Forty-eight Yale College juniors received honors from the Council of the Heads of Colleges in recognition of their scholarship, contributions to college life, and their character.
The winning students, their prizes, and the award citations written by their heads of college, follow.
F. Wilder Bellamy Jr. Memorial Prize
Established in 1939 by friends of F. Wilder Bellamy Jr., B.A. 1937, the prize is awarded to a junior who best exemplifies the qualities for which F. Wilder Bellamy, Jr. is remembered, including personal integrity, loyalty to friends, and high-spiritedness in athletics, academics, and social life.
Rebekah Alemayehu, Benjamin Franklin College
“Rebekah Alemayehu is a vibrant and energetic presence not only within the Benjamin Franklin College community but also in the overall Yale community. Her impact extends beyond academics through her commitment to roles such as the president of the Yale Ethiopian and Eritrean Students’ Association and a member of the Yale Gospel Choir, where her leadership fosters unity, camaraderie, and cultural appreciation amongst peers. Her passion for dance and the arts further highlights her dedication and ability to bring people together. Beyond extracurricular involvement, Rebekah is known for her supportive nature and strong work ethic, making her a cherished friend and an inspiring figure in the community. Her high spirits and infectious enthusiasm truly embody the essence of the Wilder Bellamy Jr. Memorial Prize.”
Abigail Lopez Freire, Berkeley College
“Abigail Lopez Freire demonstrates her infectious enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment to Berkeley College, every day. She currently serves as Chief College Aide, thus co-managing the practical aspects of all our college events. Next year, Abi will be one of our First-Year Counselors, inspiring her aura of positivity with the next generation of Berkeley students. Majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Abi has ably presented her research on telomeres as a panelist at Yale’s outreach events such as the Multicultural Open House Research Panel, Bulldog Days STEM Panel, and STARS program peer mentoring. She has also led, as president, the Yale New Haven Hospital Living History Project. Beyond Yale, she volunteers with the HAVEN free medical clinic to underserved people in New Haven, as well as at the Connecticut Hospice. She furthers her artistic interests as a photographer, having served as President of the Yale Photography Society. Despite all of these accomplishments, Abi is as humble as she is generous, and we are proud that she represents Berkeley College in receipt of the F. Wilder Bellamy Prize.”
Coby Yang, Branford College
“Coby Yang has spent most of his three years at Yale working in advocacy, peer support, and community-oriented efforts at the university and in New Haven. He delights in making others laugh, in opening doors for those who come behind him, and in the atmosphere and opportunities of the residential college community — he approaches life in Branford with F. Wilder Bellamy’s ‘infectious enthusiasm.’ He’s served on our local Branford College Council as well as in the YCC, and has worked on initiatives as varied as ensuring low-income students have access to meals when our dining halls are closed; rethinking our Credit/D/Fail grading policies to increase flexibility for students; and expanding the number of opportunities for building community in the college. Coby also has a genuine enthusiasm for and commitment to making others feel at home at Yale. Last summer he was a Resident Mentor for the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) program on our campus; the program’s director called him ‘the unquestionable MVP of the team,’ and this is the kind of person we know Coby to be: if he knows he can help someone, he will. Coby is intensely proud of being FGLI, and he has supported other FGLI students, as a big brother in Branford and in his work with our student councils, to see the power, beauty, and energy that is part of their own journeys to Yale, whatever their background. He thinks expansively about how institutions and policies must change to make them reflective of all the populations which they serve, and we know he will bring this perspective wherever life takes him after Yale.”
Nick Townsend, Davenport College
“Nick Townsend is perhaps best known as a member of the Yale Bulldogs Varsity Men’s Basketball team. He was the recipient of the team’s Dick Derby Scholarship as well as the Most Improved Player Award. But it is his friendly, supportive, and collegial personality that really shines through, both on and off the court. Whether in the dining hall, in the classroom, or in the courtyard, Nick finds the time not only to greet and acknowledge others, as so many students do, but actually takes the time to get to know his peers, the staff in Davenport, and his Dean and HoC. Particularly, in a generation that often content to stay within the confines of their phone or laptop, Nick exudes engagement and a humanity that is rare.”
