Laurel Awards is the end-of-the-year celebration for most undergraduate degree programs at Mount Saint Mary's University’s Doheny Campus. Modeled on the ancient Greek custom of bestowing laurel wreaths on Olympic victors, this celebration is a time to recognize our graduates and those receiving special honors. Originating in 1974, this annual award ceremony celebrates the success of students with faculty, staff, administration, and family. We thank you for all you have done to contribute to student life at the Mount in support of your peers and the entire community.
We honor the Sisters of St. Joseph, founded to help women achieve all of which we are capable. We celebrate by bestowing laurels: the symbol of victory for the ancient Greeks, and the symbol of academic achievement and service in our own day. We call to mind the motto of Mount Saint Mary’s University: Deus illuminatio mea, or God is my light, so that we may remember that the gifts God has bestowed on us are meant to illumine and serve the world.
With God’s light to guide us on our path, we can say with St. Paul: I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith. St. Matthew tells us that Jesus said to us: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Academic Department Awards
Faculty selected students for the following awards, based upon their academic achievement and future promise.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program
Civility and Respect Award: Luis R. Carrillo
Kind and Caring Award: Bernadette Salenga
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
Most Promising Student Award: Guadalupe Ramos
To Succeed Is the Goal Award: Marnisha Wright
Diligence Award: Abner Ramirez
Department of Business Administration
Academic Excellence in Business Administration Award: Jasmine Siguenza
Outstanding Student in Business Writing Award: Yazmin Panduro Aquino
Department of English
国产传媒 Online Outstanding Achievement in Writing and Literature Awards:
Haede Elias Quijada
Claudia Mejia
Mary-Elizabeth Sadduk
Fern Santos
Lara Shannel
Tanya Quevedo
Traditional Undergraduate Programs Outstanding Achievement in Writing Awards:
Sandra Aguilar
Darlene Arceo Montenegro
Sienna Atendido
Grecia Carrera
Jacqueline Dominguez
December Dorton
Marianey Figueroa
Lisa Gomez
Gabriela Jimenez
Gabrielle Marquez
Annabelle Mendoza
Sydney Rojas
Samantha Sanchez
Vanessa Valencia
Alyssa Villa
Department of History and Political Science
Outstanding Achievement of a Political Science Student Award: Alondra Sosa
Pre-Health Nursing Program
Exceptional Achievement of a Second Year Student Award: Melanie Andrade
Department of Psychology
Achievement of a Liberal Arts/Psychology Student Award: Gisselle de Anda
Outstanding Achievement of a Liberal Arts/Psychology Student Awards:
Jennifer Aragon
Viviana Jimenez
Elennie Hernandez
Deja Spears
Evelyn Jeronimo
Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program
Conscientious Award: Robert-Joseph Avila
Perseverence Award: Sumayya Saiyad
Diligence Awards:
Maricarmen Alvarez
Ridge Matthew Echiverri
Latora Nall
The Mother Margaret Mary Brady Award
Recognizes a graduating Weekend/Evening College student who has been fully engaged in the university experience. The student should be active in their program, embody ethical decision-making and integrity, and serve as a recognized role model for other students. Strong academic achievement is included in the criteria for this award.
Alina Asmarian
Students Graduating With Honors
Forty-one of our Doheny students are expected to graduate with honors. These students have established and maintained an overall minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher through their final fall semester in their degree programs. They will wear honor cords at the commencement ceremony in August at the Shrine Auditorium.
