Major: Sociology

Tavite Kavafolau Lopeti

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Hometown

Hayward, California

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters were my family.
All the sacrifices I had to make for rugby and school-- they know the deal.
To my family on my mom and pops side-- I thank y'all for holding it down back home. This one's for ALL of us.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

All 4 years of SMC Rugby. Not only did I grow as a rugby player, but in all aspects of life. This program done changed my life for the better. I'm truly humbled to have been apart of something so special. To my teammates past & present-- I appreciate y'all for being home away from home. We locked in 4L. To the coaches-- I'm forever grateful for your guidance and mentorship. I, thank you.

My Next Chapter

I want to see how far I can take this rugby gig, but if that doesn't work out I look forward to working towards my career as a juvenile probation officer. I look forward to working with the youth and getting them kids out the streets.

Clubs and Activities

SMC Mens Rugby

Favorite Quote

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." - Kobe Bryant

Taylor Welsh

Bachelor of Arts: Justice, Community, and Leadership: General & Sociology

Honors

Summa Cum Laude

bell hooks
Jane Addams

Hometown

Walnut Creek, California

Award Bio

Taylor Welsh is a Sociology and Justice, Community, Leadership double major. Taylor views her time at Saint Mary's as a unique opportunity to cultivate her understanding of praxis-based approaches to social change. As a result, she has concentrated primarily on criminal justice reform in her sociological research. At Saint Mary’s, she co-founded the SMC Sustainability Blog as a Sustainability intern, which provided her with the opportunity to attend Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Conference; worked on the 4+1 Master's in Leadership Committee; and was inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. Additionally, Taylor serves as vice president of the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society and is a Guyette Leadership Fellow. Upon graduating, Taylor hopes to pursue a career in the nonprofit industry to work in animal welfare and species conservation.

My Greatest Supporters

My mom, who has always helped me through the ups and downs in life and has been my role model. My dad, who has inspired me to persevere through hardships. My partner, Izzy Diaz, who supports me in everything I do and always believes in me. My family - Stew, Cole, Kai, Sydney, Abby, and Andrew - who always make me laugh and have a place for me at the table.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

In my first semester at Saint Mary's, I met who is now my partner of three years in my first seminar class. I couldn't be more thankful for being placed in the same class as him and will never forget Professor Jessie Turner's Seminar 01!

My Next Chapter

After graduating, I plan to pursue a career in the non-profit industry. I am passionate about animal welfare, species conservation, and prison/legal reform and hope to focus my work in these interests. For the following year, I have accepted a position with MyEd Prep, a high school preparation and college advising company. In the future, I am interested in pursuing a PhD in Sociology!

Clubs and Activities

Vice President of Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society
Alpha Kappa Delta Sociological Honor Society Inductee
Guyette Leadership Fellow
SMC Sustainability Blog Co-Founder
Climate Reality Leadership Campus Corps Co-Director
Dean's Academic List Member

Favorite Quote

"I want to do something splendid... I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all, some day."

— Louisa May Alcott

Sarena Letts

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Hometown

Concord, California

Megan Ohara

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Hometown

Mountain View, California

Melissa Goan

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology & Women's and Gender Studies

Minor

Law and Society

Honors

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown

Santa Rosa, CA

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters were my parents, professors, mentors, college roommate of three years, Noelle, and my partner, Bryan. Thank you for believing in me and being here every step of the way. Your love and generosity has been such a gift, and I couldn't ask for a better support system.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My favorite memories are the ones when I felt most connected to the Saint Mary's, Bay Area, and global communities. I loved being a part of 8pm, student-led liturgies and supporting cultural nights on campus. I grew the most serving as a MICAH Summer Fellow, living in Alameda, and I found my vocation while participating in Lasallian Service Internship in the Philippines.

My Next Chapter

For the past two months, I've been serving as the Cal OES Statewide Coordination and Technical Assistance Project Manager at the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Sacramento. I am excited to be doing work that aligns with my interests in violence prevention, advocacy, and social justice, and I am thankful to be employed, despite all the uncertainties of the pandemic. Onward and upward!

Clubs and Activities

Honors Program and Commission
Mission and Ministry Center
CILSA
Collegiate Seminar Program and Governing Board
Center for International Programs (January Term Abroad)
Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology Honors Society)
Liberal Arts Bridge Ambassador
Office of Community Life
Student Coalition Against Abuse and Rape
One Love Campus Ambassador
Peer Advocates for Wellness

Favorite Quote

"May the spirit of love instill honesty and integrity in our hearts forever"

— Former Volunteer at Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center

Lauren Dumas

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Hometown

Rio Vista, California

My Greatest Supporters

My family

My Next Chapter

Hopefully things open up so I can travel and focus on me

Jaida Rocha

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Hometown

San Leandro, California

My Greatest Supporters

I want to thank all of the friends I’ve made at St. Mary’s. I wouldn’t have made it through college if they weren’t right there beside me the entire way. I also want to thank the Sociology department for their endless compassion and dedication. I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect corner of this institution to spend the the last 4 years with.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

I was a Weekend of Welcome leader in 2019 and it was such a valuable experience. It was so much fun and really made me feel like a part of St. Mary’s. It also taught me so much about my self and the type of person I want to be.

Favorite Quote

“The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it.”

— Karl Marx

Isidro Miguel Orot

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Minor

Psychology

Hometown

Yigo, Guam

My Greatest Supporters

My family has always been my greatest supporters. My parents, siblings, nina, and the rest of my family have been there to support me in everything I do no matter what. Thank you all for helping me get to where I am today!

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

I‘ve had countless memories during my time at SMC. The two years that I played for the SMC Rugby team was a challenging and awesome experience that I’ll never forget. Kicking back with my friends who have become like family, whether we were barbecuing, playing kickball (Team Shindaiwa FTW), stroll patrolling, I could go on. Having multiple nicknames throughout the years. Everything else, iykyk.

My Next Chapter

After graduating I am looking forward to going back home to be with my family again. I'm not sure what exactly I'll be doing, but I know that I want to be able to make contributions to the betterment of my island.

Clubs and Activities

- SMC Rugby
- Council of Aeropagus

Favorite Quote

"Now... Bring me that horizon."

— Jack Sparrow

Gabriella Ramirez

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology & Art Practice

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

Fresno, California

My Greatest Supporters

My family, friends, professors, mentors, & advisors.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Creating art in the studio.

My Next Chapter

Building my career, pursuing higher education, and spending more time with the people that matter the most.

Clubs and Activities

President of the Film Club
Operations Coordinator of the Bay Area Student Shorts
Recipient of 'The Family' Scholarship, Gael Scholarship, and Lasallian Leadership Scholarship
Member of the Alpha Kappa Delta Honors Society
Student Advancement Ambassador
SMC MoA Student Worker

Favorite Quote

"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take."

Frances Humbert

Bachelor of Arts: Sociology

Honors

Cum Laude

Hometown

Berkeley, California

My Greatest Supporters

Thank you to my mom Karin Evans & dad Mark Humbert and grandparents Keith & Jo Humbert. Thank you SOC professors Ynez Hirst, John Ely and Robert Bulman who have guided me through my undergraduate education and showed great passion for their fields of study. And many thanks to Hailey L., Angie M., Clarissa M., Colette H., Soph S. and Arden P. for all our memories, study sessions and boba runs.

Favorite Quote

"I'm so glad we had this time together"

— The Carol Burnett Show