Whether you are looking for the inside scoop on Gael life or could use some help finding your way around campus, Student Ambassadors are here to show you all the ins and outs of Saint Mary’s. That’s the Gael way of “friending” someone.

Ariana Alvarez, ‘15
Clayton, California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you want to do when you grow up? I would love to own my own cafe as well as work with a non-profit organization promoting various social justice causes.  I’d also love to incorporate traveling the world into it all.

Major and Minor: Sociology Major, Communication Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Dante’s Inferno
Favorite Jan Term: Accelerated Italian 1
What is a Gael? A Gael is full of spunk, attitude, creativity, pride, and determination!  A Gael challenges itself, yet knows how to have a good time!  I am a Gael; God is a Gael; everyone should be a Gael!

Student Involvement: Orientation Leader, Hermanas Unidas
Favorite East Bay landmark: La Scala Cafe in Walnut Creek
Hidden Talent: Avid Thrift Store Shopper
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? It means Saint Mary’s has been doing great things for a long time. Sesquicentennial also signifies how lucky I am to belong to such a wonderful community blessed with such vibrant history!

Sophia Anguilla, ‘15
Portland, Oregon

What do you want to do when you grow up? Own a non-profit and help the homeless in Portland.

Major and Minor: Liberal and Civic Studies Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Mo Tzu, Selections
Favorite Jan Term: Community Engagement in Sri Lanka, A Virtual Immersion.
What is a Gael? A Gaelic warrior.

Student Involvement:  Co-chair of Relay for Life and Gay-Straight Alliance
Favorite East Bay landmark: Bianca’s Deli
Hidden Talent: I can speak five languages.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? One hundred and fifty years of greatness!

Bianca Auble, ‘13
Mariposa, California

 

What do you want to do when you grow up? 1. Go to medical school. 2. Become a pediatrician. 3. Care for all of the children in the Dominican Republic, and then continue on around the world.

Major and Minor: Biology Major, Creative Writing Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: The Odyssey
Favorite Jan Term: Christian Service Internship: Dominican Republic
What is a Gael? The most feared mascot in the WCC! (Much more intimidating than a nightin”gale.”)

Student Involvement:  Honors Program Executive Commissioner, Liturgical Minister, Rotaract Club
Favorite East Bay landmark: Fenton’s Creamery
Hidden Talent: I am the infamous hoops star of the Admissions Office.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? It means 150 years of a supportive community of motivated students and dedicated faculty and staff. It means 150 years of the Gael family.

Shane Blunk, ‘14
Sacramento, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Help people. Save the world. You know, the usual.

Major and Minor: Integral Liberal Arts Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Plato’s Phaedrus
Favorite Jan Term:  Christian Service Internship, Guadalupano Infantil in Mexico City
What is a Gael? William Wallace from Braveheart!

Student Involvement:  Club Soccer, Intramural Sports, Gael Force
Favorite East Bay landmark: Berkeley Botanical Garden
Hidden Talent: Talking while walking backwards and spotting planets in the night sky.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Consistency, steadfastness, 150 year anniversary (obviously).

Jaycee Casalnuovo, ‘14
Fairfax, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I don’t anticipate ever truly growing up. I’d like to always be a kid at heart.

Major and Minor: History Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Jan Term: Experiencing the Heart of a Teacher
What is a Gael? I previously thought it was a bird. Now I believe it’s a Celtic knight.

Student Involvement: Honors Commission, Honors Program
Favorite East Bay landmark: Sky High
Hidden Talent: I’m great at laughing at my own corny jokes.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? That I’m proud to say I’ve attended the same college as my dad and grandpa. 

Julie Cozzetto, ‘13
Yakima, Washington

What do you want to do when you grow up?  Adulthood does not denote a stopping point in growth. I have so many plans and goals that I’ll need my whole lifetime to fulfill them: world traveler, teacher, politician, United Nations representative, Non-Profit Administrator. Mainly, I just want to change the world.

Major and Minor:  Integral  Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Jane Austen’s Emma and Tolstoy’s War and Peace
Favorite Jan Term:  “Along the Jordan River”- Travel Course through Israel, Palestine, and Jordan
What is a Gael?  A Gael is fierce, family-oriented, and unstoppable. The Gael family thrives on achievement, unity, and community. A Gael understands that life is a journey, not an end goal.

