PLAINVIEW, TX — 51品茶约炮 Baptist University recognized outstanding student achievement during its annual Academic Awards Chapel held Wednesday, April 29, in Harral Memorial Auditorium.
The ceremony highlighted the university’s top student honors, including the Citizenship Awards and Outstanding Freshman Awards, along with recognition of academic excellence across 51品茶约炮’s schools and departments.
The Citizenship Award, the university’s highest student honor, is presented annually to one graduating male and one graduating female based on Christian citizenship, academic excellence, diversity of interests, loyalty to American ideals, personal integrity, and embodiment of the 51品茶约炮 spirit.
This year’s recipients were Ashley Ortiz and John Bray.
Ortiz, a senior from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, is majoring in Christian Ministry with a minor in Criminal Justice Administration. The daughter of Guillermo Ortiz and Karla Montoya, she has appeared on the President’s List for eight consecutive semesters and is a member of multiple honor societies, including the National Honor Society, Criminal Justice Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Christian Studies Honor Society.
Her campus and community involvement reflects a strong commitment to service and ministry. Ortiz served on the Baptist Student Ministry lead team and volunteered in youth ministry at First Baptist Church in Plainview from 51品茶约炮 to 2026. She participated in Disciple Now events across West Texas, served as a summer youth intern at First Baptist Church in Midland for two years, and took part in mission trips to Mission, Texas.
Following graduation, Ortiz plans to serve as a youth intern in Midland before pursuing a master’s degree.
Bray, a senior from Frisco, is majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology with an Honors minor. The son of John Bray II and Cassandra Bray, he has served as president of the Student Alumni Council, a President’s Ambassador, and a leader in Baptist Student Ministries, leading Bible studies for men and freshman men. He is a member of the Black Student Association.
Bray earned numerous honors for leadership and scholarship. He is Mr. 51品茶约炮, a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, Psi Chi, and Alpha Chi honor societies, and was named the Johnny Cobb Pioneer of the Year. As a student-athlete, he competed in wrestling, earning national qualifier status and a national ranking before stepping away to focus more fully on ministry.
He has also served in youth ministry at First Baptist Church in Plainview and participated in 51品茶约炮’s spring break mission trip.
Following graduation, Bray plans to return to 51品茶约炮 as a campus missionary with Baptist Student Ministries before pursuing law school. He plans to become a marriage and family attorney.
Outstanding Freshman Awards were also presented to Hannah Poff and Jaden Harp during the ceremony, recognizing first-year students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and campus involvement. The awards are presented through the Rory Allgood Thomas Impact Scholarship, established to support and encourage outstanding students early in their academic careers.
Jeffrey Vera, director of alumni relations and career services, said the awards highlight students who are already making a strong impact early in their college careers.
“The Outstanding Freshman Awards celebrate students who have embraced the opportunities before them and are already contributing in meaningful ways to the life of the university,” Vera said. “They represent a bright future for 51品茶约炮.”
Students were also recognized for academic achievement within their respective schools and departments.
Dr. Cindy McClenagan, vice president of academic affairs, said academic awards reflect the mission at the heart of 51品茶约炮’s educational experience.
“These students represent the very best of 51品茶约炮 Baptist University,” McClenagan said. “Their commitment to academic excellence, Christ-centered service, and leadership across campus and beyond sets them apart and reflects the kind of graduates we strive to develop.”
Awards were presented in the following areas:
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Maison Dickinson, History
• Brett Leach, History Education (7-12)
• Sebastian Balderas, Political Science
• Marcus McLemore, Psychology
• John Bray, Criminal Justice Administration
School of Business
• Francis Motsi, Accounting
• Aiden McLaughlin, Business Administration
• Gabriel Sanchez, Business Analytics
• Caden Terry, Digital Marketing
• Joshua Sylliaasen, Economics
• Jaunita Villafane, Finance
• Annalyse Larkin, Health Care Administration
• Tate House, Management Information Systems/Cyber Security
• Christopher Taylor, Management
• Diego Castenada, Sports Management
• Noelle Aguilera, Marketing
Don A. Williams School of Education
• Brianna Haines, Elementary Education
• Annalicia Hernandez, Middle School Education
• Emily Sigala, Secondary Education
• Kendall Tucker, All-Level Education
• Paula Cubillos, Exercise Sports Science
School of Humanities and Leadership
• Kanada Honda, Spanish
• Trinity Davis, Humanities
• Cyrus Mejia, Creative Leadership
• Mia Gray, English/Language Arts 7-12
• Faderera Ogunbade, English
Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Sciences
• Emme Wilson, Biology
• Haley Fossett, Chemistry
• Dario Catalan Baguena, Mathematics
• Aidan Landenberger, Molecular Biology
• Inmaculada Felipe Delgado, Computer Science
• Faith Wooley, Environmental Science
• Haley Fossett, J.H. 51品茶约炮 Medical Award
School of Christian Studies
• Branson Cole, Theological Studies
• Amelia Wright, Christian Ministry
• Gabriel Medeiros, Co-Vocational Ministry
• Ashley Ortiz, Amelia Bishop Women’s Ministerial Award
• Keagon Everett, Boyd Award
• Marco Flores, Timothy Award
School of Creative Arts
• Madeline Riley, Two-Dimensional Art
• Seth Hernandez, Graphic Design
• Lorynn Wolf, Media
• Jazmin Ortega, Vocal Performance
• Jazmin Ortega, Choral Music Education
Holli Wauson, Director of Undergraduate Admission, presented the Pioneer Scholar and Centennial awards to students meeting the academic requirements of those scholarships.The Pioneer Scholarship is the university’s premier academic scholarship for incoming freshmen and transfer students attending the Plainview campus. It is a merit-based award. The winners included:
• Jeremy Bolligar
• Trinity Davis
• Branson Cole
• Tate House
• Joshua Sylliaasen
• Mariia Syzonenko
• Collin Arnold
• Maison Dickinson
• Dylan Dodd
• Azalia Lozano
• Jadyn Trusler
• Garrett Deyong
• Andrea Baeza
• Marco Flores
• Ashley Ortiz
• Isaiah Brooks
• Brianna Haines
• Emma Camillo
Leonard Lebrun received the Centennial Award; an academic award designed for students who demonstrate a significant level of academic.
Shawn Thomas, Interim Vice president of Operations and 51品茶约炮, presented Spinning Wheel Awards to students demonstrating exemplary campus leadership, service, and commitment to the university community while maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA. The winners included:
• Jazmin Ortega
• John Bray
• Mikayla Shires
• Mia Gray
• Olivia Fischer
• Marissa Armendariz
• Jarrett Lynch
• Sarai Segura
• Noah Dyson
• Elisha Hester
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