Jewell’s 2026 Celebration of Honors was held on Apr. 24, 2026. It honored over 150 students who demonstrated excellence in various academic departments or showed leadership through service. The Faculty Award, the highest distinction William Jewell College offers to a graduating senior, was awarded to Lianna Morelli.

Other awards presented at the Celebration of Honors include the following. (Note: names are included here as presented in the program and may not reflect students’ preferred names or nicknames.)

Analytical Sciences

Engineering

Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering: Drew T. Caudle

Mathematics

George A. Ross Mathematics Award (senior mathematics majors with the highest academic record in mathematics): Timothy G. Fay, Korbin W. Pugh

Physics

James R. Eaton Memorial Award (for achievement as a sophomore or junior physics major): Lucas Murcia Dominguez

C. D. Geilker Award (for achievement in the general physics course for a student majoring in physics, physics education, or dual-degree engineering): Miranda K. Menousek

John E. Davis Sigma Pi Sigma Award (for a rising senior physics major with the highest level of achievement in physics): Simon G. Lyon

Outstanding Senior Physics Major Award: Luxanna S. Sands

Behavioral, Natural, and Health Sciences

Biology

Dr. Burdette L. Wagenknecht Award (for an outstanding first-year biology major): Olivia L. Allen

Charles F. J. Newlon Award (for an outstanding sophomore biology major): Dilly R. Davies

Monte Harmon Award (for an outstanding junior biology major): Samantha J. Han

Dr. Burnell Landers Award (for an outstanding senior biology major): Javier Ortiz-Merino

Dr. Judith A. Dilts Award (for an outstanding junior or senior biology major): Madeline E. Hanna

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Outstanding First-Years in Chemistry or Biochemistry: Miles C. Heckadon, Lorelai F. Walker

James R. Eaton Memorial Award (for achievement as a chemistry major): Kennadie G. Sheppard, Walton R. Schenk, Zakary E. Wenger

Frank H. Fristoe Award (for achievement in chemistry): Maci M. Mayfield, Avery N. Reynolds, Marina S. Wilson

Outstanding Seniors in Chemistry or Biochemistry: Irene J. Taboada, Brayden S. Thomas

Nursing

Award for Compassion (BSN): Kaitlyn L. Tait, Kennedy K. Wyatt (AT)

Award for Scholarship (BSN): Meghan M. Wilson, Jasmine McDonald (AT)

Anne Bax Ozbolt Award for Servant Leadership: Jessica Stout

Mary Grant Seacole Award for Service: Adalena Shiddell

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (BSN): Lauren E. Flickinger, Allison M. McIntyre (AT)

Outstanding Nursing Student Award (BSN): Marigrace Angelica B. Larson, Dillon Thiele (AT)

Dr. Leesa A. McBroom Spirit of Nursing Award: Ashley L. Brown

Psychological Science

Premier Graduates in Psychological Science: Paige Hefley, Erin E. Wenzel

Distinguished Graduates in Psychological Science: Lianna E. Morelli, Aimee Núñoz

Business, Communication, and Education

Business and Leadership

Hastings L. Schies Memorial Award (to a junior or senior female student majoring in business administration or finance who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement): Allison M. Welter

Walter J. Stark Award (for development in business studies): Jace D. Walker

Boatwright Economics Leadership Scholar: Xavier M. Winston

Otis and Florence Miller Academic Award (to a senior graduating with the highest GPA in accounting, business, or economics): Victoria M. Jones

Accounting Faculty Award: Victoria M. Jones

Business Faculty Award (for the outstanding senior in business administration): Riley M. Richardson

Economics Faculty Award (for the outstanding senior in economics): Jordan M. Barger

E. Anne Earnest Nonprofit Leadership Award (for the outstanding senior in nonprofit leadership): Jordan L. Riley

Communication

Award for Internship Excellence: Patrick M. Terry, Antony J. Vanderbeek

Digital Media Communication Outstanding Senior Award: Sara A. Hartmann

Outstanding Senior Debater Award: Patrick M. Terry

The Kim and Lois Anne Harris Department of Communication Outstanding Senior Award: Emilie M. Bartlett