Eddie Cavallin, Grace Hopper College
“Eddie Cavallin was not recruited to Yale as a Yale athlete but rather walked onto the team in the fall of 2022 when he matriculated. That fall, Eddie joined a number of other students in his Hopper class on the crew, as Eddie himself exhibited the ‘attractive personality’ and ‘high spirits’ of the award, contributing not only to the camaraderie of the team but also to his collection of friends at Hopper who have remained close and supportive of each other since their first year. More recently, and significantly for the Hopper community, Eddie supported efforts at our college with the ‘Revisiting the Renaming’ gallery in the Grace Hopper basement, documenting and visualizing in a series of photographs Hopper’s history of undergraduate leadership, civic dialogue, and community involvement as it related to the college’s name change.”
Jacob Koch, Grace Hopper College
“Jacob Koch has a humble yet positive joy coupled with a heart geared toward community and team building. In the college, that has been evident in his eager participation on move-in day, carrying boxes for first-year students to their new dorms. Soon after, Jacob’s work at welcoming others to the Yale community has been evident in his service as a FOOT leader, leading and mentoring groups of incoming students on four-day backpacking trips to develop a positive social foundation. Rather than losing contact with his group as the year progresses, Jacob stays connected with them by coordinating monthly dinners and personal check-ins throughout the first year. Doing this both in the 2023 and 2024 summers, Jacob’s service has provided yet another layer of support and connection for our incoming students. No stranger to teamwork, Jacob is also a member of Yale’s Rugby Club, playing scrum-half in triweekly practices and weekly games throughout the season since January 2023.”
Luana Prado Oliveira Souza, Jonathan Edwards College
“Lua is a Comparative Literature major with a deep interest in cultural exchange and global studies. With a background of pro-democracy activism in Brazil, Lua pursues her quest for a more equitable society through her engagement with Dwight Hall and other social programs at Yale. As an Education Volunteer Coordinator, Lua has expanded the after-school Program at New Haven’s Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, introducing mentor connections and student-led activities. Lua teaches English as a second language with the Bridges program and serves as director of the Yale Dream Mentorship Program, with a focus on guiding low-income Brazilian students to brighter futures. Once a reporter for the Yale Daily News, Lua believes in advocacy through journalism and storytelling. She has covered critical issues in education policy and local governance, ensuring that students and community members are informed about key developments. Her co-leadership of Claro que Sí, Yale’s premier Latin American magazine, has further allowed her to elevate underrepresented voices. One of her professors notes that Lua ‘is bright, congenial, and generous with others,’ while another emphasizes her ability to ‘combine literature with the social and political, bringing discussions to life.’ It is a testament to Lua’s ambition that she plans on being an educator who helps students from all backgrounds to succeed.”
Max Kiekhofer, Morse College
“As a dedicated and highly capable individual, Max Kiekhofer has demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment in various roles, but nothing makes him more deserving of this award than his unwavering positivity and cheerful attitude around the college. Max’s work experience is both diverse and impressive. At the Yale Reproductive Ecology Laboratory, he has been a laboratory assistant since December 2025, where he has contributed significantly to the research and operations of the lab. His role at the Yale Peabody Museum Paleobotany Collections as a Collections Assistant involved meticulous photography, categorization, and logging of fragile fossil specimens, showcasing his attention to detail and organizational skills. His supervisors and coworkers praise his genuine kindness and supportive presence. Max’s commitment to community and advocacy is evident through his work at the Yale LGBTQ+ Center. He played a pivotal role in increasing student support, particularly in supporting LGBTQ+ first-years. Whether in the Anthropology Department, the LGBTQ+ Center, or his society, St. Anthony’s Hall, Max is known as a delightful person with incredible depth, a listening ear, and unwavering enthusiasm. These attributes will undoubtedly ensure he will be a great first-year counselor for Morse College next year.”
Cassie Watt, Morse College
“Cassie Watt is an extraordinary individual whose infectious enthusiasm, remarkable capacity for hard work, and unwavering commitment to Morse College make her an ideal candidate for this incredible award. While Cassie is an exceptional student, she is known for her positive energy and magnetic laughter. Her sense of humor and wit bring so much joy to the college, particularly the college offices where she has worked as an Morse College Aide since her first year. Cassie is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts in History at Yale, with an impressive GPA of 3.9. Her academic achievements are complemented by her extensive involvement in various extracurricular activities, showcasing her dedication and passion for her community. Cassie’s enthusiasm for the arts is evident through her significant contributions to the Yale University Musical Theater Department. As a student associate for the Shen Curriculum for Musical Theater, she was selected by the department head to coordinate with prominent theater professionals to organize the ‘Friday at Five’ master class series. Her role involved developing and managing marketing and PR efforts to build awareness and engagement for the Shen Curriculum and its events. Additionally, she produced the end-of-semester recital for music composition classes, demonstrating her exceptional organizational skills and commitment to the arts.”
