SMACS at VSU

05/27/2026

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Allayna Henriquez for being recognized with the Outstanding Chemistry Senior Award by the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences.

Allayna’s outstanding academic performance, involvement in departmental activities, SMACS, and research presentations also contributed to her nomination to Outstanding Student of the College of Science at Mathematics at Valdosta State University.

Allayna will graduate Fall 2026 with a BS Chemistry - American Chemical Society certified degree with concentration in Biochemistry.

Allayna received a diploma and $100 award. 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Carissa Reonas for being selected for the American Institute of Chemists Award, as outstanding senior, majoring in chemistry. The award is given in recognition of a demonstrated leadership, character, scholastic achievement and professional promise. Carissa graduated May 2026 with both a BS Chemistry and BS Criminal Justice degrees and plans to pursue a career as a forensic chemist.

Carissa received a diploma, $100 award, and AIC membership. 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Thomas Spooner for his recognition with the Julia Wisenbaker Sumerford Scholarship ​Award as the outstanding Junior student in the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences with a 4.0 GPA, SMACS Eboard member, and researcher. The Winsenbaker Sumerford Scholarship is given bi-annually to an outstanding junior or senior student.

Thomas received a diploma and $11,600 scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Braden Hendrix and Allayna Henriquez on their recognition with the Dr. M. Elizabeth (Betty) Derrick Award​ to support female students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship.​

​Each received a diploma and $300 award 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Sarah Rouke on her recognition with the Outstanding Chemistry Student Southwest Georgia American Chemical Society - Optima Chemical Award for service to the Valdosta State University Department of Chemistry and Geosciences and the student chapter SMACS. Sarah was SMACS President during the academic year 2023-2024 for which SMACS earned an Outstanding Chapter Award and a Green Chemistry Award in 2025.

Sarah received a plaque from the local section and $100 gift card from Optima Chemical (Douglas, GA) 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Allayna Henriquez, Darius Jackson, and Austin Markovcic (not in photo) on their recognition with the Undergraduate Research Award for outstanding outstanding participation in research, at the VSU undergraduate research symposium, and/or regional and national conferences.​

​Each received a diploma and $100 award 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Pearce Persaud​ on his recognition with the Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry for outstanding academic performance in the Biochemistry course.
Pearce received a diploma and $100 award. 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Darius Jackson on his recognition with the Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry for outstanding academic performance in the Physical Chemistry course.

Darius received a diploma and $100 award. 🔥

05/19/2026

2026 Outstanding Student Awards

Congratulations to Thomas Spooner on his recognition with the Undergraduate Award in ​Inorganic Chemistry​ for outstanding academic performance in the Inorganic Chemistry course.
Thomas received a diploma and $100 award. 🔥