Honors: SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Isabel Cohen

Bachelor of Science: Allied Health Science

Minor

Biology

Honors

Summa Cum Laude
Julie A. Pryde

Hometown

El Cerrito, California

Award Bio

Isabel Cohen is a Health Science major and Biology minor from El Cerrito, California. At SMC, she was involved in Student Ambassadors, the Summer Research Program and independent study research with Dr. Schuh, women's water polo, and St. Luke's Pre-Health Club. In the future, she plans to attend medical school. She's grateful for support from her family, friends, and professors!

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters were my parents Aaron and Leslie Cohen, my brother Simon, my research mentor Dr. Sonya Schuh, and all of the faculty in the School of Science.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My favorite SMC memory is traveling to India for January Term.

My Next Chapter

After graduation, I will be taking a gap year to study for the MCAT and gain more clinical experience before applying to medical school.

Clubs and Activities

Student Ambassadors
Women's Club Water Polo
St. Luke's Pre-Health Club
Summer Research Program
Independent Study Research

Ismael Diaz

Bachelor of Science: Business Administration: Marketing

Minor

Justice, Community and Leadership

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

San Jose, California

My Greatest Supporters

My family, who have all helped served as role models in their own right. My parents, for teaching me how to find the 'balance' in life, my brother for showing me how to push through obstacles, my sister for helping me voice my opinions, my partner, Taylor Welsh, for supporting me in every endeavor I take, and to my friend, for helping me capture each moment.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

In my first class of Seminar One, I met my partner of three years! I would like to personally thank the registrars office for this lucky occurrence and for all my classmates who made the class one of the most memorable during my time at SMC.

My Next Chapter

After graduating, I will take some time to visit my family in Guadalajara, Mexico! In June I will start full-time at Lumentum (LITE) as Branding Analyst and hope to connect with like-minded individuals striving to make change. I have interned and worked at the firm for over a year, and see it as the stepping stone to launching a career in ethical marketing strategy.

Clubs and Activities

Co-President Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society
Alpha Mu Alpha Honor Society Recipient
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Recipient
Guyette Leadership Fellow
SEBA Dean's Advisory Board
Climate Reality Leadership Campus Corp Co-President
Dean's Academic List

Favorite Quote

“I’ll be your mirror.
Reflect what you are, in case you don’t know
I find it hard to believe you don't know
The beauty you are
But if you don't, let me be your eyes
A hand to your darkness, so you won't be afraid.”
— The Velvet Underground and Nico

Isaac Choi

Bachelor of Arts: Integral Liberal Arts

Minor

Philosophy

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

San Ramon, California

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters have been my Integral cohort and the wonderful faculty in both the Integral and Philosophy departments.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My favorite Saint Mary's memory is visiting the Eagle and Child pub during a study abroad Jan term in England.

My Next Chapter

After leaving Saint Mary's, I plan to obtain a master's in philosophy.

Clubs and Activities

Philosophy club
Saint Mary's Honors Program
Animation Honors colloquium
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society

Favorite Quote

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
— Jim Eliot

Ivett Arellano

Bachelor of Arts: Politics

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

Winters, CA

My Greatest Supporters

To my parents Lucy & Francisco, my boyfriend Christopher, best friends Sophia, Olivia, Julia, Aeriel, & the rest of my family and friends - thank you for all your love & support! Also, thank you to Philip Goodwin, Prof. Mindy Thomas, & Prof. Ahnen for encouraging my interests in politics, public policy & law. Your impact on my education & future goals will not be forgotten!

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Being accepted to the Panetta Institute for Public Policy as a Congressional Intern. While I was not able to complete the D.C. portion of my internship due to Covid, I intend on making it out to D.C. in the near future!

My Next Chapter

After taking time to gain work experience, I aspire to attend graduate school in Washington, D.C. to study K-12 education policy & reform. My dream job would be as a lobbyist for the American Federation of Teachers or the National Education Association, before becoming a professor of education!

