HutchCC Recognizes Distinguished Dragons for Academic, Athletic Excellence
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College has recognized two exceptional students as part of its Distinguished Dragons program, highlighting academic achievement and athletic excellence across campus.
Nursing Student Earns Multiple Honors
Kelli Christ of Goessel, Kansas, has been named a 2025 Distinguished Dragon while completing her Associate Degree of Nursing at HutchCC. Christ maintains a perfect GPA and has earned repeated recognition on the President's Honor Roll.
Christ is on track to graduate with High Honors from the HutchCC Honors Program. Last spring, she presented research on postpartum mental illnesses at the Great Plains Honors Council Conference at the University of North Texas.
Her campus involvement includes serving as co-president of the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and membership in the Hutchinson Association of Nursing Students. Christ has received several prestigious scholarships, including the Presidential Gold Scholar award, the Kansas All-State Academic Team Workforce Scholarship and the national Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Scholarship, which is awarded to only one recipient per state.
"I'm endlessly thankful for the opportunities I have been given," Christ said. "I could not have imagined going to another school and having a more fruitful experience than here at HutchCC."
Christ praised Professor Milisa Steffen for her support and cited the 2025 Honors End-of-the-Year Meeting as one of her favorite campus experiences.
Softball Star Breaks Records
Bailey Backhaus of Newkirk, Oklahoma, earned Distinguished Dragon recognition after completing an Associate of Science degree. The shortstop for the Blue Dragons softball team achieved historic athletic success while maintaining academic excellence.
Backhaus earned repeated President's Honor Roll recognition and joined Phi Theta Kappa. She regularly attended Challenge at Crosspoint Church and was an active member of the softball team.
Her athletic achievements include helping the team win the region in 2024 and the conference in 2025. Backhaus received the NFCA/NJCAA Division I Golden Shoe Award and was named first-team NJCAA Division I Softball All-American, becoming the first Blue Dragon to earn this recognition in 33 years.
"Bailey Backhaus has consistently demonstrated her prowess on the field," her nominator wrote. "Her agility, strategic thinking, and leadership make her an invaluable asset to the team."
Backhaus credited Coach Jaime Rose for her support and guidance throughout her HutchCC career.
The Distinguished Dragons program recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, inspiration and excellence in their academic and extracurricular pursuits at Hutchinson Community College.