HPU Recognizes 16 Students as Extraordinary Leaders
High Point University recently recognized and celebrated the achievements of 16 students who were named Extraordinary Leaders during Honors Day ceremonies on April 15. Pictured from left on front row are Vice President of Student Life Gwenn Noel, Ashlynn Rawlinson, Grace Savoca, Karlee Sanderford, Adriana Myers, Lena Hetrick, Lexie Young, Sierra Wilder and Claire Barnes. On back row from left are Cody Grambo, Jack O’Donnell, Patrick Parker, Dylan Masalleras, Emma Higgins, Chloe Cox, Nolan Fitz and HPU Provost Dr. Daniel Erb. Not pictured is Shira Gold.
HIGH POINT, N.C., May 1, 2025 – High Point University recently recognized and celebrated the achievements of 16 students who were named Extraordinary Leaders during Honors Day ceremonies on April 15.
The Extraordinary Leader recognition program honors students who embody stellar performance in the classroom, serve to make a difference in the university community and demonstrate outstanding leadership among their peers. Individuals worthy of recognition lead by example, understand the importance of academic endeavors and are committed to improving the HPU community.
Extraordinary Leaders are nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students, and more than 150 individuals were nominated this academic year. The following students have embraced the holistic education at HPU in leading by example, commitment to their academic endeavors and desire to improve the community at large with excellence and service.
2024-2025 Extraordinary Leaders:
Claire Barnes is a senior international business major with minors in political science and Spanish from Belton, South Carolina. She has held several leadership roles at HPU, including serving as chief justice for the Student Government Association (SGA) and as president of the Student Justice Association. She is a University Ambassador captain, the secretary of the Board of Stewards of HPU’s Hayworth Chapel and chaplain of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional co-ed business fraternity.
Chloe Cox is a senior biochemistry major from Clarkson, Kentucky. During her time at HPU, she was a finalist for the Elizabeth Miller Strickland Trailblazer Award and was selected for a 10-week research experience at the University of Bath in Bath, England. A recipient of the Presidential Founders Scholarship, Cox has been an organic chemistry supplemental instruction leader. She has served as a University Ambassador since her freshman year and was promoted to Ambassador captain during her sophomore year. As a member of the Honors Scholar Program, she has been involved with the Program Advancement Committee for the past three years. Cox was also selected to be an Honors Peer Mentor for Freshman Honors Scholars majoring in biochemistry and navigating their first year of college.
Nolan Fitz is a senior exercise science major from Mason, Ohio. He is a Health Sciences Fellow and received the Presidential Founders Scholarship. A Junior Marshal and member of the Order of the Lighted Lamp, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA during his time at HPU. He is a Peer Tutor for pre-calculus, calculus, anatomy, general chemistry and organic chemistry. He serves as vice president of D-Up, a nonprofit group designed to provide education to youth about health, exercise and nutrition to promote overall wellness. He also has organized events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and a 5K race. Fitz helped charter the Pre-Physical Therapy Club and wrote the club’s first constitution. Outside of the classroom, he has been a member of the men’s Club Soccer team all four years and this year as captain.
Shira Gold is a senior psychology major with a minor in statistics from Englewood, Colorado. She is active in Hillel and has served as president for the past two years. Under her leadership, Hillel won Organization of the Year through SGA. She serves as the vice president of membership and selection for the Peer Mentor Program and president of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. In addition, she is a Leadership Fellow and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta. Gold volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America and is a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line, where she supports individuals in moments of emotional distress.
Cody Grambo is a junior business administration major with a minor in healthcare administration from Edgewater, Maryland. He is a Presidential Scholar, Business Fellow and Dean’s List recipient for multiple semesters. Grambo has been a Resident Assistant since his second semester at HPU and is currently the Senior Resident Assistant for Belk Hall and Blessing Hall. He served as a training representative for the Resident Assistant Council (RAC) and is currently the president, where he is known as a strong public speaker and a great advocate for the RAs. He is an active volunteer with Operation Xcel, a nonprofit program for college students who volunteer at a local daycare for less privileged families. He also volunteered at HPU’s Day of Service.
Lena Hetrick is a senior dual-degree major in neuroscience and French and Francophone Studies from Waxhaw, North Carolina. She is a Presidential Founders Scholarship recipient, a member of the Honors Scholar Program and a Strickland Trailblazer Award finalist. She is published in the “Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease” and serves as the associate editor for IMPULSE, an international undergraduate research journal. She was president of Psi Chi, the psychology international honor society and volunteered as a Peer Mentor. Active in the Hayworth Chapel, she is a member of the Board of Stewards and serves as the Recruitment Chair. Hetrick is vice president of the Wanek School of Natural Science’s Student Advisory Board and has served in multiple roles with the French Club, including as president during her four years at HPU.
Emma Higgins is a senior electrical engineering major with a minor in mathematics from Yonkers, New York. She is the Senior Class President for the Class of 2025, is a member of Alpha Phi Omega and has been actively involved with the HPU Hayworth Chapel as a member of the Board of Stewards. Higgins has worked for Recreation Services and has been a tutor and supplemental instructional leader for Academic Services. She is a member of the Honors Scholar Program and its Philanthropy Ambassador. She is a semifinalist for a Fullbright Scholarship and was a runner-up for the prestigious Gaddis Award. Outside the classroom, Higgins is a member of club pickleball and tennis teams. She has conducted research in Triboelectric Nanogenerators and presented her findings at the state level for North Carolina. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and helps with Saturday Build Days to build homes for families in need.
