Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) recently honored its outstanding students for the 2006-2007 school year with an awards ceremony held May 9 at the Coon Rapids Campus. Area students earning recognition in an academic area or an activity were: (see photos below)

Jodie Anderson received the Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Student award.

Tim Anderson of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Speech Student award. Anderson is a 2000 graduate of Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, Minn. A freshman, he is studying education and theater and plans to complete an associate in arts degree at ARCC.

Breanna Baerg received the Outstanding American Sign Language Student award.

Brenna Balkus of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Natural Science Student award. Balkus is a 2000 graduate of Brooklyn Center High School in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Baerg is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and plans to attend Hamline University to continue her liberal arts studies.

Kenneth Bearl received the Outstanding Computer Science Student award.

Michael Capp received the Outstanding Mathematics, AMATYC-second place Student award.

Victoria Dahmen received the Outstanding Humanities Student award.

Amanda Even of Spring Lake Park, Minn. received the Outstanding Student award for her work with the two-year college honor society, Phi Theta Kappa. A sophomore, Even has served as Phi Theta Kappa president, co-president of the Creative Writing Club, a member of the Campus Democrats and Progressives and on the Student Life Committee. Earlier this year, Even was nominated to the All-USA Minnesota State Academic Team and was named Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished President. At ARCC, she focused on religious studies and plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota and then to Harvard University. Even is the daughter of Sandra Even of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Andrew Fager of North Branch, Minn., received the Outstanding Engineering Student award. Fager is a 2006 home-school high school graduate. A sophomore, he is studied mechanical engineering at ARCC and plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota. During his time at ARCC, Fager was a peer tutor, a member of the Math Club and on the Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters. Fager is the son of Kirby and JoAnn Fager of North Branch, Minn.

Angela Franzen of Coon Rapids, Minn. received the Outstanding Student award for her work as a Vocalist. Franzen is a 2005 graduate of Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, Minn. A sophomore, she plans to transfer to St. Cloud State University to continue her pre-law studies. Franzen is the daughter of Lisa Miles-Franzen of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Matthew Gilbertson of Lino Lakes, Minn. received the Outstanding Student award for his work as an actor. Gilbertson is a 2005 graduate of Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minn. A sophomore, Gilbertson will be the first student to receive an associate in fine arts (A.F.A.) degree in theatre at ARCC. Gilbertson is the son of Reverend Chad and Lori Gilbertson of Lino Lakes, Minn.

Joseph Gottwaldt of Ramsey, Minn. received the Outstanding Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Student award and the Outstanding Student award for his work as an athlete. Gottwaldt is a 2005 graduate of Anoka High School in Anoka, Minn. A sophomore, Gottwaldt studied kinesiology, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and received All-Division and All-State Baseball honors while attending ARCC. Gottwaldt is the son of Jim and Lynn Gottwaldt of Ramsey, Minn.

Bright Hachaba of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Business award. Hachaba is a 1995 graduate of Naboye High School in Kafue, Zambia. A sophomore, Hachaba studied accounting and finance and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa while attending ARCC. He currently serves on the board of Shomeka Outreach and plans to transfer to Metropolitan State University. Hachaba is the husband of Naomi B. Hachaba.

Casey Harris of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Philosophy Student award. Harris is a 2005 graduate of Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, Minn. A sophomore, he studied music, with an emphasis on guitar, at ARCC and plans to transfer to the McNally Smith School of Music. Harris is the son of David Harris and Kathleen Wilkinson of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Jamie Hirschel received the Outstanding Sociology Student award.

Crystal Holzer received the Outstanding English and Journalism Student awards and the Outstanding Student award for her work as Contributor to the ARCC Literary Magazine.

Christopher Jopp of Champlin, Minn., received the Outstanding Art Student award. Jopp is a 2004 graduate of Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minn. A sophomore, he plans to transfer to the Minneapolis School of Art and Design. Jopp is the son of Peter and Patricia Jopp of Champlin, Minn.

Jens Jorgenson of East Bethel, Minn. received the Outstanding Student award for his work as Contributor to Student Newspaper. Jorgenson is a 2004 graduate of St. Francis High School in St. Francis, Minn. He is studying journalism at ARCC and plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Jorgenson is the son of Brennen and Dinae Jorgenson of East Bethel, Minn.

Amanda Klawiter received the Outstanding Psychology Student award.

Randall George Krug II of Champlin, Minn., received the Outstanding Biology Student award. Krug is currently a home-school high school senior and a PSEO student at ARCC studying biology/pre-med. While at ARCC, he was on the Dean’s list, a four-star member of Phi Theta Kappa, the co-vice president of the Chemistry Club, a member of the Math Club and the Biology Club, a tutor, selected to participate in an independent research program (a partnership program between ARCC and the University of Minnesota). Krug also played intramural football and softball and plans to transfer to Augsburg College to continue his studies. Krug is the son of Randall and Laura Krug of Champlin, Minn.