Sonam Wangchuk, Pauli Murray College
Like those who endowed the Bellamy, we understand the profound value in steadfast dependability and an enthusiasm for both the exciting and the mundane tasks. When I first met him, Sonam Wangchuk had taken a series of flights, and a train, and then a bus, and was dragging his suitcase up Prospect Street, to study at a university in a country where he knew almost no one. It is students like Sonam — with their bravery and their zeal for education — that make me proud to teach at Yale. He has since grown into a student leader, one of the most reliable of our college aides, and our future Head Froco. He has worked as a ULA for First Year Scholars, precisely so that he can support those who identity as first-gen and/or low-income. He’s also been one of the best and most consistent student employees at Yale Summer Session as Alexander Rosas, dean of international and summer programs for Yale College, and Sonam’s former dean in Pauli Murray, shares: ‘Sonam is driven by an extraordinary work ethic, and he brings to his work immense professional instincts and skills, quickly comprehending complex problems and offering innovative solutions. More than that, though, what distinguishes Sonam is his genuinely energetic and energizing nature. He is a team member in the truest and most collaborative sense: His laugh and smile are infectious, he builds community, and he lifts up those around him.’ ‘Sonam’ is a common name in his home country: it means either ‘good luck’ or ‘virtuous merit.’ Our Sonam humbly insists that in his own case it means good luck, but we insist that it means virtuous merit. We are glad that the committee appreciates his virtues as much as we do and sees in him the spirit of the Bellamy.”
Casia Provencal, Pierson College
“Casia Provencal is a political science major, a member of the Women’s Track and Field team, and the Head Student Aide in Pierson College. She consistently demonstrates exceptional intellectual prowess in her academic pursuits. Her interests have been wide and varied: from film and theatre, political sciences courses that explore capitalism, moral foundations of politics, and power, to her pursuit of a Spanish language certificate, Casia is working to make sense of our complex world as well as her place in it. Casia has demonstrated remarkable prowess and dedication in track and field. Beyond her academic and athletic pursuits, Casia is a vibrant member of the Yale arts community. As a member of the a cappella group Shades of Yale, she contributes her musical talents and enthusiasm to enriching the campus’s cultural life. Her love for theatre, film, and music is evident in her active participation in related activities, notably her participation in a number of performances: ‘The Fairy Queen,’ ‘Disguise,’ ‘If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka,’ and ‘Legally Blonde.’ Casia’s enthusiasm for the arts and her readiness to engage in diverse interests. Casia exemplifies leadership and service through her active engagement in both athletics and the arts. However, even within Pierson College, Casia has taken on significant roles, supporting her peers and contributing to a vibrant and inclusive campus culture. As the Head Aide in Pierson College, she manages the overall office schedule, works closely with Head of College Feimster and her Senior Administrative Assistant Taunya Williams on all college events. She manages conflict. She listens to her peers’ issues and concerns. She problem solves. In the words of Taunya Williams, ‘she’s the bomb.com!’”
Ashley Sottosanti, Pierson College
“Ashley Sottosanti is a member of the Pierson College Junior Class whose infectious spirit, boundless energy, and wholehearted embrace of college life reflect the very qualities this award celebrates. Whether in the classroom, on the volleyball court, or at the heart of Pierson College life, Ashley brings dedication, joy, and a remarkable capacity for hard work. As a Neuroscience major, Ashley is deeply engaged in her field, contributing to fMRI research in the CANDLab and tutoring fellow students in advanced general chemistry. As captain of the Yale Women’s Club Volleyball team, Ashley leads practices, manages tournaments and budgeting, and brings teammates together with humor and determination. Her leadership is both spirited and deeply practical — qualities she also brings to her role as Head Secretary for Pierson Intramurals, where she organizes events, energizes participation, and runs the college’s intramural social media. Ashley’s commitment to service is just as heartfelt. Through her work with the Yale Prison Education Initiative, she supports incarcerated students by providing vital research materials, and she brings a spirit of care and conscientiousness to everything she does — whether volunteering, chairing a Yale Model UN committee, or working late nights in the Pierson Buttery, serving food with a smile. Her blend of enthusiasm, discipline, and empathy makes her the kind of person who draws others in and uplifts every community she joins.”
