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Rachel Nakamura

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Health and Human Performance

Hometown

Mountain View, California

Melissa Garcia

Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters are my parents and brother. Also my extended family and friends. <3

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Driving onto SMC campus for a softball game as a freshman at NDNU thinking I should transfer here. When my junior year ended and NDNU closed, I indeed ended up transferring to SMC.

My Next Chapter

I plan on attending grad school to receive my masters in kinesiology and becoming a licensed chiropractor/athletic trainer.

Clubs and Activities

NDNU softball

Favorite Quote

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out”
— John Wooden
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Adnan Mehmedovic

Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Hometown

Berlin, Germany

Samuelu Poueu

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Health Promotion

Hometown

Rohnert Park, California

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters will always be family(Mom, Dad, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, and nephews). Strength in numbers. As an adopted boy from American Samoa, my family has loved and supported me from day one. My biological family has been there for me as well. Good times and bad, trials and tribulations. Their unconditional love and support has been felt since they've come into my life.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

It wasn't until I attended the transfer info session in the Spring of 2018 that I knew that this institution would be where i wanted to complete my undergraduate degree. My 7 and a half-year-old son Dillon, who has been the impetus and catalyst to my return to academia lives in Lafayette. Saint Mary's clearly had the proximity advantage when it came to deciding where I was going to transfer to...

My Next Chapter

My major is Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health Promotion. My heart's goal is to contribute and implement greater Public Health infrastructure within the disenfranchised communities of the Bay Area. I will apply and build a career within the county department of Public Health to begin. "Arrive to learn, leave to serve"

Clubs and Activities

High Potential program and Transfer-Student mentor

Favorite Quote

" Though no one can go back and create a new start; anyone can start now and can create a new ending"- Carl Bard
"The task is to transform society; only the people can do that - not heroes, not celebrities, not stars."- Huey P. Newton
" It all works out in the end. If it's not working out right now; that just means it's not the end."- Anonymous

Victor Rojas-Rodriguez

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Health Promotion

Hometown

San Diego, California

My Greatest Supporters

God, my mom, and fiancée. Thank you to Carrie, Colleen, Karin, and all the MMC LPMs. Thank you to Professor Emhoff, Dr. Dunn, and Professor Williams. The De La Salle Brothers (especially Br. David and Br. Chris Patiño) and Fr. Hai. Financial Aid superstar Karla Henriquez. All the friends I made along the way.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Expanding my knowledge with the guidance of the Kinesiology department. My immersion trip to Los Angeles and the subsequent LSI experience in NY. Attending events facilitated by the HP program and all the wonderful coaches. Deepening my faith with the welcoming individuals that make up the MMC. Chatting with the De La Salle Brothers about life. Going to Taco Tuesday at Los Gallos with the boys!

My Next Chapter

In the fall I plan to attend Point Loma Nazarene University to pursue an MS in Kinesiology. After that I would like to attend my dream school, University of Southern California, in hopes of launching a small business centered around community healthcare.

Clubs and Activities

Mission and Ministry Center (MMC)
Lasallian Service Internship (LSI)
High Potential Program (HP)
Kinesiology Club
Film Club

Favorite Quote

"Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny...to work out our identity in God."
— Thomas Merton
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Ursula Lochner-Bravo

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Health Promotion

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

El Cerrito, California

Selena Sandoval

Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Hometown

Merced

My Greatest Supporters

My mom and dad were my biggest supporters, always supported my decisions and helped me strive to be the greatest. I would not be where I am if it wasn't for them.

My Next Chapter

Will be applying for Doctorate of Physical Therapy School after taking a working gap year.

Favorite Quote

It's Too Easy..
To Give Up When Things Are Difficult...
Anyone Can Do That...
But That's NOT YOU...
You're an overcomer and no challenge is too big for you GOD..
Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
— (1 John 4:4)
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Ryan Elston

Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Hometown

San Jose, California

My Greatest Supporters

Shoutout to my all my family members and my best friend/dog Cody.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Graduation

My Next Chapter

Go make some money. Didn't grind these past 4 years to be poor.

Clubs and Activities

- Men's Lacrosse

Favorite Quote

You’ve got two legs and a heartbeat. What’s stopping you?
— Inuyasha

Niel Caldwell

Bachelor of Science: Kinesiology: Exercise Science

Honors

Magna Cum Laude
Mens Sana In Corpore Sano

Hometown

Crested Butte, Colorado

Award Bio

Raised in Crested Butte, Colorado, and Santa Barbara, California, Niel Caldwell has lived in the Bay Area since 2009. He has savored his studies of Kinesiology at SMC and will next pursue a teaching credential in physical education. Niel enjoys being outdoors, making music and art, and spending time with his wife, son, and dog.

My Greatest Supporters

My wife and parents, hands down.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

It’s like being asked to pick your favorite child...

My Next Chapter

Pursuing a single-subject teaching credential with the intention of teaching physical education at middle school level.

Favorite Quote

“Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Max Kleeman

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Sports and Recreation Management

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

Saint Louis, Missouri

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters are my parents, Ray and Cori Kleeman. They have given me every opportunity to be successful, encouraged me along the way, and I cannot thank them enough. In addition to them, my greatest supporters include my twin brother Alex, my two sisters, Lilli and Hope, my dogs Winston and Georgia, my girlfriend, Kaley Pastor, and my roommates, Nick, Luke, Shane, Morty, and Blake.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My favorite memory at Saint Mary's is playing in my first college soccer game where my parents, grandpa, and siblings were all in attendance!

My Next Chapter

After college, I have accepted a position as Account Manager at Gateway Medical Equipment where I will be fitting patients for their orthotic braces and bone stimulators as well as developing new accounts and maintaining existing accounts. I will also be pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.

Clubs and Activities

Men's Soccer team
Kinesiology club