Student of the Year

Four students are selected every year to represent OTECH and receive a $1000 cash award. Could it be you?

Share Your OTECH Story

Each year, Ogden-Weber Technical College selects four outstanding students to represent the college and technical education in the state of Utah. A Student of the Year applicant should work hard, support technical education, tell great stories, and speak well in front of others. Student of the Year winners are invited to speak about their tech college experience at Graduation, Higher Ed Day on the Hill, donor breakfasts, Board of Trustees meetings, Admissions events, and more. 

 

Each winner receives a $1,000 cash prize.

 

Applications will open in August 2026.

Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize! Complete the application by September 28th to be considered for our Student of the Year.

Deadline for application is September 28, 2025.

Apply Now
Eligibility Requirements
  • Applications must be submitted no later than September 26, 2026.
  • Applicants must have been enrolled at Ogden-Weber Technical College anytime between October 1, 2025, and September 26, 2026.
  • Applicants must have been enrolled for a minimum of 6 months.
  • Exception: The applicant has graduated from a program that took less than 6 months to complete.
  • Applicants must be in good academic and financial standing with the college.
  • Applicants cannot be current or former employees of the College, except for work-study students.
  • Applicants must sign an agreement that will outline the duties of the OTECH Student of the Year.
Timeline

August 10 – September 26, 2026

  • Applications may be submitted by students and eligible graduates

 

October

  • In-person interviews of selected applicants

 

November

  • In-person video filming of four winners

 

December

  • Reception to honor Ogden-Weber Technical College Student of the Year winners

 

 

2025 Winners
Katie Craven

Business

Katie is a graduate of our Business program. Prior to enrolling at OTECH, Katie wouldn’t have described herself as an academic. That quickly changed as she found a safe space to learn and grow at OTECH. Katie’s academic excellence led to her membership in National Technical Honor Society, an accolade achieved only by the top 5% of OTECH students per semester. Now that Katie has completed her program, she is researching and preparing to open a small business in the future – a business that she hopes captures the same nurturing and community-centered essence that she experienced here at OTECH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmPd2l-d7IE
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Adilen Gil

Nursing Assistant, Nail Technician, and Cosmetology

Adilen first came to OTECH as a high school student, completing the Nursing Assistant program her junior year and the Nail Technician program her senior year, all while captaining her high school cheer team and serving as Senior Class Vice President. Now, Adilen is enrolled in the Cosmetology program with aspirations of working in a salon to help pay tuition for her continuing education in Nursing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEspalHXTT0
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Lance Allen

Composites, Computer Aided Design, and Machining

Lance’s OTECH journey began as a senior in high school when he completed the Composites program and landed a Composites job shortly after graduation. This year, he returned to complete the Computer Aided Design program with an emphasis in manufacturing. “OTECH has changed my life by giving me the education I need to follow and do my dreams. I have completed two programs, Composites and CAD Manufacturing. Now I am in the Machinist program.” “My plans for the future will be to make my own business building and selling parts for cars that have no more support from their manufacturers. I am grateful that OTECH has given me the knowledge to be able and confident in following that dream.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqINwJpAk7Q
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Jessi Guzman

Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy

Jessi is a student in our Medical Assistant program. She is also a mother of five and actively involved on campus and in the community. Jessi is currently completing her externship at Tanner Clinic, where she has been such an asset that they have already offered her a permanent Medical Assistant position on their staff. “I would like to inspire students to get involved in their school community so that they can see that they do have a voice, that they can and they will be seen, and that what they believe matters here. I want to share with them how wonderful OTECH has been for me for the past 20 months, and I want them to know that your instructors really believe in you and they really cheer you on.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vroI0uiWm0
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