Student Involvement:  Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action, Mission and Ministry, Saint Mary’s College Against Cancer Club president
Favorite East Bay landmark:  Sight: Grizzly Peak, Food: Morucci's Si Mangia Bene Sandwich Shop (a must eat!)
Hidden Talent:  I can sit still and quietly for long periods of time.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you?  One hundred and fifty years of learning, living, and serving. One hundred and fifty years of community, competition, and growth. One hundred and fifty years of smiles, laughter, and tears. One hundred and fifty years of being a part of something bigger than oneself. One hundred and fifty years of being a Gael.

Melissa Dahl, ‘14
Bellevue, Washington

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to study the Bison of Yellowstone National park!

Major and Minor: Environmental Science Major, Biology Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Favorite Jan Term: Battle of the Beverage Titans: Coffee versus Tea
What is a Gael? Well for starters a Gael is not a bird or a gust of wind, rather a Gael is a tough Irish Warrior of sorts.

Student Involvement:  Project Green Officer, Honors Program, (SUP)port Justice
Favorite East Bay landmark: Papillion Coffee in Lafayette
Hidden Talent: Whistling
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? One hundred and fifty years of an amazing college history as well as a promise for a bright future that is only going to improve upon an already wonderful place to thrive at!

Taylor Elliot, ‘15
Citrus Heights, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Either work as a private Financial Advisor or work for the Federal Reserve.

Major and Minor: Economics Major, Business Administration Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Symposium
Favorite Jan Term: Accelerated Japanese
What is a Gael? Anybody who embodies the spirit of Saint Mary’s College! (Or literally a person who is of Gaelic descent.)

Student Involvement:  Honors Program, Intramural Sports, Republicans Club
Favorite East Bay landmark: Oakland Coliseum/Oracle Arena
Hidden Talent: Being able to memorize the lyrics to just about any song after hearing it only a few times.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Shows the longevity and success of Saint Mary’s. It is about honoring a tradition of quality education and service that has been going on at this institution for 150 years with many more years sure to come.

Patrick Harrington, ‘15
Fullerton, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a lawyer.

Major and Minor: Intergral Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Hamlet
Favorite Jan Term: Constructing Short Stories
What is a Gael? A member of the Saint Mary’s community.

Student Involvement: Relay for Life Entertainment Chairman
Favorite East Bay landmark: Pennini’s
Hidden Talent: I’m really good at board games.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? A long and interesting history of Saint Mary’s College.

Caitie Healing, ‘13
San Ramon, California

What do you want to do when you grow up?  Work in the California prison system or with San Francisco Police Department as a psychologist and forensic analyst.

Major and Minor:  Personality Psychology Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Emma by Jane Austen
Favorite Jan Term:  Around the World in 16 Days
What is a Gael?  Not a bird. Not a gust of wind.  A fierce knight that puts bulldogs in the pound and broncos in the stables.

Student Involvement:  Psychology Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Relay for Life
Favorite East Bay landmark:  Lafayette Reservoir
Hidden Talent:  I’m a walking, talking Internet Movie Database application.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you?  It means that I am graduating with the BEST class in 150 years!

Jennifer Johnston, ‘13
Reno, Nevada

What do you want to do when you grow up?  I would like to be a teacher abroad in Europe.

Major and Minor:  English major
Favorite Seminar Book:  Emma by Jane Austen
Favorite Jan Term: Chocolate Confections of a Chocoholic. 
What is a Gael? A fearless, gaelic knight who never looks danger in the face unblinkingly and never loses! 
 
Student Involvement: PRIDE, Pulses, American Cancer Society Relay For Life
Favorite East Bay landmark: Trivia Night at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek
Hidden Talent: I can cook eggs any way you can think of!
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Sesquicentennial means I am part of the best thing to happen to mankind since the wheel! 

Nicholas Kinda, ‘15
Napa, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Imagineer for the Disney Corporation

Major and Minor: 3+2 Engineering Major
Favorite Seminar Book: On the Nature of the Universe by Lucretius
Favorite Jan Term: Creating Theatre for Young Adults
What is a Gael? A Gael is any supporter of the Lasallian ideals.

Student Involvement:  Outdoor Adventures, technical support for the clubs/Theatre, Intramural Basketball Coach
Favorite East Bay landmark: San Francisco Creamery
Hidden Talent: Imitations and noises
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? The sesquicentennial is proof of the dedication to excellence and the strength of the community present here at Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s unique ideals about learning and growth has allowed it to thrive for one-hundred and fifty years, while making it one of the finest institutions of higher education.

Jeffrey Klink, ‘15
San Jose, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Graduate from medical school and become a doctor.

