Zoey Watson

Vera Sue Spencer Award Recipient

 

Zoey Watson of Lubbock has been named the 2026 recipient of South Plains College’s Vera Sue Spencer Award.

The award is presented to an SPC student who demonstrates outstanding leadership and service to the College and the community. In 1971, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Spencer established the award in memory of their daughter, Vera Sue, who died while Dr. Spencer was serving as SPC president.

Zoey, a graduating biology major who started at SPC in Fall 2024, said she is honored to receive this significant award.

“I’m somebody who always strives to do more and work hard,” she said. “I’m honored to be recognized for that by my professors.”

Before attending SPC, Zoey said she did not know what major she would pursue.

“South Plains was a great opportunity to get an education and find out what I was really interested in before going to a university,” she said.

Zoey is a ceramicist who is always looking for ways to improve her craft. When she enrolled at SPC, she first considered becoming an art major and took fun classes with dedicated Fine Arts professors, worked as a studio assistant in ceramics, and participated in the Art Club.

Since ceramics utilizes science, Zoey said she took a chemistry class with Shawn Horn, assistant professor of chemistry, during her first semester. He noticed her passion for science and encouraged her to explore the discipline further. Chris Adams, associate professor of art at SPC, was another favorite professor who encouraged Zoey to pursue an Associate of Science in biology, so long as she continued to hone her creative skills.

“He helped me realize that I could do both at the same time,” she said regarding arts and sciences.

While studying biology, Zoey was intrigued by SPC’s Science Building, its facilities, and the engaging courses. She also had the chance to meet many dedicated and successful biology faculty, including Department Chair Kristin Bingham, who is very knowledgeable and has great character; Dr. Caleshia Calvin, who always kept her door open for questions; and Dr. Megan Keith, who hired her as a lab assistant.

While at SPC, Zoey participated in the Garden Club and received the Outstanding Student in Chemistry award in 2025. Her other achievements include a spot in the SPC Honors Program and being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Outside of school, Zoey volunteers at Lubbock Impact, helping with the community meals, and at Buckner Children and Family Services. She continues honing her art skills by serving as a ceramics instructor at the Helen DeVitt Jones Clay Studio and supporting the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Zoey, a graduate of Frenship High School, owes a lot to her parents, Jason Watson and Kelly Barkley; her grandmother, Tammy Salameno; and her friend, David Echols, for shaping her into the hardworking and loving person she is today. She is considering majoring in nutrition and dietetics at Texas Tech University with the hope of becoming a registered dietitian and nutrition professor. She also plans to continue delving into art and, in the future, would love to host fundraising art events that provide nutritious meals to those in need.