Maria Arozamena, Saybrook College
“Saybrook College would not be the same without Maria Arozamena. She hails from Tampa and her love of Florida is matched only by her passion for Saybrook College. In her sophomore year, Maria organized her five suitemates in B11 to transform their common room, aka Beleven, into a semi-public space in the college and a wellspring of creative social ideas to bring the college together. They hosted afternoon teas, late night snack sessions, and curated discussions. I, as head of college, have been a frequent visitor to Beleven. In fact, the dean and I worked to ensure Maria and her suitemates were able to keep Beleven in their junior year! Maria will be a FroCo next year and I have no doubt that she will continue to infuse her infectious spirit and enthusiasm for Saybrook College. She has served every single year in different capacities, and has done so effectively, enthusiastically, and infectiously.”
Noam Bellin-Schonfeld, Silliman College
“Noam Bellin-Schonfeld has shown a remarkable intellectual, personal, and professional commitment to promoting democratic processes. He is well-known for inviting students to join him for a meal in the dining hall to discuss one of his passions: forming a more just and equitable society through involvement in politics. He is always looking for ways to create a more inclusive college community by inviting a diverse group to movie nights, to joining him on walks to Starbucks, and by establishing to new programs that help more introverted students break out of their shells. Noam’s dedication has led him seek opportunities within the political sphere both inside and outside of Yale. For two summers, he interned in a congressperson’s office, served as a legislative advocacy fellow and elections fellow for the Yale College Democrats, arduously worked to register voters in key districts for the 2024 election, and more. It is a remarkable list of professional experience and accomplishments for a junior in college. We would also be remiss if we did not mention Noam’s active role in Silliman College. Ever since his first semester on campus, Noam has found ways to bring the community together and comes up with new initiatives in our student activities committee. It is in these moments that his interest in building community shines. One of the most amazing aspects of Noam’s presence is how many students just gravitate to saying hi to him in a casual interaction. Noam exudes warmth, loyalty, and clearly shows great enjoyment in building community in Silliman.”
Celene Bennett, Timothy Dwight College
“Celene Bennett, next year’s Head Froco in Timothy Dwight College, has always drawn people together in community, building spaces of belonging for people of all backgrounds. Celene’s joy is infectious. She is a committed athlete in TD intramurals, an intrepid leader of spontaneous farmers’ market trips, a champion of local artists at festivals on the Green, and more. Celene’s indomitable good cheer is never frivolous, however. A Sociology major concentrating in Health and Society, Celene invests in the health and well-being of everyone around her. She leads with strong moral conviction when redressing injustice as co-president of the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project, when working to improve Yale-New Haven relations as a FOCUS on New Haven leader, and when directing financial policy for Yale College Council. As social chair for Kasama, the Filipino Club at Yale, she advocated successfully for Tagalog instructional courses at Yale. As a graduate of the nonpartisan, issue-neutral Campaign School at Yale, she is committed to increasing the number and influence of women in elected and appointed political office. Celene actively seeks to ‘share spaces with strangers’ — though when they leave those spaces, they are strangers no more.”
Cory Fan, Trumbull College
“An Air Force ROTC cadet and Mathematics major, Cory Fan is an active member of our Trumbull community and a future leader. His strong academics have been paired with unique research opportunities here at Yale and elsewhere, with an interdisciplinary focus. He has done research in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences and pursued Computer Science Research in a summer program at Arizona State University. What makes Cory an ideal Bellamy prize recipient is his ability to balance these commitments with AFROTC and other extracurriculars, all while being active in our college community. Cory has a consistent presence at Trumbull IMs — he is one of those Trumbullians who the IM secretaries can ping at the last minute to fill a team if he isn’t already participating. Cory will serve as a FroCo next year and we have no doubt that he will be an incredible role model for our frosh.”
Andrew Farr, Trumbull College
“Andrew Farr epitomizes the image of a Yale student-athlete. Coming to Yale as a star athlete from Maine where he was named Varsity Maine’s player of the year, he has lived up to the high expectations on the men’s varsity Track and Field team, but he has also excelled in the classroom — he is an exceptional student. Majoring in Psychology, he is one of the top students in his Trumbull junior class. He does this while balancing a truly outstanding athletic career, representing Men’s Track and Field team as a sprinter at the highest levels. In addition to his athletic and academic achievements, Andrew is also a member of the Unorthojocks, an a cappella group made up exclusively of varsity athletes. Being a student athlete at Yale is challenging — to excel in athletics, academics and beyond is particularly admirable. All of this combined is what makes Andrew an outstanding Bellamy prize recipient.”
