Every day, Ravil demonstrates a genuine willingness to help fellow students, offering guidance with sincerity and humility."

Ellen Pinto Finalists

Joanna Hernandez

After graduating from TCC with an Associate of Business degree this spring, Joanna Hernandez plans to transfer to the University of Washington Seattle, pursue her Bachelor’s degree in accounting, and become a CPA.

At TCC, Joanna serves as a Peer Advisor. She is also one of the college’s most popular Outreach tour guides, welcoming prospective students to campus and guiding them through their first steps at TCC. A vocal advocate for the rights of Latinx individuals, she provides spontaneous translation services, both on the job and in her classes. Joanna makes it her mission to ensure that everyone around her feels included and supported.

“Joanna’s warmth and genuine kindness have endeared her to everyone she interacts with,” her nomination states.

Mollie Kuwahara

Mollie Kuwahara spent half of her life battling a debilitating opiate addiction and alcoholism. In the last few years Mollie was able to get and stay sober, and she attributes her dedication to education and TCC specifically as a driving reason for sobriety. Mollie works with non-profits whose goal is to educate Western Washington professionals on what alcoholism and addiction is and where their patients/clients/employees can receive help.

Mollie was a member of the 2023-2024 ASTCC Student Government Executive Team. She used her position to lift up TCC student’s voices and needs, and regularly presenting to college 101 and political science classes on the importance of civic engagement and student engagement on campus at TCC.

Mollie went above and beyond by bringing TCC student’s needs and voices to the Washington State Legislature. She encouraged eleven TCC students to deliver virtual, in-person, and written testimony that advocated for higher education policy in Washington.

Mollie was able to speak about her own personal experiences with opiate addiction and overdose testifying for House Bill 2112, a bill that has passed which funds opiate education and Narcan supplies on all public Washington higher education campuses. Mollie not only shared her personal experiences with overdose, but she was able to highlight TCC as an institution leading the way in overdose prevention. TCC’s Campus Safety department has already laid the groundwork for TCC to have every building on campus stocked with this lifesaving medication.

Mollie saw the importance of student involvement at the Washington State Legislature and petitioned the Service and Activates Fee Committee to allocate funding for a new paid TCC student position: TCC Student Legislative Liaison.

Mollie leaves student government at the end of this year but plans on staying involved on campus as the PTK President and an ASTCC Student Senator while she finishes her Associate’s in Chemical Engineering.

According to Mollie’s nomination, she has been “a beacon of consistency in a year of change in the office of student engagement.”  

Isaiah Tagaleoo

Isaiah Tagaleoo is graduating this spring with an Associate of Music degree. He will transfer to North Carolina A&T, where he plans to major in music education and fulfill his dream of learning the HBCU marching style and bringing it back to Washington.

The faculty member who nominated Isaiah describes him as “a shining student in our music department.” His talents have been especially appreciated in Symphonic Band, where he plays the saxophone.

“One of the most wonderful traits of Isaiah is his warm personality,” the nomination reads. “He has made many friends and connections on campus with his friendly disposition and easy-going nature. He is very fun to talk to and has a wonderful sense of curiosity about his learning and music goals.”

According to his nomination, Isaiah’s growth as a musician since his arrival at TCC has been stunning.

“He has developed technical control, a beautiful tone, and an advanced sense of artistry – in just two years! I have rarely seen such incredible growth in a student, and am so proud of how Isaiah’s hard work is helping him reach his goals.”  

 

Ellen Pinto Scholar of the Year

Ravil Sharafutdinov

A political refugee himself, Ravil Sharafutdinov has used his role as Workforce Office Assistant to advocate for members of the Ukrainian and Russian communities at TCC, assisting them with applications and providing translation services. While navigating a new culture and language, Ravil manages a full load of Paralegal classes, raises his children, and is active in his church and his community.

Ravil plans to get a law degree from the University of Washington. He aspires to work in immigration law, helping to navigate the legal complexities immigrants face while seeking refugee status.

“Ravil’s contributions to TCC go beyond his bilingual skills and outstanding academic performance,” his nomination reads. “His positive attitude is strongly connected to his positive impact on campus. Every day, Ravil demonstrates a genuine willingness to help fellow students, offering guidance with sincerity and humility.”

Another nominator noted that Ravil has been an ambassador for TCC in the Russian/Ukranian immigrant community, and that he has already begun applying what he’s learned from the Paralegal program to help community members with their immigration issues.

“As a paralegal student, he is using his knowledge of the immigration system and his education to help people navigate the systems and to make educated decisions,” the nomination reads. “His ultimate goal is to become a lawyer and I have no doubt that he will continue to excel and make meaningful contributions, fighting for social justice, wherever his academic and professional journey leads.” 

 

All-Washington Scholars 

TCC's All-Washington scholars for 2024 are Paula Amores and John Plinka. Read their stories here! 

Paula Amores. 

John Plinka. 

 

Titan Athletics Athletes of the Year

Volleyball player Asuka Shibue and Baseball player Jeramiah Crain are the Titan Athetics Athetes of the Year. Learn more about Titan Athletics! 

Asuka Shibue 

Jeramiah Crain

Departmental Awards 

Every year, TCC departments nominate students for the Departmental Student Awards. These are the honorees for 2024. 

Lian Banal

 

Kailey Lawless

 

Jason Shattuck

 

Lance Le

 

 

Randy Phillips

 

Muhammed “Auddry” Herasbudi

 

Madison Ice

 

Paulette Juarez

Gwyndolin Vaziliev

 

Nicole Wilson

Celina Snyder

 

Theo Davis

 

Percy Zizak

 

Krisy Rachal

Sara Taplin

 

Caleb Deboer

Johanna Romo Avelar

 

Fredis “Junior” Marinez

 

Maria Maxey

Fanny Ruiz Zuno

 

Jason Shattuck

 

Hailey Thompson

 

Jasmine West

 

Erin McGill

 

Kyle Wittcoff

 

Timothy Shea

 

Madison Davies

 

Christopher Cassell

 

James Jones

 

Randy Tauyan

Farhood Mavadatnia

 

Genward “George” Hwang

Abbigale Woodcock

 

Erwin Ragel

Sierra Biondi

Erwin Rommel

Lara Ocampo

 

Daniella Burungi

Athiwat “Mix” Chotrapeepirom

Elena Tran

 

Krisy Rachal

Sarah Barnhart

 

Fanny Ruiz Zuno

Dominique Johnson

Lynnzee Dennison

 

Ismael Diop

 

Isaac Evaniew

Alvaro “Chino” Rubio

Joey Pereira

Daylina Wilson

Nic Ferencko

 

Richard Lowery

 

Crystal Isabell

Bronti Lemke

 

Geoff Cole

Madison Davies

 

Rithsothyra Sokim

Aru Moore

 

Joanna Hernandez

Claire Ensunsa

 

Mario Gonzalez

 

Jennifer Wells

 

Uma Tarawally

Ahmad Jenkins

Davis Mugisha

Asuka Shibue

Krisy Rachal

Daniella Burungi

Gamuchirayi Chitsuwa

Bayan Farrah

Kieran Hawthorne

Lian Banal

Mollie Kuwahara

Marvin Cullanay

Randy Phillips