Milene Andino
Sandra Aguilar
Narineh Arakilian
Madison Ascencio
Abigail Avendano
Kristin Caro
Casondra Cerecedes
Madeline Chavez
Valerie Chavez
Eunice Dogbey
Erica Egar
Quennie Enad
Vannessa Estrada
Monique Eusebio
Nicole Fichera
Maria Gutierrez Rivas
Jacqueline Hernandez
Megan Innamorato
Margarita Lechuga
Tricia Lim
Natalie Lizalde
Cecilia Lucatero
Andrea Lugo
Stephanie Manzo
Jasmine Marquez
Katherine Martinez
Frances Mercado
Vicente Mojares
Yvette Molina
Nayeli Montalvan
Krystal Morales
Phyllis Mungai
Nneka Nwobodo
Cristal Peña
Daisy Pineda
Anahita Pirnazari
Noah-Noah Pujanes-Mantor
Jasmine Siguenza
Kathleen Sundquist
Vanessa Valencia
Benton Williams
Leadership and Service Awards
We acknowledge the following students for their commitment to organizations across the Doheny campus:
Campus Ministers
Alezey Cortez
Ashley Espinoza
Karen Garcia Diaz
Brenda Martinez
Graciela Orozco
Valerie Peña
Madison Serna
Josephine Vargas
Raeleene Wilbur
Club and Organization Presidents
Kaylah Hernandez,
Black Student Union
Jasmine Siguenza,
Business Club
Vania Bravo,
Latinas Unidas (Doheny)
Veronica Muñoz,
Mount Future Nurses Club
Dean's Student Council
Vania Bravo
Jennie Ekpa
Ky’Mari Love
Kamaria Purvis)
Doheny Student Activities Council
Savannah Sanchez,
Chair
Spirit Coordinators:
Andrea Cortave
Lizette Gonzalez
Spirit Team:
Samantha Alderete
Andrea Bernal
Nicole Berumen
Kathleen Perez,
Chair
Natalie Huggard
Cindy Lopez
Clara Kim
Fiyinfoluwa Ojo
Min Ji Sang
Joanna Gamarra,
Administration Vice Chair
Jayleen Ramos
Kimberly Rivas
Dalilah Valencia
Linette Vidauri
ISAE Peer Advisor
Marizennia Andres
Jessica Contreras
Joanna Gamarra
Vivian Garcia
Cindy Lopez
Karina Mejia
Mabel Monterrosa
Roxana Pablo
Fatima Padilla
Rufina Piche
Jayleen Ramos
Jocelynn Velazquez
Rashell Villatoro
Leadership Scholars
Ashley Blancas
Lucy Collins
Graduating Leadership Scholar:
Kimberly Ganivet
Ashley Espinoza Flores
Fatima Renteria Castro
Mariana Sifuentes
Orientation Leaders
Returning Orientation Leader:
Kathleen Perez
New Orientation Leaders:
Ashley Espinoza Flores
Noeli Herrera
Veronica Montiel
Phi Theta Kappa
Vanessa Aguilar
Victoria Alvarez
Esmeralda Alvarez
Lydia Rose Alves
Crystal Carrillo
Denise Castro
Daniela Contreras
Jessica Cortes
Gisselle de Anda
Andrea Escamilla
Natalie Figueroa
Marilyn Garcia-Lana
Maria Gutierrez Rivas
Yarely Guzman-Guzman
Alyssa Hernandez
Helen Hernandez
Viviana Jimenez
Michelle Leon
Judith Lopez
Karen Macias
Gabrielle Marquez
Jasmine Marron
Ashley Martinez
Guadalupe Martinez
Katherine Martinez
Leia Minzt
Krystal Morales
April Navarrete
Ashley Ngo
Julia Paredes
Sarah Perez
Desiree Ramirez
Erika Rincon
Cindy Rivera
Sydney Rojas
Alene Saavedra
Annabell Salgado
Diana Saravia
Jasmine Siguenza
Emily Solorio
Abbigail Tinoco
Nicole Torres
Lesley Vasquez Quiñonez
Alyssa Villa
Veronica Villalta
Scarlett Zambada
Resident Assistants
Nadya Beckett-Jimenez
Valerie Chavez
Veronica Muñoz
Emily Nguyen
Sports and Wellness Peer Wellness Advocates
Vanessa Aguilar
Goretti Cervantes
Samantha de la Torre
Alicia Ejiaga
Yarely Guzman-Guzman
Carmen Ramos
Alyssa Ream
Josephine Rodriguez
Isabella Solano
Student Government Association
Emily Rodriguez, Doheny Senator
The Following Awards Are For Students Who Especially Stood Out Among Their Peers:
Mother St. John Fontbonne Award
Mother St. John Fontbonne was one of the great leaders of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Although their community first began in France in 1650, the French Revolution of 1789 led to severe persecution and enormous hardships. Several of the sisters were executed, and many others were threatened. After the Revolution, the leadership of Mother Fontbonne reunited the scattered Sisters of St. Joseph and helped them recreate an even stronger vibrant community dedicated to service. Her innovation, wisdom and steadfast courage are the hallmarks of true servant leadership. This award is given to a student who has exhibited a similar servant leadership in Campus Ministry, marked by initiative and dedication.
