Anoka-Ramsey Honors Outstanding Students of 2026

Honorees at Student of the Year Awards held in Cambridge and Coon Rapids on April 28 and 29, 2026.

April 29, 2026

Anoka-Ramsey Community College is proud to celebrate the academic and extra-curricular successes of its students during the 2025-2026 academic year. Nominated by college faculty, students are recognized across academic disciplines, student activities and an overall outstanding student of the year award for each of the college’s campuses.

Congratulations to the following honorees for their outstanding achievements:

Cambridge Honorees

Outstanding Cambridge Student of the Year

JJ Hadley

Academic Discipline Award Recipients

JJ Hadley, Biology
Cassandra Fedewa, Communication Studies
Alicia Bennett, Economics
Megan Davey, English
Payton Buckley, Health, Physical Education, Exercise Science and Recreation
Gretchen Hanson, Mathematics

Student Activity Award Recipients

Merlyn Zortman, Events Planning Team
James Paine, Peer Tutor
Alicia Bennett, Phi Theta Kappa
Richard Benson, Phi Theta Kappa
JJ Hadley, TRIO SSS Achiever

Student Senate Award Recipients

Shauny N. Willis, Director of Communications
Isel Spencer, Director of Public Relations
JJ Hadley, President
Tristan Carpenter, Vice President

Student Worker Award Recipients

Rhiannan Amerud, Fitness Center
Isel Spencer, Library
James Paine, Library
JJ Hadley, Library

Coon Rapids Honorees

Outstanding Coon Rapids Student of the Year

Brock Raabe

Academic Discipline Award Recipients

Gabrielle Niblo, Art
Abigail Johnson, Art
Mia Bernhardt, Biology
Oan Johnson, Chemistry
Gavin Sorenson, Communication Studies
Norah Lee Parker, English
Grace Ninnemann, Exercise Science and Recreation
Robert Squatrito, Integrative Health & Healing
Jen Edman, Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching
Anne Harvey, Mass Communications
Mateo Hernandez, Mathematics
Connor Gould, AMATYC – 1st Place
Wes Lindahl , AMATYC – 2nd Place
Mateo Hernandez – AMATYC 3rd Place
Brandon Turner, Music
Aliyah Carry, Nursing
Syd Estby, Philosophy & Humanities
Annika Olson, Physical Therapist Assistant
Alaina Payne, Political Science
Alexis Obando, Psychology
Ahlia A. Kahn, Sociology
Daisy-Jean Wawers, Theatre

Student Activity Award Recipients

Gabe Smith, Athlete
Rachel Hiles, Contributor to Literary Magazine
Dominick Mord, Instrumentalist
Ava Marty, Phi Theta Kappa
Beekan Kassim, Student Senator
Alyson Jayne Sorrell, Theatre Technician
Lex Vue, Vocalist