Blackwell, Bautista among those honored with RCC academic awards

ASHEBORO — Malinda Blackwell of Liberty, an Advertising and Graphic Design student, was chosen as Randolph Community College’s Academic Excellence Award winner for 2019.

Blackwell was one of 58 students from each community college in North Carolina who were recognized in April for academic excellence. AEA selection requirements are consistent with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society criteria. Students must be currently enrolled, must have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program and must have a cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.25. A committee at RCC selected the final recipient based on faculty recommendations.

Blackwell, a mother of two who overcame an abusive relationship and cancer, enrolled in the Graphic Design Program at RCC at 27 to pursue her dream of being a graphic artist. She graduated with an Advertising and Graphic Design Degree on May 8.

“I had never made straight A’s before college,” she said. “I never felt like I belonged anywhere before joining the design program. My fellow classmates and instructors have become like family to me. I have finally found the support I longed for and inspiration I needed within Randolph Community College. I now see that the unreachable is within grasp. Dreams can be a reality with hard work and determination.”

Jose Bautista of Asheboro was RCC’s nominee for the 2019 Dallas Herring Achievement Award, which was established by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the system. The award is given annually to a current or former community college student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy.

Bautista came to the United States from Mexico as a toddler. Fast-forward 14 years, and Bautista is both an ambitious student at Randolph Early College High School on the RCC campus and a dedicated volunteer in his community. He has served as Treasurer for Phi Theta Kappa, led Liberty Elementary students with an art project, led residents in games and crafts at Universal Healthcare in Ramseur, helped plant 25 trees at Franklinville Elementary while teaching the students the importance of caring for the environment, and assisted with the Armadillo Drop-In, which helps new RCC students to find their classes, and get parking passes and student IDs. Bautista, who plays the drums at his church, also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and at the local soup kitchen and the North Carolina Zoo.

“I’ve always told my parents, ‘I’ll pay you back for what you’ve done for me.’ ” said Bautista, who is hoping to become a mechanical engineer. “The staff [at RECHS] has really given me a hand and my family as well. ... Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to make a change. That’s one of my dreams.”

RCC also recognized student achievement with its annual Academic Awards and Curriculum Awards.