Recipient: Madison Serna
Sr. Magdalen Coughlin Award
Sr. Magdalen Coughlin served for many years, until 1989, as the ninth president of Mount Saint Mary’s. A woman of deep faith, she accomplished much in her years as president but was especially noted for her great zeal and unflagging love for our students, in whom she saw enormous beauty and potential. This award is therefore given to a first-year student who is an outstanding minister committed to the service of other Mount students -- someone in whom Sr. Magdalen would have delighted.
Recipient: Raeleene Wilbur
Sr. Teresita Espinoza Award
The Sr. Teresita Espinoza Award is special for two reasons. The first one is that Sr. Teresita is one of our beloved Sisters of St. Joseph, the order of religious women who founded the university in 1925. The second reason is that, inspired by Sr. Teresita, it acknowledges students who offer a reliable presence, steadfast support, personal warmth, and willing assistance for whatever is needed in ministry.
Recipient: Valerie Peña
Sr. Angela Marie Mesa, CSJ Award
Balancing the many aspects of life is a challenge for all students. Sometimes, the challenges are so significant that a student should be recognized for achievement in the face of adversity. The Sr. Maria Angela Mesa Award is given to students who withstood significant personal challenges during their years at the Mount and responded with grace, perseverance, and exceptional courage.
Recipients:
Stephanee Beggs
Wendy Bernarte
Michelle Chavez
Brandy Mendoza
Abner Ramirez
Jasmine Siguenza
Laurel Wreath
The presentation of laurels throughout history acknowledges achievement, and our Laurel Wreath is bestowed on students who demonstrate leadership in a variety of involvement opportunities such as the Business Club, Campus Ministry, Student Government Association, Student Activities Council, Residence Life, and a host of other organizations and programs on the Doheny campus, all while maintaining a 2.5 GPA or above. Faculty and the Women’s Leadership staff have nominated these student leaders based on their leadership and participation in the co-curricular life of the University:
Brianna Alvarado
Wendy Bernarte
Ashley Blancas
Valerie Chavez
Ashley Espinoza Flores
Andrea Flores Aguilar
Kaylah Hernandez
Veronica Munoz
Virginia Rodriguez
Emily Salazar
Vanessa Valencia
Laurel Circle
The Laurel Circle recognizes second-year students who have shown exceptional leadership in different clubs and activities on the Doheny Campus, all while maintaining a 2.75 GPA or above. Although there are many worthy students, the Mount community chose to honor these particularly outstanding leaders:
Diana Cardenas
Ky’Mari Love
Kamaria Purvis
Jasmine Siguenza
We thank the new Laurel Wreath and Laurel Circle leaders and celebrate the light and energy you have brought this community!
Conclusion
Congratulations to all those receiving awards, all those who have earned honors, all students recognized for their contributions, and all students graduating, moving into a new program, or moving into a new chapter in their lives!
May we learn
how to see God’s light all around us:
In the sick we care for,
in the homeless we help to shelter,
in the hungry we work to feed…
and in all those who walk with us along the way.
May we at the Mount
always shine God’s light upon one another.
Amen
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