Three winners at Student Leadership Celebration

Making their marks: From left, Molly Floberg ’26, Aya Banaja ’26, and Jura McAfee ’27 were just a few of the many Gaels recognized at the 2025 Student Leadership Celebration. / Photo courtesy Julie Schaff

2025 Student Leadership Awards: A Time to Recognize the Changemakers at Saint Mary’s

Meet some students and staff who are shaping and transforming the SMC community. Dozens of Gaels were celebrated for their contributions throughout the 2024–25 academic year.

by Katie Hayek '28 and Maddy Hunter '27 | June 30, 2025

As part of the celebrations for the end of the academic year, the annual Saint Mary’s Student Leadership Awards were held to appreciate those who make and shape the Saint Mary’s community. Hosted by the Division of Student Life—alongside with Mission & Ministry, Admissions, and Student Success—the event on May 8 recognized students, student organizations, and staff who have shown outstanding leadership, support, and dedication to the SMC community. Nominations were provided by students, faculty and staff in honor of their fellow community members.

Along with awards recognizing top leaders, organizations, and programs, the awards highlighted first-year and transfer students as “Rising Stars” and second-year students emerging as “Luminaries” in their leadership and support of the student community.

Aya Banaja '25 and Victoria Diaz '25 — **Aya Banaja ’26**, left, honored as Student Leader of the Year, and **Victoria Diaz ’25**, right, recipient of the Brother Dominic Berardelli Lasallian Leadership Award / *Photos courtesy Student Disability Services and Baile Folklorico Guadalupano*

Student Leader of the Year Award | Aya Banaja ’26

In a night shining a spotlight on community pride, Aya Banaja ’26 came to the stage to accept the Student Leader of the Year Award. Her commitment, hard work, dedication, and passion have shaped her contributions as Vice President of the Psych Club, a Student Worker at Student Disability Services, a Prep Program Leader, member of the Student Coalition Against Abuse and Rape (SCAAR), a research assistant, and a Connect Leader. In March, Banaja was invited to present at SMC’s Student Leadership Conference, where she demonstrated her approach to leadership in a presentation titled “Leading with Love: Emotional Intelligence & Empathy in Leadership.”

A common theme emerges from Banaja’s participation on campus: eagerness to support and serve her peers in educational, social, emotional, and creative areas. Beginning this fall, she’ll continue that work as a Resident Advisor.

Brother Dominic Berardelli Lasallian Leadership Award | Victoria Diaz ’25

Victoria Diaz ’25 earned the Brother Dominic Berardelli Lasallian Leadership Award due to her grace and determination as co-president of this year’s Student Organization of the Year, Baile Folklórico Guadalupano. Along with Co-president and choreographer Citlali Gallo ’25, she and the group worked to foster a productive, enthusiastic, and fun environment celebrating Latine cultural heritage through dance. As he presented Diaz with the award, Brother David Caretti, FSC ’99 spoke of her diligent, approachable, and empowering personality. “[Diaz’s] leadership is marked by kindness and encouragement, creating a nurturing environment that fosters growth and collaboration,” Caretti said.

folklorico dancing inside — A showstopping 2022 performance of Baile Folklórico Guadalupano. The dance and cultural group won this year's Student Organization of the Year award. / *Photo by Francis Tatem*

Student Organization of the Year | Baile Folklórico Guadalupano

The Baile Folklórico Guadalupano Club was recognized for its commitment to celebrating the richness of Latine culture through the medium of dance. Collaborating with La Hermandad, the High Potential Program, the Asian Pacific American Student Association (APASA), and the Intercultural Center, they put on many vibrant events, including Día del Niño and Día de los Muertos. By showcasing “the unique tapestry of their cultural heritage,” as the Intercultural Center’s Kimiya Shokri shared in her remarks, the work and performances of the club continue to draw the Saint Mary’s community closer together.

Molly Floberg and Alexis Hackett — **Molly Floberg ’26,** left, received the Advocacy In Action award, and **Alexis Hackett ’26**, right, received the Leading for Change Award. / *Photos by Julie Scaff and Francis Tatem*

Advocacy in Action | Molly Floberg ’26

The recipient of the Advocacy in Action Award, Molly Floberg ’26 served as the president of the Diversabilities Club, advocating for a more equitable, inclusive campus community. Floberg has certainly demonstrated her commitment to fostering a community rooted in a sense of belonging: This year, she gave a presentation alongside staff from Student Disabilities Services (SDS) at the Student Leadership Conference on how to make events accessible and inclusive, and provided strategies to combat ableism on campus. She also organized this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration, hosted by SDS, and is working to develop a cultural graduation celebration for disabled and neurodiverse students in 2026.

