 |
Barakah Amaral (Turlock, CA) is currently in her second year at Saint Mary’s College and is pursuing a major in philosophy and a minor in history. She represented her freshman class as a senate officer, while working part-time off-campus. She loves the positive energy that she sees at Saint Mary’s around the campus and in the classrooms. Because of her own positive experience with the Orientation program, Barakah wants to leave that same impact on the incoming students. |
 |
Tommy Bell (Fontana, CA) is a senior politics major with a minor in economics. Tommy is involved in the Associated Students of SMC, supervising the Dryden game room, and club lacrosse. He has also traveled to New Orleans in 2007 and 2008 for Jan Term course work. Tommy recalls Orientation as being the first opportunity to enjoy the Saint Mary’s community. In his spare time, Tommy enjoys playing music, traveling, and being adventurous. |
 |
Stephanie Carlsen (Petaluma, CA) is a sophomore pursuing a double major in biology and mathematics. She remembers everyone at Orientation being extremely welcoming and excited for her to join the Gael community. Stephanie is a part of the Honors community on campus, and works in the Financial Aid office. In her free time, she attends SMC basketball games and plays in the Intramural League on campus. |
 |
John Dixon (Monterey, CA) is a junior majoring in theater. He says, “I was apprehensive about attending Orientation, but when I met my group I realized that everyone was nervous and from that moment I began to feel more comfortable.” John enjoys the Saint Mary’s theater department which allows him to experience the various forms of art conducted on campus and in San Francisco. This is his first year as an Orientation Leader and he is excited to help incoming students get a good start at Saint Mary’s. |
 |
Nalui Garcia (Berkeley, CA) is an integral major who adores Saint Mary’s beautiful and intellectual campus. Since she loves order and knowledge, it is no wonder that she works at the library, where she enjoys helping out students and faculty. In addition, she worked during the summer as a High Potential program mentor, where she was able to build her leadership skills and help inspire her peers. To her, being a part of Saint Mary’s College means actively living out the Lasallian mission in day to day life. |
 |
Liz Godinez (Redwood City, CA) is a junior majoring in history and minoring in Spanish. She is currently involved in CILSA (Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action), is a member of the Student Rank and Tenure Committee and is the first in her family to attend college. What she loves most about Saint Mary’s is the beautiful campus and the wonderful professors. In her free time Liz enjoys going to rugby games, hanging out with friends, and meeting new people. |
 |
Eileen Larkin (Pleasant Hill, CA) spent last fall studying in Ireland and is excited to be back for her senior year at Saint Mary’s. She loves being involved, especially as an Orientation Leader, and is incredibly thankful for the opportunities that the school has provided. One of the aspects that Eileen loves about SMC is the strong sense of community she feels. |
 |
Ashley Martin (Elk Grove, CA) is a psychology major and her favorite things about Saint Mary’s are the beautiful campus and the strong sense of community between the students and faculty. Ashley was a Weekend of Welcome Leader last year and she cannot wait to welcome more new students during Orientation! In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, hanging out with friends, and traveling. |
 |
Kris McNamara (Aptos, CA) is a sophomore in the 2+2 pre-nursing program and hopes to be a pediatric nurse. She is involved in many clubs on campus including Hermanas Unidas, the Asian Pacific American Student Association, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. She has a passion for foreign languages and cultures and plans to live abroad after college. She calls Saint Mary’s her ideal campus “because of its diversity and inclusive community.” |
 |
Whitney Medved (Golden, CO) is a senior English major who participates on the SMC women’s rowing team, has held various positions with the campus newspaper, and takes part in community service when possible. One of her favorite parts about Saint Mary’s is the hills that surround the College. Whitney is an Orientation Leader because she wants to help new students find their own favorite parts of the College. |
 |
Monica Mendez (San Diego, CA) is a sophomore pursuing a major in psychology. Through CILSA (Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action), Monica travels into Oakland biweekly to help in a preschool classroom as a member of the Jumpstart program. Monica loves Saint Mary’s unique traditions such as walking up to the cross and painting the SMC with friends during the Weekend of Welcome. This is her first year as an Orientation Leader and she is excited to meet all of our new Gaels! |
 |
Gianna Pascale (San Diego, CA) is a sophomore majoring in liberal and civic studies and minoring in sociology. Gianna has participated in numerous service projects though CILSA (Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action) as well as helping out in the Mission and Ministry Center. Gianna loves how willing, helpful, and attentive the faculty and staff are towards their students. “I remember meeting my best friend at Orientation when we were in the same group and discovered that we were both from San Diego,” she says. Gianna would love to make every freshman’s Orientation experience as memorable as hers. |
 |
Malini Prasad (Santa Clara, CA) has taken advantage of the numerous opportunities Saint Mary's has to offer. She has studied abroad in Spain for a semester, volunteered at inner city schools, and worked on campus in Human Resources. She is a senior majoring in liberal and civic studies who cannot wait to welcome new students! |
 |
Lauren Scranton (Lake Oswego, OR) is a senior integral major. She spent the 2007 fall semester abroad studying at Oxford University and is excited to promote study abroad through her work in Saint Mary’s Center for International Programs (CIP). Lauren also loves the close-knit community at SMC and values the relationships she has made with the faculty and staff. In addition to working for CIP, Lauren is involved with the Tango Club, is an avid equestrian, and loves making great smoothies. |
 |
Sierra Smith (Discovery Bay, CA) is a junior majoring in communication and minoring in politics. She is the first in her family to attend college and decided on Saint Mary’s because of its personable atmosphere. Sierra is involved with the Associated Students of SMC and is currently the Speaker of the Senate. In her free time she enjoys going to sporting events, playing tennis, and cooking. |
 |
Martin Torres (San Diego, CA) is a senior in the integral program, a rare major offered at Saint Mary’s College. Martin is a member of the SMC Law Club and has been an Orientation Leader for three years. He enjoys traveling and discussing politics. Martin spent the fall semester in Oxford and recommends study abroad to all SMC students. |
 |
Sergio Trejo (San Francisco, CA) is a psychology major who is involved in diverse programs such as Students Reaching Consciousness, the Psych Club and student government. The office of New Student and Family Programs at Saint Mary’s has made it possible for him to build his student experience and would now like to enhance other first year students by being the best Orientation Leader he can be! |
 |
Sam Westermann (Walnut Creek, CA) is very involved on campus dabbling in a number of activities including playing club lacrosse, working in the Admissions Office, and being president of Gael Force. His favorite part about Saint Mary’s College is the community atmosphere, “Being at SMC makes me feel a part of one big family.” Sam loves to spend his spare time snowboarding and hanging out his friends. |
 |
Rebecca Wright (Los Angeles, CA) is a senior integral major. She spent the 2007 fall semester abroad in England which was a great experience for her, both academically and personally. Aside from working for Orientation, Rebecca also works in Dryden Hall and in the Hearst Art Gallery. She loves the sense of being part of a community and feels that at Saint Mary’s it is easy to get involved and find something to be passionate about. |
