Wilmes Earns CMU Victoria Award

2016 May 17

As if graduating from Central Methodist University this past Saturday (May 14) wasn't memorable enough for Jessica Wilmes, she was surprised to be announced as one of the three seniors recieving top honors.

A capacity crowd in E.P. Puckett Field House witnessed the presentation of the Victoria Award award to Wilmes, an athletic training major from Foristell. CMU presents its three most prestigious graduating senior awards at every May Commencement in Fayette. Identities of the recipients, nominated by CMU faculty and staff, remain top secret until announced during Commencement.

CMU's Victoria Award is given annually to a graduating student who in the opinion of the faculty and students best exemplifies the ideals and purposes of Central Methodist University. The award is given in memory of Victoria Beecroft Cutter and established in 1979 by her late son Dr. Walter Cutter, Central Class of 1928.

Jessica Wilmes has been an outstanding scholar while majoring in athletic training at CMU. She also has excelled as a student-athlete, earning numerous national and conference awards as a member and team captain of the Eagles' nationally-ranked softball team, which recently qualified for the NAIA national tournament.

She is a member of CMU chapters of Alpha Chi and Sigma Epsilon Pi honor societies and the CMU Athletic Training Student Organization. When Wilmes isn't playing softball for CMU, she often umpires intramural softball games on campus.

In addition, Wilmes has volunteered hundreds of hours of her own time on mission trips to Mexico, at St. Theodore Parish in Flint Hill, singing Christmas carols and playing games with residents in nursing homes around Flint Hill, and teaching vacation Bible school there as well.