WHC student wins student athlete award

The achievement award honors student athletes who have overcome great personal, academic and/or emotional odds to achieve success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. As part of the award, Gonzales will also receive a $250 scholarship.

“Receiving this award is a blessed opportunity,” said Gonzales. “But without the staff members, like counselor Erin Corea, who believed in me and gave me a chance to achieve my goals I wouldn’t be here.”

A graduate of Barstow High School, Gonzales is set to graduate this May with two degrees in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Science and Psychology. She is the team captain of the WHCC volleyball team and won the WHCC Falcon Coaches award in 2016.

She has also served as a member of the WHCC Associated Student Body as Commissioner of Public Relations, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, and has volunteered her time to several WHCC fundraising events.

She plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Communications.

“Teonia is a great student, a hard worker and leader and has strong communication skills,” said Erin Corea, counselor at WHCC who nominated Gonzales for the honor. “Her infectious enthusiasm, work ethic and positive attitude make her a please to be around. She is a great representative of student-athletes and greatly deserves this high honor.”

Gonzales will receive the 3C4A Student Athlete Achievement Award on March 29 at the California Community College Athletic Association 20th Annual Convention in Concord, during the Celebration of Scholar Athletes Luncheon.