Academic Awards Celebrated at Centenary

In the final weeks of the semester, academic departments across campus celebrated and honored outstanding students.

Here at The Cyclone Chronicle, seven members of our Editorial Board received Outstanding Achievement awards at the School of Business, Media and Writing (BMW) Awards Ceremony held in the Seay Parlors on Wednesday, April 22.

The online student newspaper—The Cyclone Chronicle—is celebrating three years of publication, giving over 55 student-journalists an opportunity to develop their craft, and publishing over 545 articles on the campus community during that time.

For several, it is their last hurrah at Centenary before graduation. We caught up with them to hear what they had to say.

"I am beyond honored to have received these awards. Over the last two years, I found where I belonged with the newspaper, and I've worked very hard to better myself as a writer. It was incredibly special receiving the BMW awards alongside our incredible editorial staff,” said senior Alexis d’Ambly, editor-in-chief. “Additionally, being named First Gen Valedictorian has been one of my biggest accomplishments to date, because I was nowhere near capable of maintaining a 4.0 GPA in high school. However, I'm thrilled to have received an award that honors how hard I've worked during the last four years and how much I value my academics.”

d’Ambly served on The Cyclone Chronicle for three semesters and has written more than 40 stories. She was honored with the Outstanding Achievement for The Cyclone Chronicle, Certificate of Merit for The Cyclone Chronicle, Outstanding Achievement in Writing. d’Ambly also received the First Generation Valedictorian Award at the Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 29. 

Senior Tanner Sullivan, executive managing editor, has also served on the newspaper for three semesters and has contributed a whopping 70+ stories, mostly in Arts & Entertainment.

“It was an absolute honor being recognized at this year's BMW awards. I have earned awards from the ceremony in the past, usually highlighting my commitments to WNTI and/or the communication department, but this was the first time I received an additional recognition in writing,” said Sullivan. “Regardless of what I'm being highlighted for, this ceremony always serves as a great reminder of how much incredible work I've been able to accomplish throughout the academic year. I feel proud of myself for not just being able to work so hard and earn these awards, but for being able to share the spotlight with my fellow editors. It's a great honor that I will forever cherish.”

Rounding out the senior editors is Carmella Vitel, managing editor and social media manager, who in only one year, has contributed 14 stories.

“Prior to my time with The Cyclone Chronicle, I had only ever written for myself, working on my one-day novel. This was the first time my work has ever been published for others to see. To be recognized and receive an award alongside my amazing peers for meaningful writing, I am beyond happy and honored,” said Vitel.

Vitel also received The Catapano Family Service Award for compassion, leadership and a commitment to community service at the University's Annual Awards Ceremony on April 29,

Our rising editor-in-chief, sophomore Sami Swayze, has served as managing editor and social media manager during her three semesters on The Cyclone Chronicle. During that time, she wrote 31 deep-dive stories.

“I was honored to not only receive a certificate of merit, but to be able to share such a special moment with our editorial staff,” said Swayze. “We as The Cyclone Chronicle were given the recognition we deserve for all our hard work, and I am so proud of everyone!”

Another sophomore, Elizabeth May, has also served as managing editor for three semesters, specializing in video game reviews and curating the Chronicle Critters section of the newspaper.

"It was my first time at a Centenary award ceremony, and it was an honor to go. I never thought I'd find a reason to put so much effort into college, and The Cyclone Chronicle has brought that out of me. I'm so grateful to be recognized for that effort,” said May, who has written an impressive 65+ stories for the newspaper.

Carlee Nigro, junior managing editor, has also served on the newspaper for three semesters, and writes mostly features and news.

"I am so grateful to receive this award," said Nigro. "I have always doubted my writing skills compared to others, but when I got promoted to managing editor and received an award, it made me realize that I do have a real skill."

Rounding out editorial board members honored for outstanding achievement at the BMW awards ceremony are:

Nick Storms, junior staff writer specializing in sports; and Leo Watson, senior staff writer and cartoonist who created our new logo of the Cyclone which appears on our promotional flyers.

Another team of students—the Enactus National Competition Team—received outstanding achievement awards during the BMW awards ceremony on April 22.

Enactus student awards are presented to team members who have performed above and beyond expectations and represented the program in a professional and impactful way, according to Dr. Linda Poisseroux, director of both the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enactus and associate professor of business.

Enactus—which stands for ENtrepreneurial, ACtion, and US-- is an innovative and project-based class and organization based on the foundation of social entrepreneurship and community relations. The team creates their own products and services based on needs within the community and beyond. They also provide consulting services, business workshops, small business summits, and events designed to support local businesses, students, and the campus community, according to Poisseroux.

Read about all the many other award ceremonies that have recently taken place on campus here.