Mr. and Ms. YU Candidates Announced
Mr. and Ms. YU Candidates Announced
Apr 11, 2023
Eight students will be recognized as candidates for Mr. and Ms. York University, presented
annually at the all-school banquet on Tuesday, April 11. Faculty and staff nominated
these students based on the following attributes:
- Embody a commitment to the mission, purpose, and core values of York University.
- Are recognized by students, faculty, and staff as servant leaders who make positive
contributions in all they do.
- Are well-rounded individuals who pursue spiritual integrity and academic excellence
while making contributions to the campus and community, forming healthy personal relationships,
and living godly lives.
Mr. YU Nominees:
Elias Dallmann
Major: Secondary Education English
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society, Alpha Chi National Honor Society,
Best supporting actor (2021), Best Children’s theatre performance (2020)
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Theatre, Children's theatre, Production crew
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be teaching English at David City Public Schools while building theatre and
speech programs for students.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
A lot changes in four years. I've had friends come and go, jobs change, a pandemic
interrupt a school year, and future dreams evolve. But what hasn't changed is the
love and acceptance I feel on campus at York University. I feel blessed to be a part
of the culture and community. I am a more compassionate and faith driven person because
of the lessons I learned while at York.
While I am looking forward to jumping into life after college and graduation, I will
always remember the impact York University has had on me. I can't wait to return to
campus again.
Jordan Strong
Major: Business Administration
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Dean's List, Inducted into Alpha Chi, Homecoming Court Freshmen and Senior Year, All
KCAC Scholar-Athlete
What York University activities have you been involved in?
University Singers - President, Track, Celebration Singer, YCM
What are your plans after graduation?
I am getting married to Rachael Petts this summer. Then I will be staying in York
to complete my master's degree.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
Throughout my time here at York, there has been a variety of different students, staff,
and facutly every year. However, the thing that has stayed consistent is the dedication
to York University's mission statement. I have seen myself transformed will being
here. I have grown into someone with confidence and someone who is willing to tackle
hard and uncomfortable situations. My faith has become my own and I have continued
to grow stronger in it every year I have been here. This school has had a profound
impact on my entire identity and the direction that I want to take my life.
Blayne Winkler
Major: Biology with a Pre-Professional Emphasis and a Chemistry Minor
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Deans List all four years, Alpha Chi National Honor Society member, President of Kyodai,
Secretary of the STEM Society and York University Singers, Recipient of the EPSCoR
Grant for Research, Co-Founder of the York Disc Golf Team
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Kyodai Social Club, York University Singers, STEM Society, York Disk Golf
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on moving to Omaha, Nebraska where I was accepted into graduate
school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I will work for two years in
a research laboratory to obtain my Masters/PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
During my time at York University, I’ve been able to meet so many wonderful people.
I’ve created friendships that will last forever. I’ve been able to participate in
many different clubs, activities, and events on campus that encouraged me to grow
outside of my comfort zone. I’ve created countless memories and will treasure them
for the rest of my life. York University has played such a big role in my development
as a person, student, Christian, and friend. At the beginning of every school year,
I would reflect on all my experiences and memories of the previous year and ask myself
how these experiences have changed or developed my beliefs. Over the four years, I’ve
learned to be more honest with others around me, lean on my friends during hard times,
be grateful for the chances I’m given, and to fully trust God. If there is one thing
I could’ve told myself freshman year, I would’ve told myself to fully trust in God’s
plan. I know that the future holds many different challenges and opportunities, but
I am confident that I can take on anything with God by my side.
Bryce Winkler
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, voted onto the Homecoming Court
Junior year (2022-23), Dean's List
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Served as Director of Operations of Kyodai for the past 3 years, Vice-President of
the STEM Society this past year, Assistant Director/Resident Assistant of Gibbs for
the past 2 years, and a member of the University Singers for the past 4 years
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to start working full-time as an Internal Auditor at Cornerstone Bank here
in York, Neb.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
My time at York was full of so many fun memories and crazy times. Lots of change came
during my time here but despite these many unexpected changes, the one thing that
never changed was the constant presence of God. Being a part of this faith-based community
at York continues to challenge me and expand my perspectives. The friends, faculty,
and staff that have supported me these past 4 years have changed my life forever.
