BY JOE VINDUSKA
Special to the Tribune
Barton Community College has announced its 2018-19 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassador of the Year awards. Named in memory of Brant J. Ballhorst, the award recognizes two outstanding Student Ambassadors each year. The winners this year were Delaney Smith and Joanna Lockwood, both of Hoisington.
This year marked the 15th anniversary of the award. The Admissions office also named Kaitlin Adams of Great Bend as the recipient of this year’s “The Rock” award.
This award is presented to students who go above and beyond the call of duty in assisting the Admissions office. The award recipients were chosen by their peers and Barton’s Admissions staff.
Ambassador of the Year: Delaney Smith
Smith is a sophomore involved in Student Ambassadors, Community Student Organization (CSO), Spark (a gathering place for business students and those with an entrepreneurial spirit), Student Government and Phi Theta Kappa who plans to transfer to Fort Hays University to pursue a degree in Public Accounting. She is the daughter of Gary and Dee Ann Smith of Hoisington.
Ambassador of the Year: Joanna Lockwood
Lockwood is a freshman who is involved in Student Ambassadors, CSO/Spark and Phi Theta Kappa. She is majoring in secondary education and will return to Barton next year. She plans on continuing her education at FHSU upon graduation in 2020. She is the daughter of Kenton and Cynthia Lockwood of Hoisington.
The Rock Award: Kaitlin Adams
Adams is a sophomore who is involved in Student Ambassadors, Hilltop Singers, Student Government, Phi Theta Kappa and CSO/Spark. She plans to transfer to FHSU Honors College to pursue her bachelor’s degree in business management. She is the daughter of James Adams and Larissa Graham of Great Bend.
About Brant J. Ballhorst and the award
From Smith Center, Ballhorst was a 2002 Barton graduate and former Student Ambassador. Despite health concerns throughout his time at Barton, he was the model Ambassador. He balanced a challenging course schedule and golf team commitment while remaining dedicated to his role as a Student Ambassador. Ballhorst was a respected peer and cherished friend of many on campus, especially the Admissions Office. His determination and dedication touched the lives of everyone he met.
He graduated from Barton with a degree in pre-pharmacy and attended the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas. He was a student at KU until his death on Aug. 5, 2004. He always had a good attitude about his illness and joked that it was good education for his major. He was the son of John and Gayle Ballhorst of Smith Center.
Barton will continue to honor Ballhorst’s achievements, character, personality and work ethic by awarding future Ambassadors of the Year in his memory. A permanent plaque dedicated in his honor is displayed in the corridor of the Kirkman Activity Center on Barton’s campus.
