On May 1 the Student Leadership Council and The Office of Student Life and Leadership presented the Student Leadership Awards to outstanding PVCC students at the Annual Student Recognition Celebration. Five Puma student-athletes were among those recognized at this year's celebration.
Puma Paw Student Leader Awards were bestowed upon two freshmen (one male/one female) student-athletes and two sophomore (one male/one female) student-athletes. The Student Leader Award is reserved for students who demonstrate superior college and/or community involvement.
Freshmen Student-Athlete of the Year: Keira Damron (Cross Country and Track & Field) and Preston Parsons (Soccer and Track & Field).
Damron
Major: Education
2023-2024: 5th place overall at NJCAA Cross Country National Championships, 1st Team All-American, Member of 3rd place Team at NJCAA Cross Country National Championships. 11th Place at NJCAA Indoor National Championships in the 3,000m. Qualified for NJCAA Outdoor Nationals in 1500m and 5000m. On track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete & NJCAA Academic Award nominee
Parsons
Major: Engineering
2023-2024: Member of PVCC Men's Soccer Team. Qualified for NJCAA Outdoor National Championships in the Javelin. On track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete & NJCAA Academic Award nominee
Sophomore Student-Athlete of the Year: Natalie Esparza (Tennis) and Cole Dickson (Baseball).
Esparza
Major: Nursing
2021-2022: Qualified for the NJCAA Women's Tennis National Tournament. Puma Scholar-Athlete
2022-2023: Redshirt
2023-2024: Qualified for the NJCAA Women's Tennis National Tournament.
On track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete & NJCAA Academic Award nominee
Dickson
Major: Business
2021-2022: Redshirt, Puma Scholar-Athlete
2022-2023: Graduated from PVCC with Associate in Business, 2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic, Puma Scholar-Athlete
2022-2023: Earning second degree from PVCC, has 2 wins and 25 strike outs in 13 appearances this season. On track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete & NJCAA Academic Award nominee
Congratulations to our outstanding Puma student-athletes!