Clubs and Activities

Student Ambassador
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
Surfrider Foundation
KSMC 89.5

Favorite Quote

"I had my ups and downs, but I always found the inner strength to pull myself up. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade."
— Hattie White
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Holly Welpott

Bachelor of Arts: Dance Choreography

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

Dixon, California

Galilea Silva

Bachelor of Arts: Ethnic Studies & Spanish: Hispanic Cultural Studies

Honors

Summa Cum Laude
Dante
Sin Fronteras

Hometown

Greenfield, California

Award Bio

Galilea Dolores Silva is from Greenfield, California. She is a double major in Ethnic Studies and Spanish. She is well-known on campus for her roles as Peer Conduct Council member and LPM for Social Justice Education. She is a member of a number of prestigious programs, such as Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Mu Gamma Honor Society, and Saint Mary's Honors. She is also a recipient of the Honorable Senator María Elena Durazo Scholarship for Social Justice and Equity Award.

My Greatest Supporters

Gracias padres, Nana, y Abuelito por darme el mundo. I want to thank my advisor, Prof. Álvaro Ramírez, for believing in me and guiding me in my academic and professional affairs. A special thanks to the Director of the Ethnic Studies Department, Prof. Loan Dao and Prof. David Alberto Quijada for their unconditional support and words of wisdom throughout my writing journey. Thank you so much, SMC.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Studying abroad with my friends, being a PPC member, facilitating the Salinas Immersion.

My Next Chapter

This summer I will be a Junior Giants Ambassador for the Salinas League. I aspire to practice for the LSAT to apply for Law School. But overall, I want to enjoy my life with my loved ones to the fullest.

Clubs and Activities

Peer Conduct Council Member
Weekend Of Welcome Leader
Mission and Ministry Center LPM for Social Justice Education
Latinx Cultural Night
BFG
SMC Women's Club Soccer

Favorite Quote

“The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and to fight it-at no matter what risk”— James Baldwin
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Geoffrey Geissinger

Bachelor of Arts: Theatre Performance and Theatre Studies

Minor

Creative Writing

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

San Diego, California
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Emma Pell

Bachelor of Arts: Justice, Community, and Leadership: General & French (Honors)

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

Santa Rosa, California

My Greatest Supporters

My family!! Shoutout to my parents for being amazing and my sisters and little brother for being the best!!!

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Living on campus my freshman and sophomore years! Just everything was so fun, walking around campus at night and getting plates piled up with chicken tenders from late night

My Next Chapter

Getting my Master's in French Studies in Aix-en-Provence, France, then hopefully going to become a French teacher!

Emily Conway

Bachelor of Arts: Politics

Minor

Anthropology

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

Fairfax, California

My Greatest Supporters

Thank you-
Mom and Granny: for weekend visits, the words of support, and the home-cooked meals right when I needed them!
Bryce, Jim, and of course Jo Kranzthor: for the incredible gift of my education, and for all the love along the way.
Nikki and Sophie: for being there for me through chaos and calm.
Legacy Lee, Patrizia Longo, Mindy Thomas, Anna Corwin: for inspiring me every day.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Any and all time in the IC. Learning together, ranting together, studying together, growing together (napping together on the beanbags) - I love you all dearly <3

My Next Chapter

I'll be working full time in the Labor movement, as the Research and Policy Associate with the North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO. I'm also looking forward to applying to law schools in the next year!

Clubs and Activities

Intercultural Development Leader at The Intercultural Center

Favorite Quote

All the elements in your body were forged many, many millions of years ago in the heart of a far-away star that exploded and died. That explosion scattered those elements across the desolation of deep space. After so, so many millions of years these elements came together to form new stars and new planets. Until, eventually, they came together to make you. You are unique in the universe.
— Doctor Who S7 Ep7
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Emily Milbrath

Bachelor of Science: Math: Computer Science Track

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown

Seattle, Washington