HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College recently inducted more than 80 students into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).
Vice President for Students, Kristen Holmes, opened the ceremony. “Our chapter of the NSLS was founded to help our members create the success they want by enabling them to engage in reflection and self-exploration,” she said. “The NSLS provides members with tools for action, inspiration to hold them accountable, and motivation to achieve their goals. To our inductees, after today’s ceremony, you are officially an inducted member of the NSLS.”
The ceremony continued with keynote speaker and Wallace State Recruiter, Logan Edmonds. He imparted advice on those before him. “I encourage you to seize your light and use it for the better,” he said. “This means not just seeing the need for change but stepping up and changing the world. Each person follows the same winding road that we call life. On that road, there are bumps and throughout life, you will have a choice to either pass them by or stop, reach out, and lend a hand. A selfless leader will see the opportunity to help those in need; this is true success and is what being in NSLS is all about.”
NSLS Program Sponsor Karen Downs took a moment to honor the dedication and service of four esteemed Wallace State staff members. Downs recognized them with the Excellence in Service to Students Award. Among the honorees were Kristen Holmes, VP for students and chief marketing officer; Christy Hicks, director of campus ministries; Brooke Quick, academic/career advisor; and Dakota Nichols, director of student engagement & residential life.
Jennifer Wickert, fourth semester Nursing student and IT Coordinator for the Wallace State Chapter of the NSLS, shared how NSLS has impacted her life, noting setbacks due to online nursing school formats that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as her transfer from a previous institution to Wallace State. Wickert attributes much of her success to the Wallace State NSLS chapter, stating, “NSLS came into my life and helped me learn how to set achievable goals,” she said. “The program has given me the opportunity to serve my campus in a way that accommodates my constantly changing schedule. I have been involved in many community service projects and have expanded my skills in IT, thanks to my NSLS membership.”
Despite facing adversity, Wickert passed her LPN boards to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. “That leads me to where I am today, a fourth semester nursing student on the road to my RN license,” Wickert said. “So, for me, success is not just about accomplishing the end goal, it is about facing the challenges in my path head on and not giving up. I encourage you to do the same. As one of the quotes on the NSLS site states, “Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.”
The following students were inducted into the Wallace State Chapter of the NSLS:
Altoona: Alexis Brody
Arab: Adam Holmes, Katrina Potter, Mackenzie Tankersley, Brooke Tyler
Birmingham: Jaleigh Frazier, Liam Meaden, Cyrenthia Sanders-Linton, Tunya Scott, Tayla Sims, Candace Williams, Salea Williams
Boaz: Ester Jose
Center Point: Monisha Williams
Cleveland: Jenna Adams, Mya Baird, Sarah McGrady, Atyah Jones
Crossville: Michelle Castellon
Cullman: Madea Easterwood, Crystal Eubanks, Guillermo Gonzalez, Ashley Gonzalez Zea, Haylee Hernandez, LilyBeth Jean, Isabella King, Sabrina “Jake” Myers, RaShawna O’Neil, Kali Orear, Ellanora Slusser, Raegan Stephens, Jon Trammell, Cadan Welch
Danville: Victoria Patterson
Decatur: Yoselin Soto
Dora: Luke Kelly
Empire: Analissa Warren
Eva: Chaden Hill
Falkville: Audrey Anderson, Patience Hand, Kaileigh Hart, Ethan Monfort
Forestdale: Brittany Hall
Gardendale: Addison Dunagan, Ellena Hicks
Hanceville: Marianne Hall, John McDonald, Rodney Spruill, Adalyn Stewart
Hartselle: Monica Akers, Corey Naylor, Hallie Watson
Hayden: Alexis Bland, Gavin Graham, Lauren Holliman, Anna Jones, Riley Simpson
Henagar: Kylie Roden
Holly Pond: Raven Dukes, Mackenzie Gaskins, Olivia Price
Hoover: Amelia Dutton
Huntsville: Haddy Sanneh, Jessica Seckin, Caroline Worley
Jasper: Stacey Stevenson
Locust Fork: Kaylynn Tawbush
Madison: Bianca McGee
Mobile: Kaleigh McGee
Morris: Emily Grace Roper
Mount Olive: Reagan Lyles, Kaylee Ragsdale
Oneonta: Gabriela Hernandez Garcia, Linda Luna, Diana Nunez Avila
Pinson: Jazzlynn Carrington, Nora Claire Rosner
Pleasant Grove: Janiyah Bodley
Remlap: Emily Delgado Duarte
Somerville: Christina Alexander, Abby Daniels, Lana James
Trafford: Chelsea Page, Sydnie Richey
Trinity: Felicia Terry
Vinemont: Candance Freeman, Lindsey Slaton
Warrior: Victoria Smith
The NSLS is an organization that provides a leadership program that helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities. NSLS initiation is by invitation. Karen Downs, 256-352-7886, karen.downs@wallacestate.edu is the NSLS sponsor.
Excellence in Service to Students Awards were presented to Christy Hicks, director of campus ministries; Kristen Holmes, VP for students and chief marketing officer; Brooke Quick, academic/career advisor; and Dakota Nichols, director of student engagement & residential life. (Wallace State)
