Several hundred students, family members and friends attended the 51st Annual Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon Campus Honors Reception held at McIntyre Hall on May 1. The event honored outstanding students in academic and professional/technical programs with awards and scholarships.

The distinguished Lewis Award was presented to sophomore Peter Johnston of Bellingham. Currently, Peter Johnston serves as the vice president of the ASSVC student government. In that role, he has been a champion for students related to the construction of the new campus center building, sustainability issues, student parking and international student involvement.

Before coming to SVC, Johnston lived in New York where he pursued his artistic interests in the fashion industry. Peter is known as a high performing student, a compassionate leader and a dedicated student advocate.

When he completes his studies at SVC, Peter will pursue a pre-med degree at Western Washington University and ultimately plans to become a physician.

Other Lewis Award nominees were Gladys Chiu of Mount Vernon, C. Matthew Hanson of Oak Harbor and Garrett Kelley of Anacortes.

The 1956 sophomore class of Skagit Valley Junior College established the annual Charles H. Lewis Memorial Award for a graduating sophomore who attended SVC at least one full academic year. The recipient is chosen for exemplifying the qualities of Charles H. Lewis, the first Dean of Students and a teacher at SVC for 28 years.

President’s Medals were awarded to 15 Mount Vernon Campus students based on their outstanding academic achievement. They included William Ashe, Sedro-Woolley; Connie Crane, Mount Vernon; Desiree’ Elder, Sedro-Woolley; Derrick Gallard, Mount Vernon; Alicia Gleason, Mount Venron; Christine Greenlaw, Mount Vernon; April Grossruck, Camano Island; Tristin Hewett, Burlington; Bona Hong, Mount Vernon; Douglas Millison, Arlington; Ursula Schroepfer, Camano Island; Michael Sargent, Mount Vernon; Carol Scott, Stanwood; April Gail Trelan, Burlington; and Elizabeth Wellner, Mount Vernon. To qualify for this award, each recipient must be a graduating sophomore, have a grade-point average of 3.9 or higher and have attended SVC for at least three quarters.