By Jenn Adrien

Five CPTC Students Join the All-Washington Academic Team

Clover Park Technical College is pleased to announce that five of its students have been named to the 2026 All-Washington Academic Team. They are among the 84 students from across the state who were celebrated at today’s award ceremony hosted by South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. Two of the college’s team members have also been honored in the All-WA Top 16 and received a $750 scholarship from WSECU. The Top 16 students are ranked by Phi Theta Kappa during the application review process.

“The achievement of these five students is a testament to the grit, talent, and heart that define the Clover Park community,” said Dr. Joyce Loveday, President of Clover Park Technical College. “From the flight deck to the automotive shop, from healthcare frontlines to the barbershop, these scholars are not just mastering technical skills, they are preparing to lead and serve. We are incredibly proud to see them recognized on the All-Washington Academic Team for their excellence in the classroom and their commitment to making a difference in their communities.”

The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors our state’s finest higher education students. The students who make up the All-Washington (All-WA) Team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community. Their stories are often inspiring, sometimes surprising, and always reflective of the larger story of the state’s community and technical college students.

The program has become the showcase for Washington’s community and technical colleges because it honors the academic high achievers, the individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities in which they live. This recognition demonstrates the state’s commitment to scholarship and community service on the part of those attending the state’s public community and technical colleges.

Ariel Branham

Pre-nursing Associate Degree, Lakewood Campus

The day after Ariel Branham graduates with her Associate in Pre-Nursing, she and her family will move to the South. She was accepted to 19 different universities to continue her studies, and has been offered a full-ride scholarship for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ariel considered many universities and ultimately selected the one whose supportive community most closely mirrored CPTC’s. “CPTC just felt right. The college has been such a big part of who I have become,” Ariel said.

Grateful for the unwavering encouragement she received as a student, she plans to carry that same compassion for others into her future nursing career. Another thing Ariel will take with her is sea glass, mementos she picked up during walks at Owen Beach. Ariel credits multiple faculty and staff with lending her strength through her time at Clover Park. They guided her to the best academic pathway, supported her through times of illness, and checked in on her when she needed it most. “It was refreshing to know that I wasn’t just a number to them. It was nice to have someone know what I was experiencing.”

Brian Louis Brewer

Associate in Applied Technology in Automotive Technology, Lakewood Campus

Brian is a highly skilled technician who built a professional foundation through the hands-on, competency-based training at Clover Park Technical College. His dedication to technical precision has earned him a conditional offer as a Lead Automotive Technician for the United States Postal Service at the Seattle Mail Vehicle Maintenance facility. Brian’s long-term goals include mastering advanced electrical systems and drivetrains while maintaining the high professional standards required for fleet reliability and safety.

A firm believer in the rewards of the trades, Brian emphasizes discipline, accountability, and persistence as the keys to success. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing guitar, playing pool, and studying mechanical systems and physics. Supported by a strong network of family, mentors, and CPTC faculty, Brian is committed to a career defined by stability and measurable achievement in the automotive field.

Sangwoo Kim

Top 16 Finalist

Professional Pilot Program, South Hill Campus 

Sangwoo Kim is a dedicated student in the Professional Pilot Program at Clover Park Technical College (CPTC), set to graduate following the spring quarter. A veteran who utilized his GI Bill benefits to pursue flight training, Sangwoo was recently accepted into the Horizon Pilot Development Program. His ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot with Horizon Air after completing his required flight hours.

He attributes his success to CPTC’s exceptional ground instruction and aircraft maintenance. Outside the cockpit, Sangwoo manages the stresses of training by biking along Ruston Way and exploring the local food scenes in Tacoma and Seattle. He relies on a strong support system of family, friends, and the veteran community. His advice to future students is to trust the process, stay committed, and master the challenges of Pacific Northwest weather to become a more capable pilot.

Terry Rudolph

Top 16 Finalist

Human Services, Lakewood Campus

Terry is a Human Services student at Clover Park Technical College with a deep commitment to guiding others through the complex process of recovery. Aiming for a 2027 graduation before moving on to a bachelor’s degree, Terry’s focus is on substance abuse counseling and re-entry services. This path is driven by a personal understanding of what it takes to rebuild a life and a desire to be a beacon for those who feel they have no way forward.

To maintain the discipline required for this challenging field, Terry balances academic rigor with physical fitness and community involvement. Whether building cars—a hobby that demands extreme patience—or staying centered through church, Terry applies the same “show up and work” mentality to every aspect of life. Supported by family, mentors, and the Human Services program faculty, Terry is ready to turn technical training into a career of meaningful impact.

Rylan Pearson

Cosmetology and Barbering, Lakewood Campus

Rylan Pearson graduated from the Cosmetology program in December 2025 and moved into CPTC’s newly relaunched Barbering program to round out his skillset. Having started at CPTC as a high school senior, he will launch a career with two certifications by age 19. He aspires to work in a local shop before eventually opening his own business. Outside the classroom, Rylan enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and supporting local music, fueled by the steady encouragement of his family and dedicated CPTC instructors.

Program Sponsors

The All-Washington Academic Team program is sponsored by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, Washington State Association of College Trustees and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Event Materials

A copy of the 2026 event’s electronic program and video will be added to this post when they become available.

Post script… Ariel Banham shared this pic of the CPTC team at the April 23 luncheon.