Talitha Lee received the Outstanding Anthropology Student award.

Uyen Nguyen of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding CRC Press Chemistry Achievement Student award. Nguyen is a 2006 graduate of Blaine High School in Blaine, Minn. A freshman, she is studying chemical engineering and plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota to complete her studies. Nguyen is the daughter of Nghiem Nguyen of Coon Rapids, Inn.

Dennis Nyamongo of Champlin, Minn., received the Outstanding Reading Student award. Nyamongo is a 2006 graduate of Champlin High School in Champlin, Minn. A freshman, he is in the physical therapy assistant program at ARCC and plans to complete an associate in applied science degree. Nyamongo is the son of Henery Ondieki Masi.

Mirjam Palmer of Delano, Minn., received the Outstanding Geography Student award. A sophomore, she plans to transfer to Metropolitan State University with an associate in arts degree in international business. While attending ARCC, she was on the Dean’s list every semester and also a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Palmer is the wife of Jon Palmer.

Mark Peterson of Lauderdale, Minn., received the Outstanding Integrative Health and Healing Student award. Palmer is a 1985 graduate of Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minn. and currently employed at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. While at ARCC, he maintained a 3.84 grade point average and published photos in the ARCC arts magazine, “The Rapids Review.” Peterson plans to transfer to the College of St. Catherine to pursue a master’s degree in holistic health studies.

Leesha Plante of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding French Student award. A PSEO student, she is home schooled and concurrently studying communications at ARCC. She plans to earn an associates degree at ARCC.

Thomas Raddatz of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Chinese and Theatre Arts Student awards as well as the Outstanding Student of the Year award. A freshman, he is studying theatre and Chinese and plans to complete an associate in fine arts at ARCC before transferring to the University of Minnesota. As an ARCC student, Raddatz has been a member of Student Government and the Philosophy Club, performed in theatre productions and contributed to both the ARCC student newspaper, Salmagundi and the ARCC art magazine, “The Rapids Review.” Raddatz is the son of Dan and Lisa Raddatz of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Nichol Schmeichel received the Outstanding Study Skills Student award.

Sarah Slather of Mounds View, Minn. received the Outstanding Student award for her work as an instrumentalist. Slathar is a 2005 graduate of from Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minn. A sophomore, she plans to receive an associate in fine arts (A.F.A.) in music at ARCC and has received a $2,500 scholarship from Augsburg College, where she plans to transfer with an ARCC associate in fine arts in music.

Jack Smith of Silver Creek, Minn., received the Outstanding Biomedical Technology Student award. Smith is a 1976 graduate of Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, Cal. Prior to attending ARCC, Smith earned a bachelor of science degree, attended the Naval Academy and was a U.S. Navy pilot. At ARCC, he studied biomedical technology and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Tara Tallman received the Outstanding Political Science Student award.

Thomas Thoe of East Bethel, Minn., received the Outstanding Mathematics, AMATYC-first place Student award. Thoe is currently a home-school high school senior and a PSEO student at ARCC studying aerospace engineering to earn pre-engineering credits. As a ARCC student, he is a member of the math club and the One for All Christian Fellowship and a math and physics tutor. Thoe plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota and hope to participate in sending the first manned mission to Mars one day. Thoe is the son of Bob and Donna Thoe of East Bethel, Minn. and Carole Thoe of Crystal, Minn. He is the grandson of Robert and Seath of Coon Rapids, Minn.

Heather Wallace received the Outstanding Chemistry award.

Jessica Wesseling received the Outstanding German Student award.

Jess Wheldon of Andover, Minn., received the Outstanding Mathematics, AMATYC-second place Student award. Wheldon is a 2005 graduate of Andover High School in Andover, Minn. A sophomore in the transfer curriculum studying math, she plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota. As an ARCC student, Wheldon was a member of the Physics Club and a math tutor. Wheldon is the son of Mike and Kris Wheldon of Andover, Minn.

Elizabeth Ziegler of Coon Rapids, Minn., received the Outstanding Music Student award. Ziegler is a 2006 graduate of Princeton High School in Princeton, Minn. A sophomore, she has studied music business and performance and plans to graduate from ARCC with an associate of fine arts (A.F.A.) and then to transfer to Augsburg College. Ziegler is the daughter of Norma and Mike Ziegler of Princeton, Minn.

Leanna Zimmerman received the Outstanding Student Nursing Student award.