John C. Schroeder Award
This award, which honors former Calhoun College master John C. Schroeder, is given to students who have contributed to residential college life and who, in the opinion of the committee, will “play a part in the good labor of the world.”
Dayra Mejia-Reyes, Benjamin Franklin College
“Dayra has already begun planning for her future in service. She will be an ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) teaching fellow at the University of Notre Dame, where she will participate in a program that is steering her toward a career as a teacher in underserved communities. Dayra’s intention stems from her own experiences. As a high school student, she witnessed firsthand the inequities within the public education system in Asbury Park, NJ, where a predominantly Black and Hispanic student-serving district struggled with underperformance on standardized tests and low graduation rates. She has a genuine passion for teaching and serving others, and hopes to be a teacher who bridges these educational gaps and inspires a love for learning among students who would otherwise go unacknowledged.”
Jayden Rivera, Berkeley College
“Jayden Rivera is a trustworthy and reliable Berkeley College Aide, earning praises from everyone who works with him. Majoring in Chemistry (Intensive), he has received glowing accolades from professors and teaching fellows. In addition to his coursework, he devotes substantive and careful effort to his extracurricular role as as Head Coordinator of the Yale Student Technology Collaborative. Jayden has also dedicated his time to medical research and to volunteering with patients in the Yale New Haven Hospital. No matter what challenges may come his way, Jayden always stays true to his commitments with a professionalism and a steadfast positive attitude. His friends describe him as a calm, understated and reliable presence in their lives, and someone who’s always ready to listen to them. For his unwavering dedication to Berkeley, his friends, his family, research, and volunteering initiatives to help the greater good, we are proud that Jayden represents Berkeley College in receipt of the John C. Schroeder Award.”
Jayson Wright, Davenport College
“During his time at Davenport, Jayson Wright certainly has contributed to the good life of the community. In each of his may student-leader roles, Jayson brings a unique warmth and enthusiasm to his work. He is dedicated to making Davenport an inclusive community for all who bear the name ‘gnome,’ and he has done so both as an employee and volunteer. He is an ever-present leader in the community without whom Davenport would not be what it is today. His most impressive work has been with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organization which teaches and equips high schoolers to be leaders in their communities. Jayson’s charismatic commitment to helping younger students will be on full display during his upcoming senior year when he will serve as a Davenport College FroCo, a role he seems born to inhabit.”
Kalvin Verner Jr., Ezra Stiles College
“While pursuing a distinguished range of extracurricular commitments in legal services and advocacy projects, Kalvin Verner, Jr., has been an exemplary Head peer liaison for the Afro-American Cultural Center and a peer mentor for the Cultural Connections orientation program. Kalvin holds deep insight into the ways that structural inequalities and institutional discrimination may be felt at the personal level and has dedicated themself to building inclusive bonds of community among under-represented and minoritized students. They are pursuing law school with an aim to address the civil and human rights concerns of the socially vulnerable, and to build leadership among LGBTQ, Black, and queer of color communities. Thoughtful and engaging, Kalvin has combined scholarly and service interests in projects that range from studying the plight of Haitians in the Dominican Republic to the study of social policy as an ACLU intern in Mississippi. Kalvin has contributed to various legal aid organizations, assisting community members on cases relating to domestic violence, and also working on behalf of Afghan asylum seekers. They are also keenly invested in making higher education more accessible to underserved students and tutored native Spanish speakers in English at the Bridges Center. On campus, Kalvin has been a regular contributor to the Yale Daily News podcast team and been the Outreach director for the Yale Human Rights Journal. As a junior Kalvin is co-founder and co-president of the Yale Black Pre-Law organization, and co-president of Yale BlackOut. Kalvin is not only interested in addressing acute human need, they also understand the law as a powerful instrument of social repair. Kalvin was accepted to Yale Law School’s Launchpad pre-law program and participated in the Stanford Law Scholars Summer Institute. This range of activity demonstrates a constant ethical orientation toward social engagement and a mature ability to work in many community settings. Kalvin brings an expansive and generous vision to all of their endeavors.”