Education

Chad Garrison “Reach Out and Touch Someone” Award (to an education major who has demonstrated sensitivity and compassion for others through volunteer service): Sadie L. Camp

Lutie Chiles Elementary Education Award (to an outstanding sophomore in elementary education): Aneesia Y Shalabi

Ida Coffman Education Award (to an outstanding junior in elementary education): Ella G. Robinson

Outstanding Junior in Secondary Education: Brenna K. Hamilton

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Teacher: Kassidy A. Schmidt

Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher: Michelle M. Johnston

Humanities, Social Sciences, and Music

English

Pinkerton-Rick Award (an English major entering the senior year who has contributed most to the English Department in exhibiting interest, helpfulness to others, creative thinking, and competent writing skills): Kariss E. Johnson

Outstanding Senior in the English Major Award: Ivan V. Calderon

History

Kenneth Chatlos Award (for best capstone essay in the Department of History): Kandace-Rose A. Gill

U.R. Pugh Memorial Award (for achievement as a history major): Rane C. Rynard

Languages

Outstanding Major in Spanish (for a Spanish major with a record of excellence): Morgan A. Mayo

Outstanding Minor in Spanish (for a Spanish minor with a record of excellence): Lucas R. Linder

Music

Ida and Maybelle Glenn Music Award (for outstanding achievement to someone preparing to teach music): Payten Elaine Davis

Edward Lakin Music Theory Award (student with the highest GPA in the first year of music theory courses): Alyssa J. Hoffman

Linda L. Thomssen String Award (for an outstanding string player): Matthew A. Gass

The Wes and Ginger Forbis Award (for rising seniors in music): Mason M. Allenbaugh, Payten Elaine Davis, H. William Speck

The Dean Wilder Voice Award (for music majors with special consideration for students who study or participate in vocal performance and who demonstrate leadership qualities): Ivan V. Calderon, Prince-Russell C. Johnson

Liberty Symphony Orchestra Collegiate Artist Competition (winners of this annual competition perform a solo with the Liberty Symphony Orchestra): Kaylen A. Fears, Bryson J. Gates, Chèrisse A. Lubbers

Political Science

Outstanding First-Year Student in Political Science: Anna M. Daughtry

Outstanding Sophomores in Political Science: Aidan T. Carter, Alyssa B. Engle

Outstanding Junior in Political Science: Andrew J. Allen

Outstanding Seniors in Political Science: Elliot M. Labeth, Ethan E. Naber

Dr. Will Adams Award (for an outstanding political science major): Zoe G. Ralston

Pi Sigma Alpha – Matthew Oliver Senior Scholar Award: Owen M. Kerrigan

Theatre

Austin Cooper Edwards Acting Awards (peer-voted award for strongest performers of the Jewell Theatre Company season): Ivan V. Calderon, Emma Kelly

Virginia D. Rice Award (for excellence in theatre throughout the year): Lianna E. Morelli

Kim Harris Golden Hammer Award (for excellence in technical theatre): Kendall M. Robbins

Alpha Psi Omega Key Award (for four years of service to Jewell Theatre Company): Ivan V. Calderon

Richard L. Harriman Theatre Award (established in 1994 by the Fine Arts Guild for outstanding theatre students): Kathryn L. Calcara, Brenna K. Hamilton

Student Publication Awards

The Hilltop Monitor

The Hilltop Monitor Newcomer Award: Simone M. Collins

The Hilltop Monitor Community Outreach and Engagement Awards: Alesia M. Dickey, Matthew J. Parker

The Hilltop Monitor Editorial Leadership Award: Ethan E. Naber

Special Honors

Graduating with Honors

Graduating with Honors in Psychological Science: Kelsey Coleman, Lianna E. Morelli

Graduating with Honors in Philosophy: Matthew J. Parker

Graduating with Honors in Mathematics: Korbin W. Pugh

Honors Institute in Critical Thinking Fellows

Simone M. Collins, Lauren E. Flickinger, Lily Frazier, Megan J. Giffin, John W. Jenkins, Ian Lewis, Molly J. McBratney, Jace D. Walker, Erin E. Wenzel, Annalyse Yoder

Pryor Leadership Fellows

Madison L. Atwood, Clifford Brandt, Lily Frazier, Megan J. Giffin, Jocelyn P. Hayes, Kevin Madrid Rodriguez, Anthony J. Vanderbeek, Erin E. Wenzel, Mya Zavala