Major and Minor: Health Science Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Dante’s Inferno
Favorite Jan Term:  Christian Service Internship in Nicaragua
What is a Gael?  A Gael is someone who stands out in the crowd. They take on a form of leadership in their own way and do not turn back. We are the few, the proud, the future.

Student Involvement:  SMC Glee Club, Chamber Choir, Orientation Leader, Academic Honor Council
Favorite East Bay landmark: Rheem Theater
Hidden Talent:  Drawing and solving the Rubik’s Cube
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Sesquicentennial means a point where we can see how far we have come as a community. Our reflection of the years will assist in passing on both old and new traditions, lessons, and opportunities for future members of the Saint Mary’s College community.

Alex Kummert, ‘15
Woodinville, Washington

What do you want to do when you grow up? Movie star.

Major and Minor: Communication Major
Favorite Seminar Book: Dante’s Inferno
Favorite Jan Term:  History of Rock and Roll I
What is a Gael? An ambitious individual that is passionate not only about improving themselves, but the community they are surrounded by as well.

Student Involvement:  The Lounge at Saint Mary’s, Gael Force
Favorite East Bay landmark: Morucci’s Si Mangia Bene
Hidden Talent: I can click my heels.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? A really long period of time, success, and service.

David Lobato Jr., ‘13
San Francisco, California

 

What do you want to do when you grow up? Become a Giants baseball executive in sales or promotions.

Major and Minor: Business Major
Favorite Seminar Book:  Dante’s Inferno
Favorite Jan Term: Films of Spike Lee
What is a Gael? A Gael is one of two guys with the blue and red wigs at the basketball games. We are essentially warriors.

Student Involvement: Carnival-4-Kids Co-Chair
Favorite East Bay landmark: Fenton’s Creamery
Hidden Talent: Giants fanatic
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? I am both part of the 150^th class to graduate from Saint Mary’s and proud to be part of an outstanding school.

Ryan Lonergan, ‘13
Hughson, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Get my masters and Ph.D in education and dedicate my time to service work and helping change the world.

Major and Minor: Kinesiology
Favorite Seminar Book: The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Favorite Jan Term: Extreme Musicianship
What is a Gael? A mighty Gaelic Warrior just like Mel Gibson in Braveheart

Student Involvement:  Jazz Band, Gaelforce, working in conference services, housing, and student life.
Favorite East Bay landmark: Tilden Regional Park
Hidden Talent: Fly Fishing
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Established, Longevity, and of course a 150 years of Saint Mary’s pride.

Taylor Machado, ‘15
Turlock, California

What do you want to do when you grow up?  Be a corporate recruiter or college representative.

Major and Minor: Business Administration Major with a concentration in Marketing
Favorite Seminar Book: The Handbook by Epictetus
Favorite Jan Term: Modern Financial Markets
What is a Gael?  A Gael is someone wanting to pursue their dream for the purpose of changing the world around them.

Student Involvement:  Founder and Chair of Nine Islands and Beyond Portuguese Club, Board Member of the School of Economics and Business Student Advisory Board,  Founder of “Be Mine” Service Project
Favorite East Bay landmark:  San Francisco Creamy in Walnut Creek
Hidden Talent:  I am a master baker.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you?  Sesquicentennial to me means that Saint Mary’s has perfected the art of Lasallian learning and we are only going to continue to grow.

Jazo Moises, ‘13
Vallejo, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Be editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone.

Major and Minor: Communication Major
Favorite Seminar Book:  Shakespeare’s The Tempest
Favorite Jan Term: American Television Criticism
What is a Gael? Amazing. Engaged. Energetic.

Student Involvement:  Resident Advisor, Class of 2013 Senator, Detour Editor for The Collegian
Favorite East Bay landmark:  Pixar Studios
Hidden Talent:  I’m good at math. Math is a talent, right?
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? The best class in the history of Saint Mary’s College.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of the 150^th graduating class?

Joe Murphy, ‘14
Glendale, Arizona

What do you want to do when you grow up? Research at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or be an astronaut.

Major and Minor: Physics Major, Math Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: The Prince by Machiavelli
Favorite Jan Term: The United Nations in Review
What is a Gael? A Gael is an exceptional mascot for an exceptional school.