Dylan Masalleras is a senior exercise science major with a minor in business administration from Clemmons, North Carolina. He is a member of the Congdon School of Health Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Council, and a Health Science Fellow and Ambassador. Outside of the classroom, Masalleras is the captain of the HPU gymnastics team and is a volunteer with D-Up as a member of the Exercise Science Club. He is the founding president of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club and grew the organization to more than 100 members during its first year. He is vice president of the Panther Motor Club and recently hosted their first annual Auto Show, which raised more than $13,000 for the American Heart Association.
Adriana Myers is a junior journalism major with a minor in popular culture studies from Frederica, Delaware. She is a Presidential Scholar and has made the Dean’s List multiple times. Myers is active in SGA, served as its executive secretary and currently is the executive vice president. She was elected to serve as a Class of 2026 Class Officer. Myers is active in Greek Life, currently serving as president of Kappa Delta Sorority, where she has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America. She serves as president of the Nido Qubein School of Communication Student Advisory Board. In addition, she is an all-access reporter and anchor for HPU Vision. Myers is also involved in Peer Mentors, the Society of Professional Journalists and Circle K. Outside of campus, Myers serves as a primary teacher at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she connects with families in the local communities. She was also awarded “Miss High Point University” in the 2022-23 academic year.
Jack O’Donnell is a junior pop culture and media production major from Avon, Connecticut. He is a Presidential Scholar and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society. He has been named to the Dean’s List every semester since starting at HPU. Prior to attending HPU, O’Donnell received the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of HPU Vision and serves as the current president. Last summer, O’Donnell was an intern with CNN on the photography team and attended both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Recently, he helped create the Screenwriters’ Association Club and produce a show called “What’s the Point?” on YouTube through the Qubein School of Communication.
Patrick Parker is a junior business administration major with minors in finance and sales from Stanley, North Carolina. Last semester, he won the Randy Moser Sales Competition. He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Delta Mu Delta honor societies. He has been named to the Dean’s List every semester since arriving at HPU. Parker is a member of the Board of Stewards, having served as the treasurer. He also volunteers at West End Ministries and with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America, where he visits his Little Brother at Kirkman Park Elementary each week. He is a member of the SGA Executive Council and served as executive treasurer, overseeing the financial operations of nearly 160 campus clubs. Last fall, Parker served with Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in the relief drive for victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Last year, he was named “Class of 2026 Man of the Year,” and recognized for his contributions to the campus community.
Ashlynn Rawlinson is a senior business administration major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a Presidential Scholar and Business Fellow, and was named to the Dean’s List. Rawlinson is a national winner for Business Professionals of America as a member of the HPU chapter and received both the State Executive Torch Award and the National Ambassador Torch Award with the HPU chapter. She has also been the parliamentarian, executive director and SGA representative for Business Professionals of America. She volunteers with D-Up and has taught leadership and business skills to youth in the local community. Rawlinson has volunteered to pack meals for homeless outreach and helped with school garden cleanup and beautification. She is also employed with the Office of Student Life as a student life office assistant.
Karlee Sanderford is a senior strategic communications major with minors in dance, social media marketing and business administration from Clayton, North Carolina. She is a Presidential Founders Scholarship recipient, a member of the Order of the Lighted Lamp, and a Chief Junior Marshal with a 4.0 GPA. Sanderford is a Communication/Media Fellow, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and a Millis Scholar Athlete recipient. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and an advocate for breast cancer awareness, both on campus and throughout the community. Currently, she is captain of the HPU dance team and has been a member all four years. She also leads campus tours as a University Ambassador and is a group exercise instructor for yoga and spin cycling classes with HPU Recreation. Sanderford was recently featured on a “College Tour” episode and is a member of the 2025 Bateman Competition Team for the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Grace Savoca is a senior strategic communications major with minors in social media marketing and sales from Denver, Colorado. She is a Presidential Scholar and was named to the Dean’s List every semester since arriving to HPU. She is active in HYPE, the student-run PR agency, and was a finalist in the Randy Moser Speed Selling Competition, where she delivered a two-minute elevator pitch to industry professionals. She is a current nominee for the Elizabeth Miller Strickland Trailblazer Award. Active on campus, Savoca is the vice president of Campus Health and Wellness and has launched various wellness initiatives on campus. She is active in Tri Sigma Sorority and vice president of recruitment for Panhellenic. She helped to raise money for March of Dimes and was involved in the SGA hurricane relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. She works as a fitness manager for Recreation Services, overseeing personal trainers and group exercise instructors.
Sierra Wilder is a senior accounting major with a minor in economics from Durham, North Carolina. She is a Presidential Scholar, a Business Fellow, a member of Delta Mu Delta Honor Society and a Junior Marshall. She has been a Dean’s List recipient every semester since arriving at HPU. Wilder volunteers to help with income tax assistance for the elderly, and works with D-Up. She has been instrumental in planning three annual galas for the Black Student Union and fundraised more than $7,000 with community partners. She is a member of the Phillips School of Business Student Advisory Board and current president of the Black Student Union. Wilder is also the current president of the National Association of Black Accountants and a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success and a Truist Emerging Leader.
Lexie Young is a senior chemistry major with a minor in mathematics from Brigantine, New Jersey. She is a Presidential Scholar and member of the Honors Scholar program, having been named to the Dean’s List multiple times since arriving at HPU. In 2024, she was a U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholar and has presented her research on both the regional and national level. Young is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and active in the philanthropy efforts for breast cancer education and awareness, homeless outreach and hurricane relief efforts. She has worked for HPU Recreation all four years at HPU and held leadership roles, including pool manager, facility manager and satellite gym manager.