Briana Ames, 19, was awarded the “ACCC Endowment Association Above and Beyond Award of Excellence,” March 25, during the Red Scholarship Gala.
Ames, a chemistry student from Humboldt, worked diligently to prepare for the gala on top of her general work-study duties. Work-study students typically work a maximum of 20 hours a week, Thompson said. But Ames gave much more of her time than that.
“She gave up her spring break to help with the auction, she has taken work home with her in the evening to help get it ready, she helped with all the decorating and planning and has just really helped the students in day to day preparation with getting ready for scholarships,” Thompson said. “ She really stepped up and went above and beyond what a normal work-study would do for a position like she has.”
Ames sent out numerous letters in order to acquire the large number of items lined up for the event’s auction. Her favorite item was the guitar autographed by the rock group Foreigner.
“That was one of the first letters I sent out and they responded instantly,” she said.
The gala was a huge success, and according to President John Masterson, raised twice as much as any of the Red Scholarship events in the past.
But Ames doesn’t just give it her all in the office, she graduated from Humboldt High School just one year shy of earning her Associate of Science degree.
“Next year she will attend Pittsburg State University to fulfill her requirement for pharmacy school,” Thompson said.
Besides working in the endowment office, Ames is an officer in Phi Beta Kappa, a student ambassador, works part-time at Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Chanute, and runs the United Methodist Church’s nursery on Sundays. She is the recipient of the “Transfer Leadership Scholar Scholarship.”
“She has just gone so above and beyond what a lot of kids her age do and I am just so proud of her,” Thompson said.
Ames’ long-term goal is to be a pharmacist.
“I am hoping to move back around here somewhere,” she said. “I would like to help the people who helped me when I was growing up.”
Ames is the daughter of Doug and Amanda Ames, Humboldt.
The ACCC Endowment Association Above and Beyond Award of Excellence is not given routinely. This award is only given when a student goes above and beyond, Thompson said.
Diligence pays off for Allen student
