By The Chronicle staff
Centralia College has announced its six Outstanding Students for the graduating class of 2023.
The Outstanding Students are chosen for overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of their degrees, for achieving their educational goals and for being active and engaged members of the college community, according to Centralia College.
Students are nominated by faculty and staff, and the winners are chosen by a selection committee.
“We had so many deserving students,” stated Robert Cox, vice president of student services. “The six we selected each embody the Centralia College mission and it’s an honor to recognize them as Outstanding Students.”
The six students are listed below with descriptions submitted by Centralia College.
All six students will be honored for their achievements at the Centralia College Foundation’s Night of Celebration on June 15 and at the commencement ceremony on June 16.
- Madison Frank began at Centralia College as a Running Start student. She earned her associate degree with highest honors in 2021 and will earn her bachelor’s degree in teacher education in June. She served as art club president and has served two years in student leadership, first as the coordinator for student engagement and this year as the vice president. She is an active member of her church and very involved on campus and off.
- Kamille Hill is completing her associate degree in welding at Centralia College. She has already earned her certifications from the Washington Association of Building Officials in several types of welding. When she’s not in class, she is a volunteer firefighter and a referee and coach for youth basketball and baseball. She is dedicated to her family and said everything she has done is to improve their lives.
- Aleena Hurd is a Running Start student from Rochester High School. She is pursuing her associate in science degree and wants to be a pediatric gastroenterologist. She is very active on campus and serves in student government as the publicity coordinator. In addition, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (the national honor society for two-year colleges) and speech club, plays on the college’s esports team, and plays flute for the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra.
- Lyndi Klacik is a homeschool student who started at Centralia College through the Running Start program. She is graduating in June with an associate degree in communication studies. She is vice president of the Speech Club and placed in the top five public speakers in the state at the two-year college level. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and plans to begin selling her original artwork.
- Tiffani Lund started at Centralia College wanting to earn her high school diploma and hasn’t stopped. She earned her associate degree with high honors in 2021 and will complete her bachelor’s degree in teacher education with high honors in June. She is passionate about helping others and serves as a student mentor, writing consultant, and tutor on campus. She is a founding member of Spilled Ink, the college’s literary and arts magazine. She has three children.
- Michas Taitano is currently incarcerated at Cedar Creek Correction Center, where he has distinguished himself as an exceptionally gifted student and mentor. He has a full-time job training newly incarcerated workers across the state and was honored for his work on the Bolt Creek Fire in 2022. He has already published a book about his efforts to reconnect with his adolescent daughter. He is excited to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications after he is released and hopes to work as a journalist.
