GCCC Criminal Justice Team Excels at 2025 Regional Competition
[Garden City, KS] October 20, 2025 -- The Garden City Community College Criminal Justice Competition Team, Tau Epsilon Lambda (TEL), achieved outstanding success at the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) Region 3 Competition, held October 16–19 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.
GCCC’s team was the only community college represented at the competition and proved to be a strong contender, with every team member placing in at least one event. In total, the team earned four 1st-place finishes, three 2nd-place finishes, and four 3rd-place finishes across all categories.
GCCC’s team was comprised of Kenzie Lopez, Mariel Zambrano, Keydi Villeda, Yvette Guzman, Baby "April" Htoo, Brandy Unruh, and Robert Scrivner.
Competitors from across the region participated in multiple categories, including Academic Testing, Firearms, Crime Scene Investigation, and Physical Agility. Events were divided into three divisions: Lower (freshman/sophomore), Upper (junior/senior), and Professional (faculty and criminal justice professionals).
GCCC Team Results:
Academic Testing
- ACJA/LAE Knowledge: Brandy Unruh – 1st Place, Professional Division
- Criminal Law: Kenzie Lopez – 2nd Place, Lower Division; Keydi Villeda – 3rd Place, Lower Division; Brandy Unruh – 2nd Place, Professional Division
- Corrections: Baby “April” Htoo – 3rd Place, Lower Division
Crime Scene Investigation
- 1st Place, Lower Division Team: Mariel Zambrano, Yvette Guzman, Keydi Villeda
- 1st Place, Professional Division Team: Robert Scrivner, Kenzie Lopez, Baby “April” Htoo
Firearms
- 3rd Place, Lower Division Individual: Yvette Guzman
- 1st Place, Lower Division Team: Baby “April” Htoo, Keydi Villeda, Mariel Zambrano
Physical Agility
- 2nd Place, Female 25 & Under: Baby “April” Htoo
- 3rd Place, Female 36+: Brandy Unruh
“This group represented Garden City Community College with pride and professionalism,” said Brandy Unruh, GCCC Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Public Safety. “Being the only community college to compete, and having every member place, is an incredible accomplishment.”
The GCCC Criminal Justice Program continues to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, forensics, and other criminal justice fields through hands-on learning and competitive experiences like this event.
The GCCC Criminal Justice Team with their awards. From left: Robert Scrivner, Keydi Villeda, Baby “April” Htoo, Mariel Zambrano, Kenzie Lopez,
Yvette Guzman, and Brandy Unruh
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.