2015-2016 Student Excellence Award Winners

(left to right) Lane Urick, Shana Henry, Garrett DeMers, Rachelle Bennett, Phillip Quinn, Kyla McNamara, Kilby "KJ" Rech, Andrew Potter, Scotti Ramberg, and Matt McKeen

Rachelle Bennett will be graduating with a degree in elementary education and minors in reading and art after she completes her student teaching in Helena this fall. She hopes to teach 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade but will be happy with any grade level to begin her career. Bennett wants to earn her master's degree in administration, as she would like to become a principal within the next five to ten years of her career. In the meantime, she plans on coaching high school girls' basketball, sharing her passion for the game with others. She is the daughter of Colette LeMieux.

Hunter Chandler graduates in May with a degree in health and physical education. Chandler plans to become a full-time teacher and coach in Montana. He would like to coach football, wrestling, and track throughout the school year. Chandler hopes to inspire his students and athletes to excel in all facets of life. Inspired by his former wrestling coach, Nate Laslovich, and a teacher/coach at Bozeman High School, Chandler decided to pursue a similar life path. He hopes one day to have a similar impact in kids' lives. Chandler's parents are Scott Chandler and Kim Lee.

Garrett DeMers is two-time NAIA All-American, Academic All-American and team captain of the Lights Wrestling team. DeMers will receive his degree in business administration with a minor in small business management this May. He plans to work for an established, ethical, and socially responsible company that promotes employee advancement and growth. His spouse is Brittany Schoening.

Shana Henry plans to teach on or near the Rocky Boy Reservation when she completes her elementary education degree in May 2017. After teaching for a while, she would like to return to Northern for a master's in counseling. Henry would love to teach at Stone Child College within the education department. Her third goal is to earn a doctorate in education so she can show other women or people from her reservation that achieving a quality education is possible, no matter where you come from. Believing everyone should be afforded the opportunity to read and write, her ultimate goal is to give back to her people in the form of education.

Matt McKeen will graduate in May with a degree in health and physical education. McKeen's goals after graduation are to obtain a full-time health and physical education position which utilizes his academic and life experiences. He also hopes to obtain a football coaching position where he can create the balance between winning and education. He is the son of Lorraine and Tim McKeen.

Kyla McNamara plans to graduate in May of 2017 with a degree in agricultural operations technology and a minor in small business management. After graduation, she wants to pursue a master's degree in soil science or pathology/entomology. Until then, she hopes to find a hands-on job where she can learn and gain more experience in agriculture. Eventually, McNamara plans to have her own farming operation to make her own waves in agriculture. She would like to stay in Montana, as this is a hub of agricultural opportunities.

Andrew Potter is graduating this summer with a degree in health promotion. He has played an active role during his time at Northern. He spent two years on the Student Senate and was the Student Body president his sophomore year. He was also instrumental in starting the dance club and was an Academic All-Conference member of the cross country team. He plans to continue his education so he can become a nurse with a specialty in trauma. After a few years of experience, Potter would like to work as a traveling nurse and then help on Mercy Ships, who bring surgical care to needy people all around the world. He is the son of Belinda and Jim Potter.

Kilby "KJ" Rech has been the co-captain of the Lights Basketball team for two years and plans to graduate in December 2016 with a degree in health promotion. Rech has volunteered throughout his college career and was the Trapper Award for Excellence recipient. This award is given out to a student who exemplifies hard work in athletics, in the classroom, and in the community. He is the son of Callie and Clint Rech.

Lane Urick will be graduating in May of 2017 majoring in civil engineering technology. After graduation, Urick plans to join the Sea Bees, which is the construction branch, of the Navy. Urick wants to gain real life experience and other skills taught by the Navy. He plans to continue his education by getting a master's degree in an engineering field after his time with the Navy and eventually his doctorate in an engineering field. After completing his master's or doctorate, he wants to become an instructor and pass on his knowledge to the younger generations through teaching and, hopefully, coaching. He is the son of Debbie and Joe Urick.

Phillip Quinn is in the Masters of Education, Counselor Education Program and will be graduating this May. Quinn's primary goal is to acquire licensure as a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). His plan is to practice outpatient therapy until he reaches his required 3,000 hours. Quinn hopes to have an outpatient practice of his own working with children, families, and adults. Prior to this phase of life, Quinn wants to continue advancing his career with his current employer developing his therapy skills, quality of service, and moving into a supervisory role. This will allow more clinical training of others, and he will be able to share his skills and knowledge garnered through his education and experience. In the next few years, he hopes to pursue his doctorate in counseling psychology. He is married to Tiffany Quinn.