Student Involvement:  Teaching Assistant for Physics labs, spending time with the International Club, playing any and all intramural sports
Favorite East Bay landmark: Nation’s Giant Hamburgers
Hidden Talents: I’m very good at fighting crime, wearing a cape, and suppressing my crippling fear of bats.What does sesquicentennial mean to you? To me, sesquicentennial means celebrating something important that happened one and a half (sesqui-) hundred years (centennial) ago.

Jules Perez, ‘14
Rodeo, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? Become a teacher and change the world through our youth.

Major and Minor: Psychology Major, Philosophy Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Plato’s Meno
Favorite Jan Term:  Looking forward to taking a class about Hip Hop
What is a Gael? A Gael is not only a Celtic warrior. It’s someone who loves Saint Mary’s with much pride and honor! Being a Gael is having passion and energy for the school. 

Student Involvement: Saint Patrick's Rodeo Youth Ministry Confirmation, Youth For Christ
Favorite East Bay landmark: The Oracle Arena for Golden State Warrior Games
Hidden Talent: Rapping
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? It’s celebrating 150 years of excellent education under the Lasallian tradition. One hundred and fifty years of teachers who continuously pushed their students to their potential.

Kayla Riley, ‘15
Elk Grove, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be an entertainment lawyer.

Major and Minor: Communication Major, Social Justice Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Arabian Nights
Favorite Jan Term: The Undergraduate
What is a Gael? A Gael is a person who speaks Gaelic or their ancestors did.

Student Involvement: Black Student Union Women’s President, Psalms 119
Favorite East Bay landmark: Walnut Creek shopping center
Hidden Talent: Many people don’t know that I enjoy singing and I am an avid golfer.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Sesquicentennial means that what we believe and teach here at Saint Mary's has been able to stay relevant and endure the test of time.

Samantha Ruiz, ‘13
Wildomar, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to working for an intelligence agency like the FBI or the CIA.

Major and Minor: Politics Major
Favorite Seminar Book: The Odyssey
Favorite Jan Term: Choreography
What is a Gael? An Irish Warrior

Student Involvement: Gael Force
Favorite East Bay landmark: Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley
Hidden Talent: I’m a pretty good cook (I think).
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? One hundred and fifty years of being proud Gaels.

Lucas Shimizu, ‘14
Hagatna, Guam

What do you want to do when you grow up? Be a successful lawyer.

Major and Minor: Integral Liberal Arts Major
Favorite Seminar Book:  On Being and Essence, St. Thomas Aquinas
Favorite Jan Term: Understanding International Law
What is a Gael? An Irish warrior.

Student Involvement:  Liturgical Music Minister, Saint Mary’s College Glee Club & Chamber Singers
Favorite East Bay landmark: Saint Mary’s College Chapel
Hidden Talent: I can play the piano.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? 150 years of affirming a commitment to Excellence.

Jenny Tolcher, ‘15
Westlake Village, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I would like to be a pediatrician and open up my own practice with my dad.

Major and Minor: Biology Major with a Psychology Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Say I Am You by Rumi
Favorite Jan Term: When World Views Collide: Science vs. Religion
What is a Gael? God is a Gael. No but really, it’s a Celtic Warrior? I think.

Student Involvement: Educated Learning Facilitator, CILSA (Catholic Institute for LaSallian Social Action)
Favorite East Bay landmark: Grizzly Peak
Hidden Talent: Knitting and crocheting
What does sesquicentennial mean to you?  It means my school has been around and remained a desirable school for a really long time (150 years!).

Sarah Woolston, ‘14
Sacramento, California

What do you want to do when you grow up? I will become the youngest recipient of the Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for my outstanding critically acclaimed talk show. My law degree and experience in the court room will also allow me to defend Hollywood heavy hitters like Justin Timberlake, my husband. 

Major and Minor: Politics, Communications  Minor
Favorite Seminar Book: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Jan Term: Tool or Toy: The History of the Bicycle
What is a Gael? A Gael is a passionate, proud pupil who chants “SMC” when necessary, casually reads Homer, cringes at the mention of a “Bulldog” or “Bronco,” and has a perpetual stamp on their hand from dining at Oliver Hall.

Student Involvement:  Honors Program Member, Intramural sports player
Favorite East Bay landmark: C.R.E.A.M (THE ice cream sandwich shop of Berkeley)
Hidden Talent: I know every word of every Britney Spears song released before 2000.
What does sesquicentennial mean to you? Sesquicentennial means rich tradition. It means we belong to a college that is successful in its commitment to education and helping students become well-rounded alumni. Basically, our school is older than McDonald’s and Disneyland, combined!