Mojave Community College honored Lake Havasu City Campus student Adam Romano with the Kathy Hodel Student of the Year Award at its 2023 Graduation Ceremony.
The Hodel Prize is awarded $10,000, which the winner is free to spend as they please. Romano said he intends to use the money to continue his education and build a solid foundation for his growing family. Romano graduated from his MCC with an Associate in Fine Arts degree and is pursuing a BA in Museum Studies from Arizona State University.
“It feels really great to be named the 2023 Kathy Hodel winner,” said Romano. “My supportive wife said she knew I was going to win, but I had my doubts. I feel honored and very happy.”
The late Kathy Hodel was a prominent Havasu philanthropist and was known throughout the city as an advocate for many causes, including the MCC Foundation, the Western Arizona Humane Society, the Havasu Cancer Society, and the K-12 Foundation. .
Kathy and her husband, Don Hodel, presented the inaugural Kathy Hodel Awards in 2018 before she passed away later that same year.
This award is given annually to Mojave County residents who graduate from the MCC with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher. The award also calls for her 30 hours of community service in her 12 months prior to receiving the award. The winner must have a leadership role in her MCC group, such as a student club, and will also be asked to write an essay as part of the application process.
Romano ticked all these boxes and more during his time at MCC.
He graduated with a 4.0 GPA and completed over 100 hours of community service in the past year. Last school year, Romano was named to the All-Arizona Academic Team. This team includes full tuition scholarships to public universities in the state. Romano was also named Coca-Cola’s Gold He’s Academic His Team’s Gold Scholar in 2022.
During her time at MCC, Romano participated in the Phi Sita Kappa Honor Society, the Student Arts Federation, and the Student Activities Council. MCC public relations manager Vanessa Espinoza said Romano has also contributed to the curation of art shows both at MCC and elsewhere in Havasu.
Romano is also active in the larger Havasu community as a volunteer and trustee of the Lake Havasu Historical Museum and a member of the London Bridge Toastmasters.
“He is known by so many within and outside the MCC community as an empathetic leader and team builder who is not afraid to step in and work when needed,” said the university. said Maria Ayon, Director of Student and Community Engagement at . Lake Havasu Campus. “I am very proud of Adam because he sees challenges as opportunities to make effective change for the greater good.”