Leading for Change | Alexis Hackett ’26

Alexis Hackett ’26 was recognized for her commitment to creating positive changes at SMC as a leader in numerous clubs, including the Japanese Pop Culture Club (J-Pop), the Native American and Indigenous Students Association (NAISA), and the Black Student Union (BSU). Through initiatives such as the J-Pop Sakura Festival and the Intercultural Center’s Cultural Night Showcase, Hackett has encouraged her teams to continually improve, demonstrating a spirit of personal development. Highlights of her accomplishments this year include creating a new club, supporting clubs in need of assistance, and crafting programs that pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion. “This student leader is a change maker not as actions from their role, but as a fundamental part of their being,” said Angelica Marie Santos ’23 in presenting the award.

Trans Week of Visibility 2025 leadership — The leaders who made Trans Week of Visibility, which received the Program of the Year award: Back, from left: **Melody Ng**, **Rose Velasquez**, **Kimiya Shokri**, **Rebekah Weldele**, **Amana Williams**, and **Rebecca Carranza**. Front, from left: **Gaby Canedo**, **Olivia Burke**, **Franchesca Ria Mariano**, **Alexis Hackett**, **Kaila Harris**, and **Mitchell Foster** / *Photo by Sofia Mastroianni*

Program of the Year | Trans Week of Visibility

This year’s award for Program of the Year went to the PRIDE Club and the Intercultural Center, directed by Mitchell Foster. Their Trans Week of Visibility program featured a weeklong series of events designed to empower and offer solidarity to transgender individuals on campus and beyond. As Sam Alberto ’12, MA ’19 noted when presenting the award, “In a time of unrelenting hate and danger towards the trans community, [the organizers] were committed to creating and hosting the series, and showed up consistently and joyfully.”

Kimiya Shokri portrait — **Kimiya Shokri ’19,** Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center, received the Spirit of Saint Mary’s award./ Photo by Francis Tatem

Spirit of Saint Mary’s | Kimiya Shokri ’19

Kimiya Shokri ’19, Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center, received this award, which recognizes SMC faculty and staff members who have an active presence within the SMC community. In her remarks, Megan Gallagher, Director of CARE Center, applauded Shokri for embodying positivity. “SMC wouldn't be as warm without their engagement and care,” Gallagher said. Going out of her way to support student-sponsored events and programs, Shokri consistently collaborates, supports events, and is available to offer guidance when students need it.

**Jura McAfee ’27**, left, and **Savana Harper ’27**, right, were recognized with the Unsung Hero Award. */ Photos courtesy Jura McAfee and Savana Harper*

Unsung Hero Award | Jura McAfee ’27 and Savana Harper ’27

This award spotlights student employees who work hard behind the scenes, exceeding expectations to support students, coworkers, and supervisors.

Jura McAfee ’27 is the Assistive Technology Student Assistant in the Student Disabilities Services (SDS) Office, ensuring students’ comfort and confidence in using the assistive technology available to them. Through her dedication, problem-solving skills, and commitment to accessibility, McAfee has had a significant impact on both the students she assists and on the SDS department as a whole.

Savana Harper ’27 Is truly a jack of all trades: In addition to working for both the Club Sports Department and the Joseph Alioto Recreation Center, she also became the primary livestream board operator for Men’s Rugby after filling in on short notice. Going above and beyond, Harper worked to enhance the broadcast through new graphics and animations, demonstrating her commitment to making game day operations at Saint Mary’s the best they can be.

Student conversing with others at Student Leadership Celebration — **Avait Padwal ’25,** center, received the Student Activities & Engagement Leadership Award, presented to graduating students who have made an outsize impact on campus. */ Photo by Richard Trinh*

Rising Stars, Luminaries, and Departmental Awards

As part of the evening, departments within the Division of Student Life spotlighted the contributions of their student staff. These departments include Campus Assault Response and Education (CARE), the Center for Women and Gender Equity, the Mission and Ministry Center, Student Activities and Engagement, the Office of the Registrar, and Campus Recreation and Club Sports. These students organized social and educational events, working to design inclusive programming and to support students, faculty, and staff.

In addition to recognizing top student leaders, the awards program also highlights first-year, second-year, and transfer students who are helping nurture a sense of community throughout the SMC student body. Keep an eye out for more from these Gaels in the years to come.

Rising Star Award

This award is given to first-year and transfer students who have exemplified outstanding leadership and involvement during their first year at Saint Mary’s.

Kaylin Perry
Bella Buoncristiani
Eloise Hampson
Hannah Parkinson
Aubrey Bonham
Luka Kawamoto
Franchesca Ria Mariano
Zara Alam
Jaden Tiu
Mary Carter
Amy Unruh
Preanna Aguilar
Coco Gaston
Juliette Rivera
Mary Zewde
Gianna Corona
Mariana Ramirez Herrera
Stephanie Espinosa
Lucy Espinosa
Joe Augello

Luminary Award

This award recognizes second-year students who have demonstrated leadership, involvement, and have been positive influences on their classmates and peers.