Davis Technical College Names Amelia Lopez as 2024 Student of the Year
Kaysville, Utah, December 8, 2023 – Davis Technical College (Davis Tech) selected Amelia Lopez, a Welding Technology student, as the 2024 Student of the Year. The announcement was made today at a luncheon on the Davis Tech main campus.
Dominick Amarel, who completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, and is beginning the Firefighter program in January, was awarded Runner-Up.
Lopez and Amarel emerged from a pool of six finalists selected earlier in the fall. Davis Tech has six schools, and each student represents their program and school. They received scholarships and cash awards and will represent Davis Tech and their respective schools in 2024.
The 2024 Students of the Year for each school are:
School of Business and Information Technology
James Jordan, Web and Graphic Design program
School of Construction
Morgan Messersmith, Construction Technology program
School of Health Professions
Dominick Amarel, Emergency Medical Technician program
School of Manufacturing
Amelia Lopez, Welding Technology program
School of Service Professions
Dianna Ramirez, Cosmetology program
School of Transportation Justin Reynolds, Automotive Technology program
Lopez started Davis Tech as a junior in high school and completed the Heavy/Duty Diesel Technology program before receiving her high school diploma. Prior to finishing high school, she also started the Davis Tech Welding Technology program located at her high school. Currently, she is finishing this program on the Davis Tech main campus in Kaysville.
Additionally, Lopez is working full-time. “Because of my training at Davis Tech, I got a job at Hill Air Force Base with great pay and huge benefits at the age of 18,” said Lopez. “I’m learning how to weld and am applying it to fixing things around the base. Also, I'm using my diesel skills to do preventative maintenance inspections to get trucks back on the road.”
While in the Heavy/Duty Diesel Technology program, Lopez placed second at SkillsUSA and was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Scott King, Heavy/Duty Diesel Technology instructor says, “Amelia is one of the hardest-working young students to have come through the Diesel Technology program in a long time. She is always helping other students when she sees them struggling and never lets working in a male-dominated field slow her down.”
“The Student of the Year awards are not just a recognition of good grades; they are a celebration of character, resilience, and determination these students have shown in all aspects of their lives,” said Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Kelly Simerick. “Each one of these students shared with us their unique stories and have not only demonstrated a commitment to their education but have also inspired and uplifted their peers, faculty, and staff at Davis Tech.”
Lopez is excited to be selected for this new role. “Being the Student of the Year means that I can share my journey with others. I have been able to get far because of my education, and I want to show others that they can do the same,” says Lopez. “Davis Tech gives you all the tools.”
Photo 1: Davis Tech Students of the Year left to right: Dominick Amarel, Amelia Lopez, James Jordan, Morgan Messersmith, Justin Reynolds, Dianna Ramirez