In Her Own Words: Amaya Simoni-Walters’ story is one of two award-winning first-person series from Saint Mary’s that has earned a nod for excellence. / Photo by Francis Tatem
Stories from the Saint Mary’s Community Are Inspiring. Now the Storytelling Itself Is Being Recognized as Among the Best in the West
The series “In Their Own Words” and “Making Family History” highlight voices of the Gael community. This year they earned honors from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Saint Mary’s College of California has earned recognition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for two series of stories that highlight voices of the Gael community. “In Their Own Words” and “Making Family History” were both honored as among the best series in the west. The awards, which recognize the caliber of the writing that shapes meaningful stories, were judged by peers in higher education and were announced earlier this month.
Saint Mary’s is the only college to earn multiple awards for a series or collection of stories. Other universities winning in the category in the western region include UCLA, San Diego State, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For the competition overall, awards were submitted from schools throughout California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As CASE notes, this large geographic area includes every size and type of institution. Winners in other categories include Caltech, Stanford, Pomona College, and UC Berkeley.
The winning first-person stories are in the voices of Saint Mary’s undergraduates and graduate students, alumni, and staff—from a student who led the Native American and Indigenous Student Association to an Olympic medalist, from a data science pioneer to the SMC Chaplain, from a professional dancer and media entrepreneur to a Sports Management major. And the series represents a truly collaborative effort.
Credit for initiating both series over the past several years goes to SMC Associate Editor Hayden Royster, who also has the byline on most of the stories recognized with these awards by CASE. Award-winning photographer Francis Tatem shot portraits for most of the stories. Student Writer Sam Nobile ’25 and Graduate Editorial Fellow Jordan Sapp, MFA ’25 also earn bylines, as does Steven Saum, who heads up strategic communications and content for the College.
“We know Saint Mary’s has inspiring stories to tell, and it’s wonderful to see both of these series recognized,” said Saum. “We want to amplify the voices of the Gael community—students, alumni, faculty, and staff. As writers, we do that through thoughtful questions, careful listening, respectful editing, and photographic portraits that capture the dignity of every person. There’s a reason we call our team ‘storycatchers,’” Saum also notes, “because we find stories and help give shape and form to them. Everyone on the team should be proud of their role in these awards—Hayden for spearheading these projects, and Sam and Jordan for what they brought to their work. They’re young writers who approach their craft with intelligence and care—and who have learned how to tell a story with a sense of: You’ve got to read this.”
In Their Own Words: The Saint Mary’s Community
“In Their Own Words” is a series in which we introduce you to the Gaels you need to meet—students, alums, faculty, and staff—and let them tell their stories, in their own words. Here are the winning stories.
In Their Own Words: Amaya Simoni-Walters ’24 on Bringing Her Native Experience to SMC, Biology, and Beyond
Like her mother, she's looking for ways to intertwine Native practices and knowledge with her passion for science. As President of SMC's Native American and Indigenous Student Association, too, she’s striving to create community and raise awareness. | By Sam Nobile ’25
In Their Own Words: Father Kwame Assenyoh on ‘Restoring Humanity’s Inherent Diversity’—in Ghana, Louisiana, and Here and Now
Originally from Ghana, his first experience as a pastor was overseeing Black Catholic parishes in the American South. Now he’s the new Chaplain at SMC, encouraging students to embrace the Lasallian principle of “respect for all persons.” | By Hayden Royster
In Their Own Words: Alex Chester-Iwata ’21 on Life Onstage and Off—and How SMC Provided Just the LEAP She Wanted
From child model to teen pop artist to Broadway actor, Chester-Iwata has had her share of the spotlight. Now, as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Mixed Asian Media, she’s showcasing the experiences of multiracial performers like herself. | By Hayden Royster
In Their Own Words: Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey MA ’95 on Life as an Olympian, Sports Psychologist, TV Commentator, and More
She won bronze in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. And it was graduate study at Saint Mary’s that set her on a career trajectory as a sports psychologist, tackling questions many athletes have when their competive careers have ended. | By Steven Boyd Saum
In Their Own Words: Andrew Aroutynov ’24 on Being a ‘Data Science Pioneer’ and Doing Classwork with a Fortune 500 Company
He’s one of the first graduates of the new Data Science program. He’s worked on projects with NASA and Chevron. And he recently won the inaugural Ada Lovelace Award. What has he appreciated most about SMC? “The opportunities,” he says. | By Hayden Royster
Making Family History: Voices of First-Generation Students at Saint Mary’s
“Making Family History” showcases a range of voices from the Gael community—including students, alumni, facility, and staff. When Saint Mary’s was established in 1863, its founder had first-generation students in mind. Joseph Alemany, San Francisco’s first archbishop, envisioned a college for the “children of Miners, Mechanics, and Agriculturists,” the working people of the fledgling state.
According to the most recent data, around one in three Saint Mary’s students today are trailblazers, the first in their family to pursue a college degree. For many first-generation students—“First-Gens,” as they often refer to themselves—the journey to and through college brings unique struggles—and surprises. We regularly ask First-Gen Gaels to share, in their own words, their history, hopes, and advice for the next generation. Here are the winning stories.
Making Family History: Gabriela Canedo ’27 on Navigating her Latine Identity and ‘Creating Spaces of Healing’ Through the Intercultural Center
Thanks in part to the High Potential Program, Canedo has connected with her heritage in new ways. Now, as a Social Justice Advocate in the IC, she’s striving to offer opportunities for Gaels to engage in “self-understanding and self-work.” | By Hayden Royster
Making Family History: Integral Major Richard Trinh ’24 on the Importance of Creating Space, in the Classroom and the Canon
He's a first-generation college student whose parents immigrated from Vietnam. He's president of the Asian Pacific American Student Association. And here’s why he and his family value the unique pedagogy of SMC’s Integral Program. | By Jordan Sapp, MFA ’25
Making Family History: Jose Miranda ’25 on Baile Folklórico, Mentorship, and the Importance of Putting Yourself out There
The Sports Management major is a first-generation college student who aspires to work with the San Francisco 49ers. Ultimately, he says, it’s students in the High Potential Program and faculty who have given him the confidence to risk and succeed. | By Sam Nobile ’25
Earlier this year Saint Mary’s also earned awards for photography and design in the Collegiate Advertising Awards and from the University and College Design Association.
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