Awards and accolades abounded when faculty, staff and students at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) gathered April 24 for the Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony at the West Plains Civic Center.
The annual event recognizes students for a variety of academic and leadership achievements and serves as the installation service for the new Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president for the upcoming academic year.
Sworn in during the SGA transfer of power ceremony were 2025-2026 SGA President Max Bittle, Houston, and Vice President Michell Robles, West Plains. The officers were sworn in by 2024-2025 SGA President Mo Totty, West Plains.
List of award winners
Several awards were handed out during the event. They include:
- Campus Service Award – Mo Totty, West Plains
- Multicultural/International Leadership Award – Sara Horstman, West Plains
- Outstanding Corps ofOpportunity Award – Kennedy Eckley, Dixon, and Makayla Malone, Salem, Missouri
- First Generation Award – Javian Downey, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty Mentor Award – Dr. Jason McCollom, associate professor of history
- Staff Appreciation Award – Dr. Angela Totty, vice chancellor of student services
- Outstanding Student Employee ofthe Year Award – Sam MacPherson, Mountain Grove
- Outstanding Student Ambassador Award – Lydia Davis, West Plains
- Community Service Award – Tyler Hough, Alton
- Outstanding Resident ofthe Year Award – Jayanna Draper, Lynchburg
- Resident Assistant ofthe Year Award – Sam Stockle, Thayer
- Outstanding Cheer Team Student Athlete ofthe Year – Aubrey Hull, Essex
- Outstanding Volleyball Student Athlete ofthe Year – Gibby Beckler, Phillipsburg
- Outstanding Basketball Student Athlete ofthe Year – Ryan Richardson, Hollywood, Florida
- Outstanding Softball Student Athlete ofthe Year – Hadley Wilson, Kennett
- Outstanding Baseball Student Athlete ofthe Year – Keaton Ford, Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Outstanding Rodeo Student Athlete ofthe Year – Koby Usmar, Farson, Wyoming
- Outstanding Esports Athlete ofthe Year – Sara Horstman, West Plains
- Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Award – Jordyn Belle Sigman, West Plains
- Outstanding Student Leader Award – Abby Mulnik, Branson
Photos of all the winners can be found in the 2025 Celebration of Leaders photo album on the MSU-WP Facebook page, Facebook.com/MissouriStateWP.