those who exhibited academic excellence this academic year.

The first section of awards included Teachers of Promise, URICA, Sigma Theta Tau Inductees, Iota Chi Excellence in Nursing Scholarship, J. Lloyd Spaulding Award for Economics and Business, Ray and Betty Funk Prize for Entrepreneurship, Global Ministries Scholarship, the NPCMA’s Golden Leaf Awards, and Dorothy Wedel Kaufman Honor Scholarship in English.

The following section included KCAC/NAIA Scholar Athletes, C. Henry Smith Oratorical Contest, Outstanding Senior in Chemistry, Junior in Chemistry, Biochemistry Student, Organic Chemistry Student, Physics Student, Service in the Visual Arts and Design Department, and Theater Student.

The final section consisted of the Thresher Awards. The recipients of these were seniors Logan DeMond, Julianna Schrag, and Allison Weaver, who displayed “outstanding and sustained contribution in performance areas.”

Altogether, over 200 Bethel students received applause over the course of three days, whether it was for an individual accolade or as part of a group or team. It’s important to the institution that students know their work is visible.

“Award ceremonies mean different things to different people,” Dr. Christine Crouse-Dick, chair of the Bethel communication arts department, said. “I keep thinking about what Dr. [Bob] Milliman said in his opening [of the Scholars Recognition Ceremony] — that not one of us who have achieved anything noteworthy have done so alone.

“These awards represent work, growth, and critical thinking that happened in collaboration with friends, family, professors, and mentors.”