DEREKH FROUDE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Dance senior of the year Carissa Wong practices her jumps at the Ina A. Gittings building Monday morning.

This year, at least two UA seniors are making their way to graduation as Seniors of the Year in their respective departments.

Dance senior Carissa D. Wong and visual communications senior Mike Hensley are two such recipients of the award.

ãBeing in such a prestigious dance program, I know that there are several wonderful people to choose from, and Iâm honored that they chose me,ä Wong said. ãThis award is the fresh-cut strawberries and fudge swirls on the already iced cake.ä

Associate professor of dance Michael Williams said dance faculty observe the well roundedness of each senior, and after much consideration, make their choice.

ãWe look at their growth through their time in the department,ä Williams said. ãWe look at their performance abilities, the creative choreographic things theyâve done, ways they have served both the community and the department, (and) their academic excellence.ä

Wong has served the dance department and the Tucson community through her involvement in Dancersâ Consortium and the University of Arizona dance ensemble.

ãIâve helped with events that raise money for the dance department, showcase new student choreography and organize volunteer opportunities,ä Wong said.

ãBut I feel my most important accomplishments have been performing with the UA dance ensemble ÷ Iâve performed in over 15 pieces and 10 concerts during my four years.ä

Along with her dance major, Wong has also completed a business minor. She said her current GPA is above 3.95.

After graduation, Wong plans to attend several dance workshops and auditions around the country before finalizing any future plans.

ãAt the end of my summer, Iâm hoping to have a job, or at least know where I want to base myself out of,ä Wong said. ãIâm going to give myself two years to find a dance job, and if nothing arises, Iâm going back for a degree in accounting.ä

While Wong is taking her future in stride, she said her advice to her fellow students is to take chances and follow through.

ãChase your dreams; donât let them run away; capture the stars, donât just reach for them; hold the world in the palm of your hand and not on your shoulders,ä Wong said.

Hensley was awarded Senior of the Year by VisCom faculty and the VisCom Alumni Association for his poster campaign announcing the Annual Visual Communication Exhibition and Lecture Series.

Christine Scheer, a graduate student in the School of Art, said the annual event shows student work and allows students to ask professionals in visual communications questions about the field. She said Hensley participated in many aspects of the event.

ãMike Hensley went over and above the call of duty when he agreed to pick up one of the judges from the airport, provide refreshments for the opening night ceremony, coordinate donations of services from local vendors, and manage the design and construction of the trophies to be given out on the opening night,ä Scheer said.

She added that Hensley has always gone above and beyond what was expected of him.

ãMike is an extremely enthusiastic, passionate person who dedicates himself to his projects and establishes an excellent (rapport) with whomever he meets,ä Scheer said. ãHe always sees his extra effort as a chance to learn something new in order to improve his own skills and he always welcomes the opportunity to get involved with fresh ideas.ä

Art professor Jackson Boelts added that Hensleyâs work and dedication has been acknowledged not only by faculty and alumni, but also by his classmates.

ãHis campaign was deemed best by the students in his class in both concept and full execution of collateral materials such as trophies and postcards,ä Boelts said.

ãMike Hensley not only did an outstanding job in his capacity as master of ceremonies for this event but went above and beyond the call of this project by modeling and casting the award trophies in metal.ä