Fardouza Farah, Grace Hopper College
“Fardouza Farah’s contributions to the New Haven and Yale communities are exemplary. She has served as co-director of Education and Advocacy on Migration Alliance at Yale, where she helps to support IRIS and Elena’s Light, offering services to recently immigrated communities. Fardouza has also served as president and co-founder of Beyond Bars, leading the crafting and presentation of curricula to educate formerly incarcerated women on legal, medical, and mental health resources. Beyond this, and with aims to bring communities together at the international level, Fardouza serves as vice president and co-founder of Her Kitaab, overseeing three committees focused on projects in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Somalia. The group has raised over $40,000 to fund visas and housing, as the group works, as its website indicates, to ‘amplify the voices of women, particularly those living in conflict areas and refugees, by advocating for their education rights, enhancing their professional opportunities, and sharing their powerful stories of resilience and strength in the face of conflict.’ Finally, more locally, Fardouza has given back to her Yale and Hopper communities as a Communication and Consent Educator.”
Amara Neal, Grace Hopper College
“Amara Neal’s major contribution to her local community in Arizona has been Life’s Little Things, an organization that Amara founded and has directed since 2019 and which has distributed more than 1,000 reusable masks and 20 care packages to shelters across the state. Through the organization, Amara has also hosted workshops on housing insecurity to over 100 students through school programming and cultural center initiatives. In New Haven, Amara has pursued her interests in housing inequities by serving as a Research Assistant for the Yale School of Public Health, where she has worked since April 2024 in the Housing and Health Equity Lab, coding interviews from low-income tenants who face eviction. Beyond this, Amara has also served as Harvest Program Coordinator for Yale’s Sustainable Food Program, coordinating a 5-day orientation program for 250 students and running an 8-day leadership training for 45 student-leaders by presenting on the environmental importance of aiding sustainable farms. Deepening her desire to serve her local community in New Haven, Amara is also a co-founder and public health director of Beyond Bars, where she attends meetings at the Transitions Clinic with formerly incarcerated women to discuss their legislative and medical challenges, housing and health inequity, and more. In her work there, she helps to provide health products and lead workshops on consent and navigating the healthcare system. A consistent builder of community, Amara also supports Hopper and Yale by serving as a Communication and Consent Educator.”
Daliya Ali El Abani, Jonathan Edwards College
“Charity, kindness, and community spirit mark every move in Daliya Ali El Abani’s life. Currently a Global Affairs major with a certificate in Human Rights, Daliya’s hope is to make survival and assimilation easier for others. Her humanitarian efforts are evident both on Yale’s campus and in the wider community. As the Director of the Migration Alliance, she has worked tirelessly to foster a supportive environment for refugees in New Haven. She expanded the youth leadership program, created a curriculum for English skills, and fundraised for immigrant rights. Daliya also worked with the legal team at the Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Service and the Children’s Law Center, where she innovated community engagement initiatives and provided paralegal support. Daliya is the editor-in-chief of the Yale Journal of Human Rights and has written stories on the YHHAP fast, on-campus discrimination, and La Casa for the Yale Daily News. Beyond her advocacy work, Daliya is a cultural bridge-builder. She is president of the Yale Bulgarian Society, where she organizes events including holiday festivals and guest speakers, and she is Captain of dance group Yale Rangeela. Daliya is also a FOOT leader who teaches pre-frosh cooperation and community values. She has coined her own ‘rule of three,’ which she shares with her Footies, encouraging them to engage in daily activities that nourish the three realms of mind, body, and soul. This philosophy highlights her ability to inspire others in ways both ideal and practical.”
Nolyn Mjema, Morse College
“Nolyn Mjema’s potential to contribute to the good labor of the world is evident through his leadership and mentorship roles. As the founder of the MB&B ‘Big and Little’ Program, Nolyn has created a supportive environment for younger students by pairing them with mentors within the department. This initiative has made the major feel more welcoming and supportive, demonstrating Nolyn’s commitment to fostering a sense of community and helping others succeed. His passion for mentorship extends beyond his academic pursuits. Nolyn has been actively involved in the Black Men’s Union mentorship program, where he supports New Haven students by tutoring and mentoring eighth graders. As Vice President of the Black Men’s Union, he helps organize campus visits, showing these students that they, too, belong in spaces like Yale. Nolyn’s dedication to giving back to the community that raised him is a testament to his character and his desire to uplift others. For these reasons and more, Nolyn was selected as a first-year counselor for Morse College next year.”
