ESCANABA — Bay College is honoring Nicole Lemay, Allyson Lancour, Collin Arnt, Myah Pearson, Cecilia Pilon and Gabriela Boyle as the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Graduates Awards. To receive consideration for the award, these students were nominated by faculty members. These students are recognized for their academic performance, demonstrated leadership ability, motivation to succeed, and other noteworthy criteria established by the respective academic division.

Nicole Lemay is the Allied Health Division Award winner.Lemay participated in the EMT program this year and will be attending the paramedic program next fall. Although she has been out of college for nearly 15 years, she always knew that she wanted to be a flight medic one day. Lemay enjoys photography and camping with her husband and five children. She loves being a mom more than anything, even when she is being pulled in many different directions with their extra circular activities. “Nicole is our Outstanding Graduate for many reasons, one being that she is a mom of five children and decided that higher education was important not only for herself, but to show her children that it is important and possible to obtain your degree at any age,” said EMT Instructor Lindsey Slifka.

Allyson Lancour is the Business Division Award winner. Lancour grew up in McFarland and graduated from the Mid-Peninsula School in 2021. Lancour started at Bay College as a dual enrolled student and is currently working on obtaining her accounting degree. She is a member of Bay’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) Student Club and holds a 3.9 GPA. Lancour hopes to attend Lake Superior State University in fall to continue her education by receiving a bachelors in accounting with a CPA concentration through Bay College’s and LSSU’s 3-in-1 program. “Students with a strong work ethic and gazelle like determination, as demonstrated by Allyson, make the job of an instructor incredibly rewarding. It has been a pleasure working with Allyson from the beginning stages of Accounting Principles through the advanced stages of Cost Accounting courses. I wish Allyson continued success in her academic career as she pursues her goal to become a certified public accountant,” said Accounting Instructor Ron Pearson.

Collin Arnt is the Technology Division Award winner. He has a 3.7 GPA and graduated from the Water Technology Operations program. Arnt plans to attend UW-Green Bay to obtain his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering in the fall. He enjoys working out, hunting, fishing, and all things sports. “Collin is a hardworking and dedicated student that will succeed in life. His AAS in Water is a perfect fit for his next step to gain his BS in Environmental Engineering at UWGB,” said Water Instructor Troy Gallagher.

Myah Pearson is the Arts and Letters Division winner. Pearson is an art and design major with a current GPA of 3.98. While taking classes full time at Bay, Pearson is also a tutor and involved in Bay College’s Art Club. Outside of school, she is a waitress at Jack’s Restaurant in Rapid River and spends time with friends, family, and her dog, Lucy. “Myah has created two provocative, conceptual and challenging art performances while at Bay College. She has pushed herself to her limits and surpassed expectations. What she has accomplished academically and artistically must be commended,” said Kristine Granger, art instructor at Bay College.

Cecilia (Cece) Pilon is the Math and Science Division winner. Pilon obtained an associate’s of science in pre-engineering while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She plans to transfer to a university to double major in chemistry and bio-chemistry. While focusing on her studies as a full-time student, she also works at Bay College as a supplemental instructor and tutor for other students. Outside of Bay College she works part-time as a live-in nanny and waitress. “Cece is an exceptional student and person. She is destined for great things,” said Science Instructor Matt Krynicki.

Gabriela (Gabi) Boyle is the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division winner. Boyle grew up in Lublin, Poland and immigrated to London, England while studying at university in Poland. She had plans to always return to Poland, but fell in love with the British culture and remained in London for 11 years. Boyle met her husband at that time and eventually moved to the Upper Peninsula. She is a busy mom with 3-year and 5-year old boys, two cats, and a dog. Boyle has always had a passion for helping others, and that is why she has chosen social work and criminal justice for her majors. Since the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, Boyle has been at the head of organizing multiple fundraisers within the community to directly help Ukrainian refugees who were coming to the city of Lublin, and those that were in the Kharkiv, Ukraine area. Through all of the stress of worrying for her family members safety at this current time, she has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA. “Gabi demonstrated academic excellence in her courses and continuous curiosity and passion for learning. She brought the College together to support the Ukrainian people through awareness and fundraising campaigns, and in doing so gave back so much to all of us. We are so proud of her, and know that she will continue to bring the Bay mission of success where she goes,” Dean of Arts and Sciences Jessica Van Slooten said.