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Northeast student leader earns national recognition

Northeast student leader earns national recognition

ORLANDO, Fla – A student leader at Northeast Community College has earned national recognition from her peers.

Victoria Gaona, secretary of the Northeast Student Activities Council (SAC) was named National Student Programmer of the Year at the 2020 National Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) Conference in Orlando, Fla., in early March.

Gaona, Gibbon, qualified for nationals after she was named Midwest Student Programmer of the Year at APCA’s fall conference in Chicago. She was one of five students leaders from across the country nominated for the award.

“Vicky exudes what it is to be a leader at Northeast,” said Carissa Kollath, director of student activities at the College. “She is involved in multiple clubs, knows the names of almost every student on campus and something about them, and she brings her whole heart to everything she does. I know I can count on Vicky to show up and bring the energy to all of our events and meetings. We are fortunate to have her on our team, and I am so proud to see her recognized on the national level for engaging our students, connecting with them, and being a strong leader.”     

Members of SAC and their advisors work to ensure that Northeast students are kept busy outside the classroom while on campus through a host of events - whether it is at an athletic contest, bringing in a musician or comedian, through public service projects or spending the night watching a movie.

This is the second consecutive year a Northeast student has won the award. Tia Smith, Neligh, was named National Student Programmer of the Year at the 2019 APCA Conference. In addition, Ganoa’s award marks the fifth consecutive year that Northeast Community College has earned national recognition at the conference. The event drew representatives from 95 four-year colleges, universities and community colleges from across the country.  

Also at this year’s conference, Northeast SAC President Josh Escamilla, David City, and Student Leadership Association President Andrew Smith, North Platte, competed in the on-site SLICE E-Sports tournament. They placed 3rd in the 2 v 2 Smash Brothers tournament. Escamilla also competed in the seeded Smash Brothers Ultimate based on placement in regional competitions. 

In addition, the Northeast SAC team took 2nd place in the t-shirt competition for its “Living My Best Life @ Northeast Community College” tank top. 

Also attending the conference was Northeast SAC member Hannah Stahl, Potter.

The mission of the APCA is to promote campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment and community service initiatives through all levels of colleges and universities across the country. The association is divided into five regions across the country and includes both two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

 

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Victoria Ganoa, Gibbon, secretary of the Student Activities Council at Northeast Community College, is presented with the National Student Programmer of the Year Award by Eric Lambert, executive director of the Association of the Promotion of Student Activities (APCA) at the organization’s national conference in Orlando, Fla., in early March. This is the second consecutive year a Northeast student has earned the honor.