Lilia Potter-Schwartz, Pauli Murray College
“Lilia Potter-Schwartz truly embodies the essence of the John C. Schroeder Award as someone who ‘will find her place and play a part in the good labor of the world.’ Lilia’s endeavors are of a piece. She displays unusual care for every community of which she is a part: not just Pauli Murray and Yale, but New Haven, but even the siblinghood of all people. A stalwart of the College Council since her first year, she has served as vice president and as president. She has been the leader of an unusually responsible and self-sufficient College Council, and she has budgeted and planned formal dances, study breaks, tubing trips, and many other events. But she has also paid particular attention to nurturing the institution, carefully mentoring frosh leaders. She will be leaving the Pauli Murray College Council in a much stronger position than she found it, and she’ll have benefited generations of Murray students. That passion for the common good — paired with a self-effacing streak — characterizes Lilia’s studies and career ambitions as well. A volunteer with Partners in Health who established a Yale chapter, Lilia has visited PIH’s clinics in Rwanda and is considering a career as a physician specializing in infectious diseases — an unglamorous specialty with perhaps the greatest impact on public health. In other words, Lilia is set to benefit the world in the same kind and gentle way that she has our college community. She is the kind of person on whom institutions and the well-being of others rely.”
Christian Thomas, Pierson College
“Christian Thomas is majoring in Political Science with certificates in Education Studies and Spanish. His work in public life reflects a rare blend of idealism and impact. He does not merely speak about change — he organizes it, legislates it, and most importantly, lives it. Christian is driven by an ethic of care. Whether interning in Senator Chris Murphy’s office, organizing a Model UN conference overseas, or quietly mentoring younger peers, he shows up with humility, thoughtfulness, and a profound sense of responsibility to others. As president of the Yale Democrats, he leads a dynamic, 150-member organization with clarity and conviction. Under his leadership, the group has become a powerful force in civic engagement, coordinating with campaigns across the country, hosting nationally recognized speakers, and raising thousands of dollars for disaster relief and political advocacy. Through it all, Christian has kept the organization grounded in people — mobilizing students to vote, volunteer, and believe in the power of public service. In parallel, his work as Financial Policy Director of the Yale College Council reflects his unwavering focus on equity and student well-being. Thanks to his leadership, programs like course materials and extracurricular grants have been reinstated and increased financial aid meal vouchers, and new proposals for summer aid and professional attire support are moving forward. Christian understands that dignity and access are essential to a flourishing college community — and he is tireless in pursuing both.”
Emily Hettinger, Pierson College
“Emily Hettinger is a member of Pierson College’s junior class whose rare combination of compassion, intellect, and dedication to service has already made a profound impact on our campus and far beyond. In every aspect of her life at Yale, Emily exemplifies what it means to be engaged in the ‘good labor of the world.’ A Psychology major with a certificate in Education Studies, Emily pairs her academic pursuits with a remarkable devotion to justice and equity. Her work with the Yale Prison Education Initiative (YPEI) speaks volumes about her character. As a Student Coordinator, she facilitates the Research Request Network, connecting incarcerated students with Yale resources, while also serving as a writing tutor and classroom assistant inside correctional facilities. Her deep commitment to systemic change extends into her internship with the REFORM Alliance, where she contributed to the development of a Court Watch App to bring transparency to judicial proceedings, and her role as a research assistant in Yale’s Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology Lab, studying the physiological underpinnings of implicit racial bias and the impact of education on its reduction. Emily’s leadership on campus is equally inspiring. As Speaker of the Senate for the Yale College Council, and as one of Pierson College’s Senators she has worked to expand access to mental health care, reform financial aid, and address admissions equity. As Legislative Advocacy Director for YaleBleeds, she advocates for menstrual equity in New Haven public schools and globally, pairing policy engagement with grassroots education. Her work as a FOOT leader and DEI + Mental Health Coordinator further shows her commitment to mentoring others and cultivating spaces of belonging and care.”
Lucas Aurore, Pierson College
“Lucas Aurore is pursuing a dual major in Economics and Global Affairs, with a certificate in Chinese, and has distinguished himself through both academic excellence and leadership across borders. Fluent in five languages and deeply curious about the systems that shape our world, Lucas brings cultural sensitivity and intellectual rigor to every endeavor — from data-driven global policy analysis to face-to-face community engagement. His work with the Yale Prison Education Initiative, where he tutors incarcerated students and supports research inside Connecticut correctional facilities, speaks to his quiet courage and belief in the transformative power of education. Whether leading office hours or volunteering behind the scenes, Lucas shows up with empathy, respect, and a deep sense of purpose. In the summer of 2024, Lucas taught English to under-resourced youth in Hong Kong through Summerbridge. His commitment to international education is further reflected in his Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department, enabling immersive Mandarin study in Taiwan, and his leadership role as a United Nations Millennium Fellow, focused on advancing social impact work. Lucas is also a translator, intern at the Yale School of Management, and student manager for Yale Hospitality — roles he undertakes with humility and consistency. Whether working in a Connecticut prison, a Hong Kong classroom, or Pierson College’s dining hall, he meets each task with grace, discipline, and an unwavering sense of moral responsibility.”
