UHV students celebrate year of activities with awards, banquet
For the second time since its founding, the Jaguar Esports Club was named the Student Organization of the Year Tuesday night during the Student Organization and Leadership Banquet at the University of Houston-Victoria.
Jaguar Esports is a student organization that promotes relationships and engagement through video games. The club hosts tournaments for members as well as events for area high school students that bring students to campus to participate in tournaments and events. The club also has partnered with area organizations to put on events off campus as well. During the fall 2024 semester, the club received a $5,000 donation from Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas to fund the purchase of equipment to allow the organization to expand its capacity and capabilities.
“Receiving this award is a bittersweet moment,” said Peter Ifeduba, a senior and the club’s president. “We were able to do a lot, especially with the donation from Formosa, but there was so much more we wanted to do. It’s been great having such a good Esports team and connecting with students from the region.”
The 12th annual UHV Student Organization and Leadership Banquet was held on May 6 in the UHV University North Galvan Community Hall. Students, faculty and staff attended the event to recognize the students, advisors, newly chartered organizations and the student leaders in their respective organizations.
“This banquet is a culmination of a year’s worth of hard work by our students, organizations, staff members and faculty,” said Freddie Cantu, director of UHV Student Involvement. “Everyone who has helped throughout the year plays a crucial part in helping students get involved and stay active outside the classroom.”
To become a chartered organization, an organization must comprise a minimum of five members, including three officers holding a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and secure a UHV faculty or staff advisor. Additionally, the students are required to draft a constitution. This year, the newly charted organizations were Jags for Jesus and The Art Collective.
The Student Organization Member of the Year award was presented to Escynce Cunningham, a sophomore from Cuero and founder of The Art Collective. The people who nominated her for the award highlighted her “remarkable drive, creativity, and care in building something from the ground up.” They also referenced her support for other students and how she led her fellow students “with the heart of an artist and the vision of a true changemaker.”
“It feels nice to know that all the work I put in this semester has amounted to something,” Cunningham said. “I loved making things for people this semester. We carved out our own space for people who like to make things for others.”
Twelve students were recognized for earning ROAR Certified Leaders certifications in one or more of the following areas: communication, problem solving, social responsibility and teamwork. The students who completed all four certifications were named Distinguished ROAR Certified Leaders.
The students who received ROAR Certified Leaders certifications were:
- Ashley Gwosdz
- Chelsea Crawford
- Payton Hopkins
- Sara Alvim
- Alenka Porras Lujan – Distinguished Leader
- David Davila – Distinguished Leader
- Elizabeth Hernandez – Distinguished Leader
- Jacquelyn Velazquez – Distinguished Leader
- Jimmie Jones – Distinguished Leader
- Phuong Minh Nguyen – Distinguished Leader
- Thanh Le – Distinguished Leader
- Toby “Bo” Walding – Distinguished Leader
Thomas Schilb, UHV Makerspace librarian, was named the Advisor of the Year for his work with The Art Collective. As the group’s advisor, Schilb connects students with resources and offers space for expression. According to the nomination, he consistently listens to students’ ideas and concerns with patience and respect, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. He also supports the students by helping them take on leadership roles and achieve their goals together.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award and to work with such talented students,” Schilb said. “Their creativity, thoughtfulness, and initiative make me proud to be a part of their education. I tell them often that it’s not a matter of ‘can,’ but rather of ‘how.’ We never know what we can do until we try, and I’m delighted to help in any way I can.”
The Student Government Association also presented awards to students. The Spirit of the Jaguar Award recognizes underclassmen who display integrity and respect, are actively involved at UHV and encompass what it means to be a Jaguar. The recipients of this award also will receive a $300 scholarship from SGA for the fall semester. This year, the award was presented to Jadein Alderete, Logan Kenne and Fiti-Alesana Pase.
In addition, three UHV upperclassmen received the “I Am UHV” award, which is similar to the Spirit of the Jaguar award but recognizes upperclassmen. The winners of the “I Am UHV” award will also receive a $300 scholarship from SGA. The awards were presented to Helenavi Sumilong, Jordyn Arroyo and Jorge Deza Nunez.
Another award presented at the banquet is the Campus Humanitarian of the Year award. This award is presented to an individual who helps UHV to be a more welcoming, safe and inclusive environment. The recipient will also receive a $500 scholarship from SGA for the fall semester. This year, the award was presented to Lila Hamilton.
Other award winners on Tuesday were:
- Emerging Leader of the Year – Noah Perez
- Leadership Legacy Award – Jacquelyn Velazquez and Raquel Coronado
- Quiet Influencer Award – Christsia Woodward
- Student Volunteer of the Year – Emma Matak
- Student Government Member of the Year – Jonese Cherry
- Student Employee Excellence Award – Michaela Pate, Abraham Taylor, Lily Standridge and Treasure Godley-Williams
Helenavi Sumilong ended the evening with her address as the incoming president of the Student Government Association. Sumilong will begin her term on June 1.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.