Oxbridge Honors Program

Grace E. Allen, Ariel Chen, Jonathan Fang, Lila Frazier, Kandace-Rose A. Gill, Ethan E. Naber, Matthew J. Parker, Kaleah Petersen, Jacqueline Quach, Ryleigh Sallinger

Mortar Board

Grace E. Allen, Clifford Brandt, Hadley Fletchall, Riley E. Frasure-Smith, Kaitlyn Hodkins, Connor Hull, Liliana M. Jackson, John W. Jenkins, Landis Johnson, Owen M. Kerrigan, Sara Madsen, Morgan A. Mayo, Molly J. McBratney, Jacqueline Quach, Rane Rynard, Adalena Shiddell, Irene J. Taboada, Dylan F. Tighe, Erin E. Wenzel, Mya Zavala

Phi Epsilon Honor Society

Grace E. Allen, Kailynn R. Byrne, Ivan V. Calderon, Lauren E. Flickinger, Riley E. Frasure-Smith, Megan J. Giffin, Sara A. Hartmann, Paige Hefley, John W. Jenkins, Victoria M. Jones, Eliott Labeth, Lianna E. Morelli, Zachary Nichols, Hayley E. O’Keefe, Riley M. Richardson, Jordan L. Riley, Irene J. Taboada, Brayden S. Thomas, Laura Torres Arroyo, Erin E. Wenzel

The Faculty Award

The Faculty Award is the most significant distinction awarded to a graduating senior. Finalists are selected from those students who have spent at least three years in residence at William Jewell College and who have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. The winner is selected by a faculty committee on the basis of academic achievement and exemplification of the highest ideals of a liberal arts education.

Finalists were asked to address the following question: “Given your experience at William Jewell College, how do you understand the relationship between critical thinking, community, and the pursuit of a meaningful life?”

Faculty Award Finalists

Grace E. Allen, Derrick Ampofo, Clifford Brandt, Ivan V. Calderon, Lianna E. Morelli

This year’s finalists are:

Photos were provided by finalists as part of the application process, and provided to the Hilltop Monitor by the Marketing Department.

Allen, Ampofo, and Brandt all intend to continue to medical school after their time at Jewell. Calderon plans to work as a teaching artist in Kansas City, and Morelli will take a gap year before pursuing a Ph.D in clinical psychology.

The winner of the Faculty Award will be announced at the annual Celebration of Honors, held at 7 p.m. in Gano Chapel on Apr. 24, 2026.

What was your favorite song or dance from the show?

Ivan Calderon (Musidorus/Cleophila): “We didn’t play the full song in the show, but ‘Lust to Love’ is hands-down my favorite song. […] In the show, we get to add fight choreography to it, so it’s epic, it’s so much fun. Every time, I remember leaving—especially during tech week—leaving rehearsals just blasting ‘Lust to Love’ on repeat… That was my anthem throughout the week.”

Lianna Morelli (Mopsa): “My favorite song is probably ‘Automatic Rainy Day.’ My favorite dance, though, was the dance we did in “Head Over Heels,” which was the opening to Act 2. I just had a really good time with it.”

Cal Perkins (Dametas): “I have to say I’m torn between two. ‘Here You Are’ is my favorite song for sure. I just love the different harmonies and just the lyricism that’s beautiful with the actual motion. It’s tied with ‘Vision of Nowness’ for sure. I didn’t really get to dance in that, but it was so hard not to sing during it because that’s my favorite Go-Go’s song for sure.”

Who was your favorite character?

Calderon: “Standouts for me would be Basilius [played by Marquis Williams] and Pamela [played by Emma Kelly]. I like both of them a lot. For me, just being a scene partner, particularly with Emma, who played Pamela. Getting to witness the sass sometimes led me to almost breaking [character] on stage.”

Morelli: “Honestly, I just think [Queen] Gynecia [played by Kassidy Schmidt] is a badass. She put up with being cheated on for a really long time, and I love her character arc, and I love that she gets to take over the kingdom at the end.”

