Honors banquet showcases student work

The efforts of students in DMACC’s Honors Program took center stage (literally) at the Honors Recognition Banquet held this past April 24 at the FFA Center on the Ankeny Campus. 

The event showcased the academic achievements of students while providing them an opportunity to display their final projects for friends and family. Among the attendees was Nancy Woods, the newly appointed Honors Program director, who reflected on her busy yet fulfilling role: “It’s been busy, but I have loved every minute of it!”

Woods shared her hopes for the students: “I hope they feel motivated to continue striving for academic and personal excellence. I want them to feel empowered and supported, and to know that we see them and appreciate them. Our students are amazing individuals, and we love them all.”

The banquet’s main theme, while highlighting the students’ achievements, featured Poster-Presentation Sessions and Honors-Seminar Class Showcases, culminating in an Honors Recognition Ceremony. The goal was to honor those graduating “With DMACC Honors.” This year, graduates received both a certificate and a medallion. The keynote speaker was Vice-President MD Isley, while four student speakers shared their experiences.

For many students, like Danielle Forkner, the Honors Program has been a journey of personal and academic growth. “Serving as president of the Student Honors Advisory Board and Phi Theta Kappa Beta Delta Psi has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life,” Danielle shared. “I’ve had the chance to connect with faculty, staff, and students in meaningful ways, and I’ve grown into a leader I never imagined I could become. My confidence has soared, and I’m so grateful for every opportunity that helped me discover my voice and purpose.”

Danielle also reflected on her Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action project, which focused on hunger issues. “Our project focused on how hard-working individuals — those working 40 hours a week — may still be unable to afford the food their families need yet earn too much to qualify for government assistance. These are the silent struggles many people face, and it’s important we bring awareness and compassion to these issues.”

“The Honors Banquet is always a highlight — a moment to witness the amazing work of our fellow Honor students. The energy, drive, and commitment within the honors community is unmatched, and I’m so proud to have been part of it.” Danielle recalled. 

One of the students featured at the banquet was Tony Guizar, a mechanical engineering major from Guadalajara, Mexico. Initially drawn to the program for its financial benefits, Tony soon found deeper value in the program’s community and the mentors he encountered. “I met so many amazing people who have mentored me, taught me how to be a better student, a better person, a better family member, and a better friend,” he said.

Tony’s honors project, with professor Shree Banjara, used differential equations to model the functions of a pork farm, an important industry in Iowa. The project focused on how factors like weather, diseases, and food availability impact the pig population, offering insights for the farming industry. The project culminated in a research poster with QR codes linking to detailed documents and videos.

For Tony, the most anticipated moment of the banquet was as one of the event’s speakers. “It’s a marking point in my life. If you told me five or ten years ago that I’d be speaking in front of a crowd of intelligent people trying to inspire them, I would never believe it,” he said. “It’s a big milestone for me. It’s unexpected, but it’s a sign of progress about how far I’ve come.”

As the program came to a close, Tony expressed a mix of excitement and bittersweet emotions about his upcoming transfer to Iowa State University. “It’s going to be great, but it’s also a little frightening. I’m sad to leave such wonderful people, but I’m excited for the future,” he said. His final takeaway from the program was to work toward being a better version of oneself every day.

“I’d like to thank my family: my mom Yolanda, my grandpa Guillermo, my auntie Yan, my uncle Edgar, and my cousins Iyari and Santiago. My mentors Nancy Woods, Dan Platt, and Shree Banjara. And finally, a huge thank you to my friends for supporting me through this experience.”

As Danielle prepares for her upcoming transfer to Drake University, she shared a final message: “As I pass the torch to the next group of student leaders, I want to share one thing I’ve learned: do what you think you can’t. Step out of the dark. See the light. Follow it. Chase it. Be more than you ever thought possible. You are a light in the darkness — and you are strong. Don’t forget it.”

Danielle, like Tony, expressed her deep gratitude for the experiences and connections she gained at DMACC. “Thank you, DMACC, for everything: To the professors, to Phi Theta Kappa, to Dr. Woods, to my mom, to my son, and to everyone who believed in me — thank you.”

Nancy Woods spoke about the program’s evolution: “We’re changing and growing as DMACC changes and grows. Our goal is to serve students in the best way possible.” She expressed her desire for students to leave the event feeling “… empowered, supported, and motivated to keep striving for excellence.”

The Honors Recognition Banquet overall not only celebrated academic success but also highlighted the growth of students like Danielle and Tony, who leave the program not just with academic honors, but with valuable life lessons and lasting connections.