Eight students will be recognized as candidates for Mr. and Ms. York University, presented annually at the all-school banquet on Monday, April 15. Faculty and staff nominated these students based on the following attributes:
- Embody a commitment to the mission, purpose, and core values of York University.
- Are recognized by students, faculty, and staff as servant leaders who make positive contributions in all they do.
- Are well-rounded individuals who pursue spiritual integrity and academic excellence while making contributions to the campus and community, forming healthy personal relationships, and living godly lives.
Mr. YU Nominees:
Zane Barnett
Awards & Honors: Freshman of the Year, University Singers, Dean’s List
Activities: Baseball, Residence Life-R.A., Student Government Association, University Singers, Worship Leader, Genesis Leader
After graduation, Zane plans to return to Texas to pursue a career in teaching. He also intends to lead worship and youth at his home church and restart his business of fixing mailboxes.
Jarod Belden
Minor in Biblical Studies
Awards & Honors: 2023 Athlete of the Year, KCAC Scholar Athlete, 2x KCAC 1st Team All-Conference – Track & Field, multiple 2nd Team All-Conference – Track & Field , 5x NCCAA All-American, NCCAA National Champion in the Decathlon, Dean’s List
Activities: Track & Field, Cross-Country, Residence Life – AD, co-founder of YU Disc Golf Club
Jarod will work for On-Point Droneworx this summer doing aerial application and will start teaching in the fall. He is also excited to marry his best friend, Makayla Dinkler, in June.
Deonnie Graves
Awards & Honors: Homecoming Court 2023
Activities: STEM, Student Government, President of Kyodai social club, Men’s Wrestling, Better Together, Chi Rho
After graduation, Deon plans to pursue a career in marine biology and has applied to multiple internships dealing with aquatic life.
Anthony Hodson
Awards & Honors: 6x First-Team All-Conference – Track & Field, 3x Second-Team All-Conference – Track & Field, KCAC Scholar Athlete, Homecoming Court 2023
Activities: Track & Field, Cross-Country, President of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team, Better Together, Campus Ministries Student-Athlete Leadership Team
Anthony plans to continue his education at York University in the fall to complete his masters of arts, emphasizing in organizational and global leadership and utilize his eligibility to compete in cross-country and track.
Ms. YU Nominees:
Timberly Carr
Hometown: Henderson, Nebraska
Major: Education, Special Education K-12
Awards & Honors: 2023 Homecoming Queen, Vice President for Aspiring Educators, Alpha Chi Honor Society, KCAC Scholar-Athlete, Dean’s List, officer for Theta Psi social club and FBLA-Collegiate (PBL), placed 7th in business presentation and 5th in business communications at FBLA-Collegiate National Leadership Conference.
Activities: FBLA-Collegiate (formerly PBL), Theta Psi social club, Residence Life - Thomas Hall A.D., Cross-Country, Track & Field, University Singers, Aspiring Educators
Timberly has accepted a job as a special education resource teacher at an elementary school in Grand Island, Neb. and will start working on her master’s degree in education, emphasizing in curriculum and instruction.
Makayla Dinkler
Minor in Chemistry
Awards & Honors: Alpha Chi Honors Society, Dean’s List, STEM Society President, KCAC Scholar Athlete, KCAC First Team All-Conference - Track & Field, and KCAC Second Team All-Conference - Track & Field, NCCAA All-American in the Heptathlon
Activities: Track & Field, STEM Society, Residence Life, Theta Psi social club
After graduation, Makayla will be getting married in June to Jarod Beldon. In the fall, she will be attending the Professional Program of Veterinary Medicine at University of Nebraska – Lincoln to pursue her doctorate in veterinary medicine.
Laura Kate Eckhart
Awards & Honors: Dean’s List (eight semesters), President of Aspiring Educators, Vice President and Treasurer of University Singers, Alpha Chi Honors Society. Western Regional Representative NSEA
Activities: University Singers, Celebration Singers, Aspiring Educators, Campus Ministries, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and Beta Beta Sigma Club.
Following graduation, Laura plans to move to Omaha and teach at a Title I elementary school in the general or special education classroom. She plans to finish her master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction and continue to grow her involvement with mission work in Haiti.
Maryn Phillips
Vocal Performance
Awards & Honors: Dean’s List (eight semesters), Alpha Chi Honor Society, University Singers Featured Soloist, Soprano Section Leader and Student Conductor for University Singers, Songfest Hostess
Activities: Alpha Chi Honor Society, Beta Beta Sigma social club, Celebration Singers, Songfest, Study Abroad, Residence Life-R.A., University Singers
Maryn will graduate this spring with her vocal performance degree, and will student teach this coming fall for her music education degree. After student teaching, she plans to teach vocal music and hopes to give private voice lessons to future students.