Two students receive Snow
College’s highest award
By Linda Petersen
Staff writer
Apr. 19, 2018
EPHRAIM—Two Snow College students received the school’s highest honor recently when they were named Lorenzo Snow Award recipients.
Brais Marchena, a student from Panama City, and Sierra Koceja-Moon, of Riverton, were chosen to receive the award this year. Marchena was also one of the finalists for Badger of the Year. Moon was a finalist for Woman of the Year in 2017.
Award recipients were nominated by their fellow students, the faculty and staff. Winners were chosen from those nominees by a selection committee.
Marchena, who is a graduating sophomore, is president of the International Club and Pride Club. He is also a Student Ambassador. He has led Snow College student groups on study trips to his home country of Panama. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology and go on to graduate study for a doctorate.
“In the true Spirit of Snow, Brais Marchena has led fearlessly, served unselfishly and worked diligently to make a positive difference in the world,” Master of Ceremonies John Kuchenmeister said at the recognition ceremony.
Moon, a three-year student, has been a member of the Service Club. She has been a resident director in two different residence halls on campus while pursuing her coursework in pre-nursing. She trained and mentored resident assistants in both buildings. In the fall, Moon will attend Weber State University where she will enter the respiratory therapy program and train as a physician’s assistant.
“Those who have worked with her in and out of the classroom have described Sierra as strong, reliable and smart—literally a true Wonder Woman,” Kuchenmeister said.
In other honors, Seth Robertson was named Badger of the Year. The Man of the Year Award went to Eduardo Hernandez. Kylee McClure was named Woman of the Year.
In athletics, Riley Lyman received the Varsity Female Athlete of the Year Award; Samuel Bamber Lister was named Varsity Male Athlete of the Year; Ryan Brenchley received the Intramural Athlete of the Year Award.
Kendall Smith was the recipient of the Volunteer Service Award. The Pride Club was chosen as the Club of the Year. Bonnie Allred received the Inspirational Student Award, and Eduardo Navarro-Garcia was named the Student Employee of the Year.
Outstanding Academic students were named in the school’s five disciplines: Rickey Jewkes in Business and Applied Technology; Hannah Romney in Division of Fine Arts; William Zobell in Division of Humanities; Diego Vanegas in Division of Natural Science and Mathematics; Lydia Bailey in Division of Social and Behavioral Science.
At the March 9 recognition event, President Gary L. Carlston welcomed the finalists and guests. Coach Paul Peterson delivered the Young Alumnus Message and the 2017 Lorenzo Snow Award Recipient Message was given by Schuyler Bradley.
Named after one of the college’s namesakes, the Lorenzo Snow Award honors students who “through dedication and disciplined effort have exercised his or her talents and abilities in an extraordinary manner, overcoming significant obstacles to achieve excellence in academics, extracurricular and campus pursuits. This student exemplifies the very best that Snow College has to offer in citizenship, character, and personal accomplishment,” according to the Lorenzo Snow award program.