Perkins: “Basilius is definitely one of my favorite [characters]… Just being able to be on stage with Marquis and kinda just being there for the journey [that Basilius goes on] […] It’s just so fun to experience. I would honestly say I really do love Mopsa as a character. This is maybe the Demetas in me talking. [She’s] such a strong character and she is the more serious of [Mopsa and Pamela], but then again, she speaks to woodland animals. I mean, that’s baller, so I just love her character. She’s so fun.”

How did you handle playing a character that was less accepting of queer identity than you?

Perkins: “When I got cast [as Demetas], I was like, ‘Okay, this will be a change,’ and then realizing that he becomes an ally at the end was relieving, honestly. Aside from that, I have a lot of my family [that] doesn’t want to touch anything LGBTQ+ or anything of that sort. So I kind of had to think about what [my family] would think and what Demetas’s journey has been. It was a little interesting as someone who is trans/genderfluid, being on a stage and trying to play a cisgender man who exiled his partner and is realizing that his daughter is lesbian. The character arc was so interesting to play with and think about.”

What did you enjoy about the queer aspects of your characters?

Morelli: “Mopsa explores more of the sexuality part than the gender side of [queer identity].  It was interesting for me to try and find where Mopsa is in trying to get Pamela to have [the] realization [that she is a lesbian] because you see it throughout the show. Especially in the poetry scene, Pamela’s very close to realizing what it is that she wants. And Mopsa says, ‘You’re so close, you’re right there,’ and the whole time she’s trying to do it without being too pushy.”

Calderon: “I like how Musidorus subverted the trope of the heroic journey. He doesn’t really have the means to be a knight or a warrior or a hero of any standard means, but then he is bestowed this power [that we see in the fight scenes]. [Playing Musidorus] allowed me to not feel restricted on stage to any extent… as an actor, I just had a lot of fun on stage being confident in my body and myself and doing my thing.”

What do you hope audiences take away from the production?

Emma Kelly (Pamela): “The message I wanted to give is to be seen. I want people like this [i.e., queer people] to be seen. Pamela from the beginning—she loves herself, but she doesn’t know what else she loves. There’s clearly something missing, and I think there’s a lot of people out there that struggle with knowing that there’s something different but [not quite knowing] how to articulate it. […] A lot of times, people don’t know these relationships [exist] because they don’t actively see them… But a show like this is making people see [queer relationships] and hear about [them] in a way that is palatable—in a way that is understanding.”

Marquis Williams (Basilius): “Breaking traditions and change can benefit everything. Basilius is such a man of tradition. And the reasons why he made the decisions he made was that he felt threatened. He’s like, ‘I can run the kingdom.’ And that was in the beginning. But once he decided to accept change, that’s when everything ended [better than it was initially]. Change breaks traditions and breaks boundaries.”

Calderon: “I really wanted people to find entertainment from this [production]. […] Of course, we want our audience to enjoy themselves because then there’s that feedback and energy where we raise the state [of the show] or raise the energy as well. People who haven’t seen this kind of media before aren’t really used to seeing queer representation on stage. [Those people will] just find enjoyment in seeing it. […] To some extent, even though maybe there are some aspects where older audiences or more conservative audiences won’t really agree with certain aspects of the show, at least they’ll connect with it, which will allow that representation to be seen as good entertainment as well, but also in a way that’s done correctly and thoughtfully and meaningfully.”

Morelli: “There’s a line in the show that says, ‘No true paradise remains in place forever.’ I think that sums up what I want people to take from the show. […] Things change and things happen and you have to be accepting of that change. As people are discovering who they are, as people come out, as people make these self-discoveries, it’s so important for the people around them to just be there and be accepting and be loving and kind with the way they interact and they speak to them, no matter what they think about it. It’s good. Change can be good. Change encourages progress. And I think that to create the truest paradise we just have to be accepting.”

Concluding Thoughts

Jewell Theatre Company’s “Head Over Heels” was a breath of fresh air. The cast placed significant emphasis on queer representation in the show; seeing queer people and relationships in media is crucial to build a more accepting future. Plus, the company’s “Head Over Heels” production was good theater. I cannot wait to see what JTCo comes up with next! 

To see more performances from Jewell’s Department of Performing Arts, check the Department’s performance calendar here. You can also follow @jewelltheaterco on Instagram.