EvCC will be honoring outstanding graduates, distinguished alumni, and selected teachers as inspirational instructors with "You made a difference" awards.

The commencement will take place on June 7 at 2 p.m. and will honor students based on nomination and selection by faculty from each department. The students will be presented with an "Honor for Excellence" medal and a certificate from the Associated Students, along with the addition of their names to the outstanding graduates plaque.

The students are listed as follows according to the EvCC press release.

-Nicolette Balk, Speech, Everett
-Krissie Bustad, Cosmetology, Marysville
-Amanda Lynn Carper, Computer Information Systems, Lake Stevens
-Matthew Scott Christie, Math, Everett
-Abigail Marie Cooper, Biology, Snohomish
-John T. "Tom" Dixon, Medical Transcription, Clinton
-Wendy Gitnes, Medical Assisting, Everett
-Shane Hallgren, Aviation, Arlington
-Jeffrey Nelson Harper, Engineering, Snohomish
-Deryck Edward Hartford, Criminal Justice, Everett
-Denice Hicks, Business Technology, Everett
-Lynne Bracy Kalb Hunsaker, Early Childhood Education,Freeland
-Stacey Maria Kelly, Education, Everett
-Oneyda Nelson, Adult Basic Education, Everett
-Tarah Beth Pulliam, Social Sciences, Marysville
-Andrew William Rash, Chemistry, Everett
-Cerise R. Robinson, English, Marysville
-Sara Michelle Rose, Engineering, Marysville
-Lindsey Schwendiman, Photography, Everett
-Tamara Smith, Graphic Arts, Everett
-Brenda Jean Smith-Gomez, World Languages, Everett
-Wendy Wier, Nursing, Snohomish

In addition, EvCC will honor former publisher of the Everett Herald Larry Hanson, an EvCC alumni, who also edited the EvCC yearbook for two years and contributed to college and community projects for 40 years.

Students will also be showcasing their admired teachers by handing out "You made a difference" awards. The teachers were nominated by graduates.The graduates who chose to participate sent in descriptions of individuals in the faculty or staff at EvCC that made a significant difference in their lives.

The teachers chosen were art instructor Sandra Lepper, based on her student encouragement and devotion to the success of those she teaches, counselor John Meyer, based on his positive attitude and sense of self-sacrifice for those he assisted, support technician Rie Fountain, who devoted herself to assisting students to the best of her ability, and biology instructor Dr. Elliott Stern, for his passion, sense of humor, and willingness to challenge students to perform beyond expectations .

The commencement will also feature student speaker and running start student Bernita Bontrager of Lake Stevens High School, who will be graduating from both her high school and EvCC.