Brent Denisar More than 120 students were honored at Midlands Technical College's annual Honors Ceremony on Thursday, April 16, at 7 pm in the Airport Campus Academic Center Auditorium. Each year, the ceremony recognizes students who have exhibited outstanding academic achievement or community involvement or are scholarship recipients.

Among this year's honorees were Kevin Sheppard and Bianca Williams, members of the Phi Theta Kappa South Carolina All- State Academic Team. Students named to SC's All- State Academic Team were selected for their outstanding accomplishments in academics, leadership, and community and college service.

Other honorees this year included 12 recipients of some of the major Midlands Technical College Foundation scholarships. A total of 130 scholarships were funded this year by the Foundation for a total amount approaching $99,000. These scholarships were made possible by donations from individuals, corporations, and other private- sector interests.

"The Honors Ceremony is a special occasion, a time when the college community celebrates the academic successes, literary talents, and service contributions of our students," said Dr. Marshall (Sonny) White Jr., president of Midlands Technical College. "It's also a time when we honor those students who have gone above and beyond what they were expected to do."

Douglas Martin One of the exceptional award winners honored at the ceremony was Brent Denisar, this year's Outstanding Associate in Science Student. Denisar earned a four-year degree in journalism from Syracuse University and spent five years on active duty in the army before coming to MTC to start a new career path toward medical school.

After completing active duty and talking with his brother, who was in medical school at the time, Denisar felt he needed to take his life in a new direction. Denisar said, "If you're capable and able to do what you want to do, you should do it."

In addition to maintaining a very high GPA, Denisar volunteers at the VA Hospital each week and continues to serve in the army reserves.

Another of this year's exceptional award winners was Douglas Martin, Outstanding Human Services Student. Last year, Martin and a peer, Kadejah Pickering, formed a non- profit organization to provide better Christmases to needy families. Martin decided to get involved because of the great need he witnessed in the community.

Martin's and Pickering's first step with the project was making a few phone calls. "Within a matter of hours," Martin said, "the support we received was outstanding. Everyone was willing to support the project."

Martin is currently collecting donations for the upcoming holiday season. Some of Martin's other accomplishments include being recognized by the president of the United Way of the Midlands and presenting at the MTC African American Male Leadership Conference.