Thanks for the Good Times

YC Celebrates With End of Year Banquet

It was an evening of celebration as York College held its annual All-College Banquet Tuesday night at the Holthus Convention Center in York. The student body gathered with faculty and staff for a night of reflection, recognition, and fellowship. Several awards were presented, including Mr. and Ms. York College. 


Photo Gallery

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Asa Coppinger and Adrianna Sotolongo were named Mr. and Ms. YC 2019. YC faculty and staff make the selection for this award from among graduating seniors. Candidates embody a commitment to the mission, purpose and core values of York College. They must be 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. 

Asa Coppinger is a business communications major from York, Neb. He has been a part of the men’s soccer team, choir, Sigma Tau, Songfest, Celebration Singers, residence hall staff, and traveled camps for YC. He was a recipient of the PHD award, reserve soccer team MVP, Dean’s List, Sertoma Award, C3 Character award, and NAIA Daktronics award. He was a Songfest rep, Songfest host, Social Club president, and on the 2018 homecoming court. After graduation, Asa has plans to pursue his passion for videography.

​Looking back at his years at York College, Asa said, “I have matured in my actions and the way I treat other people. I have learned what a community should look like and what it means to love everyone unconditionally. And I have made lifelong friends with whom I will share memories until the day I die. I would like to thank York College for a positive impact on my life. I definitely made the right choice on where to attend college.”

Adrianna Sotolongo is a criminal justice major from Fontana, Calif. During her time at York College, she has been involved in choir, Delta Chi Alpha, Celebration Singers, dance team, Campus PR Squad, student government, Songfest, theatre, and was a counselor for both Presidential Leadership Institute and Soul Quest. After helping her club to victory last year as a Songfest rep, Dri served as a Songfest hostess in 2019.  She has been the recipient of the Sertoma Award for her participation on the dance team. After graduation, Dri will travel to Vienna for a study abroad experience, and then will be working in York.

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Reflecting on her time at YC, Adrianna states “A LOT has changed. I not only grew spiritually, but I also grew to be a more independent and confident woman. If you would have told me four years ago that I would be on the dance team, a part of the choir, a social club president, as well as a songfest hostess, I wouldn't believe you because Freshman Dri was scared to even talk to people. I am glad I can say I've tried almost (if not) everything while here at YC. Thank you to those who were my support system and were ALWAYS willing to help me with anything and everything. Thank you, YC, for being my new home when I needed one.”

​​Molly Little and Carter Price were honored as Student Athletes of the Year. This award is presented by Athletic Director Matt Madole to one male and one female athlete for their academic achievement as well as their leadership and service roles on their athletic teams. Little, a business management major from Billings, Mont., led the volleyball team in kills for the year, has represented YC at nationals in track, and was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Price, a biology major from Rapid City, SD, has set multiple school records as a sprinter on the track team and is an NAIA All-American and NCCAA All-American.

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Aleshia O'Neal, assistant professor of English, was voted by students as the 2019 Faculty Member of the Year. Leo Miller, who has been an integral part of the library staff for many years, was voted Staff Member of the Year. Trent Hinton, director of athletic operations, was given the David and Nellie Reppart Award for Service.

Recognized for their years of service to York College were: Emily Lutz (5 years); Laurie Briggs and Nick DiToro (10 years); Trent Hinton, Dr. Billy Lones, Christi Lones, and Brian Walth (15 years); Bob DeHart, Bob Gaver, and Chad Karcher (20 years); Leo Miller (25 years); Ruth Carlock (30 years); and Dr. L. Ray Miller (35 years).

Social clubs were also presented with year-end awards. Academic Excellence Award went to Delta Chi Alpha and Kyodai; Community Service Award to Theta Psi and Sigma Tau; Big Heart Award to Delta Chi Alpha and Kyodai; and the All-Sports Award was a tie between Delta Chi Alpha/Kyodai and Theta Psi/Sig Tau.

​Mr. and Ms. YC candidates (above 1st row) Shania Brown, special education and elementary education major from Chappell, Neb., Dri Sotolongo, criminal justice major from Fontana, Calif., Courtney Gibbs, accounting major from Edmond, Okla., Dylan Odom, business major with an emphasis in sports management from York, Neb.; (2nd row) Trevor Lenear, special education major from Bellevue, Neb., Colby Smith, vocal music education and vocal performance major from Elgin, Iowa, and Asa Coppinger, business communications major from York, Neb. Not pictured: Clay Lube, a sports management major from Lincoln, Neb.

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