On April 30 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.
This year, Puma Athletics had the honor of recognizing Keira Damron (Cross Country and Track & Field) as the Golden Puma recipient. The Golden Puma Distinguished Student Leadership Award, the highest bestowed upon PVCC students annually, recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as leadership, athletics, community service, fine and performing arts, entrepreneurship and career achievement.
Keira Damron is a 2023 graduate of Shadow Mountain High School. She came to PVCC in the Fall 2023 to join the Puma Cross Country and Track & Field programs.
During her freshman year, Keira helped lead the 2023 Puma Women's Cross Country team to their first Region I Championship since 2008, where she placed 3rd individually and was named 1st Team All-Region. At the 2023 NJCAA Cross Country National Championships, Keira led the Pumas to a third-place finish, their highest finish since 2005. Keira was the Pumas top finisher, placing 5th overall and earning NJCAA 1st Team All-American honors. Keira continued her success on the track, finishing 6th at the NJCAA Indoor National Championships in the 4x800m Relay, earning her USTFCCCAA All-American Honors.
Keira also excelled in the classroom, earning NJCAA 1st Team All-Academic Honors and being named to the PVCC President's Honor Roll and a Puma Scholar Athlete.
Keira's Sophomore year has been even more successful. She was the Region I, Division II Individual Champion and was named 1st Team All-Region. At the 2024 NJCAA Cross Country National Championships, Keira led the Pumas to a second-place team finish, their highest finish since last winning the title in 2004. Keira was again the Pumas top finisher, placing 4th overall, and again earning NJCAA 1st Team All-American honors. She set the school record in the 5,000m at the Leopard Invitational in La Verne, CA with a time of 17:23.93. She qualified for three events at the NJCAA Outdoor National Championships (4x800m Relay, 1500m and 5,000m) which will take place May 15-17 in Hutchinson, KS.
Keira is continuing her academic success this year. She is currently on track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete again as well as an NJCAA All-Academic Nominee.
Keira will be graduating from PVCC at the end of this Spring semester with her Associates in Arts in Secondary Education. She is planning on transferring to a four-year institution next year to continue running and to pursue her bachelor's degree.
Congratulations Keira!
