May 7, 2024

Northland Community and Technical College is proud to announce this year’s Student of the Year award recipients. Blythe Peltier, an Early Childhood & Paraprofessional student, was named Student of the Year for the East Grand Forks campus; while Emma Osborn, an Animal Science and Advanced General Ag student earned the recognition for the Thief River Falls campus. Both students were nominated by staff members, and both will be graduating this month with AAS degrees. 

“This award means so much to me,” Osborn said. “I have had such a great time the last two years at Northland, I have put so much time and work into classes and playing basketball and this award just puts the cherry right on top of it all. I will be continuing my education at the University of Minnesota Crookston to finish my pre-veterinary degree.”

Shannon Nelson, Northland head women’s basketball coach, nominated Osborn for her dedication to her team, her studies and the greater community. Nelson believes in the importance of honoring students who go above and beyond and bring positive recognition to Northland and the region. 

“Emma is a great representative of what it means to be a Student of the Year,” Nelson said. “As a student-athlete, she brought a lot of positive recognition to the college and the Thief River Falls community by representing Northland on a regional, state and national level as one of the top three-point shooters in the nation two seasons in a row. Add to that her endless academic accomplishments — 4.00 GPA, President’s List every semester, MCAC All-Academic and NJCAA All-Academic First Team — and there is no question she is well deserving of this honor.”

ADawn Nelson, Agriculture (General & Animal Science) Instructor, also nominated Osborn, highlighting her eagerness to learn, work hard and share her passion with others.

“Emma came into the Animal Science program with the love and passion for companion animals,” Nelson said. “And she graduates the program with diverse experiences and knowledge in livestock, horses, companion animals and exotics. Emma has taught hundreds of students the past two years about agriculture, particularly animals. She is very willing to take experiences out of the classroom, apply the hard work and get involved.”

Marie Remz, Peltier’s Early Childhood instructor, nominated her in large part because of classroom leadership skills that inspired fellow classmates. Remz was also impressed by a presentation Peltier gave on self-worth and self-awareness that resonated with the early childhood students during a field experience in the Grand Forks community. 

“I am so excited that Blythe is receiving this award,” Remz said. “The “Student of the Year” award speaks volumes of a student and their impact throughout their time at Northland. Blythe is an amazing teacher and will make differences in children’s lives in whatever teacher role she finds. I can’t wait to see what her future holds.”

Peltier admits she was shocked to hear the news when the Student of the Year awards were announced. The honor is well earned, however, and Peltier was quick to share some of the credit with her Northland instructors. 

“This award is important to me because I’ve worked so hard for as long as I can remember,” Peltier said. “The professors and people I have come in contact with at Northland were more than encouraging. They made me feel so welcomed and like I was in the right place learning to do what I love. You come in nervous, but you leave with new friends, people who support you and an education that helps you grow.”

Peltier was also nominated by her academic advisor, Andrea Moses. 

“The more I got to know Blythe and her life story, one thing I kept coming back to is that she took accountability in her life and where she wanted to go with her education,” Moses said. “The way she has handled herself with grace, both personally and professionally, has stood out to me because of her perseverance in working towards her goal.”

Peltier will continue her education at the University of North Dakota and has been accepted into the Bachelor’s degree program for teacher education.