WT Dance Honors Top Students at Year-End Banquet

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Top students were honored at West Texas A&M University Dance’s annual year-end banquet.

The May 7 Buff Dance Banquet and Awards Ceremony celebrated the department’s two major performances, “Falling into Dance” in November and “Portraits of Dance” in April ahead of WT’s May commencement ceremonies on May 16 and 17.

“We couldn’t be prouder of all that all of our students have accomplished this year,” said Crystal Bertrand, senior instructor of dance and WT Dance coordinator. “Our program had a stellar year marked by creativity, hard work and unforgettable moments. We celebrate that. These awards reflect those experiences and some well-earned recognition.”

Bertrand and fellow faculty members Edward Truitt and Sandra Stegelman Miller selected Gannon Duffy, a junior dance major from Lubbock, as the winner of the 3D Award, given to a dancer who exemplifies discipline, determination and desire.

Faculty members also selected Zarek Womak, a junior dance major from Cristoval, as winner of the Treston Johnson Dance Award, given to a dancer who best exemplifies the heart and soul of the dance program. The award is named for a dance student who died in 2018.

Five other awards, with winners selected by fellow dance majors, were presented, as well:

• Spirit Award: Anna Martin, a sophomore from Midland, for encouragement and support of other dancers, given in memory of the late Eddie Gomez;
• Buff Dance Award: Maia Soto, a senior from The Woodlands, and Nova Gore, a senior from Amarillo, for passion, dedication and the year’s most impressive performances;
• Diamond Award: Bryanna Miller, a sophomore from Canyon, for modeling proper classroom and rehearsal etiquette;
• Discovery Award: Krisanne Freeman, a junior from Amarillo, for making significant and unexpected contributions to the program; and
• Emerald Award: Lorelai Stager, a senior from Seguin, for embodying the highest aspects of artistry and skill in class, in rehearsal and on stage.

The dance program’s 2025-2026 season will include “Falling into Dance” from Nov. 20 to 23 and “Portraits of Dance” from May 1 to 3. Dancers also will be featured in a special collaboration with the Department of Art Theatre and Dance in March for The Arts at WT.

Fostering an appreciation for the arts and engaging and retaining the best students are key components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $165 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University Dance honored top students at a May 7 banquet. Among the award winners were, from left, Bryanna Miller, Nova Gore, Maia Soto, Lorelai Stager, Anna Martin, Krisanne Freeman and Zarek Womak. Not pictured is Gannon Duffy.

—WT—