It will be bitter sweet when graduation comes, but I know that York has blessed me
with a support system that will last a lifetime.
Ms. YU Nominees:
Emily Eggar
Hometown: Wolf Point, MT
Major: Chemistry and Biology with a minor in Mathematics
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
EPSCoR Research Grant, Distinguished Faith and Learning Scholarship, 3rd Place “Impromptu
Speaking” at the 2020 PBL Nationals, Homecoming Court, Theatre Awards, YCM Intern
Scholarship
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Student Government, Ignite Excellence, Senior class representative, STEM Society (since
Connie and I started it in 2021), Choir (3.5) years, Theatre, Children’s Theatre,
York Campus Ministries, Tutoring for the ARC, Science Department Work Study, EPSCoR
Grant
What are your plans after graduation?
This summer I will be moving to Wyoming to prepare for my plans of going to medical
school. As of now, I have not been accepted so I will continue to work in the medical
field to gain experience. Additionally, I will continue to learn the scientific disciplines
to prepare myself for the demands of learning and administering medicine.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
I have grown immensely since coming here to YU. Obviously, I have grown academically,
socially and into a reasonably functional adult, but, I would say I have grown the
most in my spiritual life. Being here has allowed me to grow my own faith that is
distinct from the faith of my family. The struggles that I have experienced here,
academic, physical and personal, have pushed me to grow in my faith. I have also gained
so much confidence in who Emily is as a person, as a student, as a friend and as a
child of God. I have gained so many relationships that have mentored me and have changed
my life for the better.
Grace Gaer
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
I was chosen for homecoming representative my sophomore and junior year. I was nominated
for homecoming queen candidate my senior year. I received best tech crew member for
the theater program in 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 academic years.
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Residence life, student government, social club, choir, and theater.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating from college in December I started working full time at Epworth Village
as a Foster Care Specialist. I will make the transition and begin working in the York
University Admissions office in May.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
When I entered college I was unsure of who I was and who I wanted to be. I believe
that at York University I was seen as a soul first then a student. In that environment
I was able to grow both academically and spiritually to be the follower of Christ
I am.
Maria Geesaman
Hometown: Loveland, Colo.
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Female Athlete of the Year 2022 Cross Country Champion of Character 2022
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Track and Cross Country, FBLA-Collegiate
What are your plans after graduation?
Pursue a career in accounting and a masters degree while assisting Coach Carver as
a graduate assistant.
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
York University has transformed me into a person I never thought I could become. The
faculty and staff have shown me not only how to love and follow christ, but how to
believe in myself and pursue my passions.
Madison Gookin
What honors/awards have you received while at York University?
Alpha Chi Membership, KCAC Academic Excellence, KCAC First Team All Conference - Track
and Field, KCAC Second Team All Conference - Track and Field, KCAC Champion of Character
Award, Beta Beta Sigma Activities Director, Beta Beta Sigma Vice President, Beta Beta
Sigma President, SGA Junior Class Representative, SGA President, Thomas Hall Resident
Assistant, Deans List
What York University activities have you been involved in?
Residence Life, Student Government, Social/Greek Clubs, Work Study, Track and Field
What are your plans after graduation?
Working at Midwest Research as a Research Biologist while finishing my Master's Degree
Reflect back on your time at York University. What has changed? In what ways are
you better?
York University has given me many opportunities to reach people, whether at the school
or through the community of York. I feel that I have grown in my public speaking,
as an advocate for the students, and my overall confidence in myself throughout my
years here at York University. I came here not knowing anyone or anything about York
and I am leaving with many friends, mentors, and memories that I will cherish for
a long time.
