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Hard work overcoming adversity earns BRCC student the Academic Excellence Award

BRCC President Laura B. Leatherwood congratulates Academic Excellence Award winner Victoria Dmytryszyn at graduation in May. [BENJAMIN RICKET/BRCC]

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 22, 2026

Victoria Dmytryszyn worked hard and achieved extraordinary success in the classroom despite great personal hardship.

“Our house was devastated by seven feet of water, and the college was actually able to help,” she said of Hurricane Helene flooding.

Following the storm, Financial Aid office and the Educational Foundation of Blue Ridge Community College distributed more than $2½ million in emergency financial assistance to students affected by the disaster. The  emergency aid allowed Dmytryszyn to stay in school and in May the college honored her with its Academic Excellence Award.

For Dmytryszyn, the support extended beyond financial assistance.

“It was also the faculty that really helped me,” she said. “They pushed me and reminded me that I can do this, that I can continue moving forward.”

Dmytryszyn graduated summa cum laude with an associate in science college transfer degree, earning a GPA of 3.93.

The Academic Excellence Award program recognizes outstanding students at each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. To be eligible, students must be enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in a curriculum degree program, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

“Also an Early College student, Victoria has balanced the demands of both high school and college coursework with remarkable discipline and focus,” BRCC President Laura Leatherwood said at the graduation ceremony. “Her success reflects not only excellence in the classroom, but also resilience in the face of significant challenges.”

Dmytryszyn attended Blue Ridge as a dual-enrolled student while also participating in the Innovative High School program, a partnership between Blue Ridge and Henderson County public schools. Even while balancing the demands of high school and college, she remained focused on her long-term goal of becoming a physician.

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, and that passion was really fulfilled coming to Blue Ridge and seeing all of the different science classes I was able to take,” she said.

This fall, she plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in neuroscience on a pre-med track and minor in business administration.

Finding strength through community

In her final semester at Blue Ridge, Dmytryszyn reflected on that experience in an essay.

“During my time at Blue Ridge, I also learned the importance of community,” she wrote. “When Hurricane Helene destroyed my home, I was not sure how I would manage everything at once. But the faculty and staff stepped in. They checked on me, encouraged me, and celebrated every small win—and they continue to do so. That kind of support allowed me to stay focused on my academic goals and remain grateful for every opportunity.”

Dmytryszyn said earning the Academic Excellence Award was especially meaningful as a student in a high school program, particularly as one of the younger students in her classes. She also expressed gratitude for the sacrifices her family made to provide her with opportunities to succeed.