Noah Tirschwell, Saybrook College
“With his contributions to our university community, Noah embodies the spirit of this award through his demonstrated commitment to fostering dialogue, building community, and serving others. In these challenging times on college campuses, Noah has distinguished himself as a thoughtful and measured leader within the Jewish student community. His approach to difficult conversations demonstrates a remarkable maturity and commitment to fostering understanding across different perspectives. Rather than contributing to division, Noah has consistently worked to create spaces for meaningful dialogue while representing his community with dignity and wisdom beyond his years. His leadership at the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale exemplifies his talent for community building. By organizing faculty dinner nights, Noah has created valuable opportunities for students and professors to connect in meaningful ways outside the classroom, strengthening the fabric of our university community. This initiative reflects both his organizational abilities and his understanding that strong communities are built through shared experiences and open dialogue. What makes Noah particularly worthy of the Schroeder Award is not just what he has already accomplished, but what these accomplishments suggest about his future contributions to society. His demonstrated ability to lead with empathy and wisdom during challenging times, combined with his commitment to building bridges between different communities, suggests he will indeed ‘find his place and play a part in the good labor of the world.’”
William Barbee, Silliman College
“William Barbee has been a leader in altruism and social service in our residential college community. He actively participated as an event aide, graduation aide, and Yale College Council representative. William brings a focused spirit to his work in the college and solicits feedback from stakeholders about their preferences. He is always willing to lend a helping hand. Beyond those capacities, William’s broader service to the Yale community, and especially the political and religious communities, is notable, admirable, and should be recognized. He works as the speakers director for the Buckley program, the co-chair of the Episcopal church, and the guardian of the Federalist party. In these roles, he organizes critical community-belonging initiatives. Notably, many of these activities are the minority view on Yale’s campus and yet he perseveres. William engages his fellow students collaboratively, respectfully, and earnestly. His interests in politics and his relationship to the College also has encouraged him to serve our broader community. In his role as a Yale College Council senator, he led initiatives to improve students’ religious experiences on campus. He also advocated for creative solutions to issues facing students within the hospitality programs. Finally, he has encouraged the student body to consider ways to become more active and engaged in developing policies for student life at Yale. William has a caring and solid presence in the College; always walking through the courtyard with a smile and a willingness to lend a helping hand.”
Nicole Chen, Silliman College
“Nicole Chen has been a leader in presence and organization in our residential college community. She is the HoC office aide who has made significant improvements in our college. She has created new signage to make spaces more welcoming and engaging. She has improved internal systems to make the workflow more efficient. She also actively participates as a graduation aide, becoming the right-hand person for the Senior HoC AA. Nicole has become a student we can rely for help whenever needed. For Nicole, no task is too small. She brings a focused spirit to her work and thinks several steps ahead to envision systems that will help her fellow Sillimanders. Beyond these capacities Nicole’s broader service to the Yale community, and especially the legal and political realm, is notable, admirable, and should be recognized. She has shown a dependable commitment to work at the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal, Yale Politic, and as a part of the Yale Democrats. In each of these roles, she brings the same level of organization that she shows in the HoC Office. Nicole’s incredible hard work in the College and beyond makes her a perfect fit with this award. Nicole is a real leader. She is selfless; she is open; she is creative. She seamlessly bridges the administrative and student worlds. And, she has become embedded within the fabric of Silliman College.”
Alex Guzman Caceres, Timothy Dwight College
“Alex Guzman Caceres embodies generosity and a spirit of service. Her deep love for poetry is evident not only in her work as president of ¡Oye!, Yale’s Latine spoken word group, but also in the ways she lives her life. A deeply devoted La Casa Peer Liaison and Co-Head Student Coordinator, Alex is frequently praised by peers and professors alike as a model of warm, gentle, and reliable mentorship. Alex’s commitment to justice and community-building reach far beyond her academic work as an Ethnicity, Race, & Migration major. Whether it is working as a legal aid at the D.C. Superior Court’s Domestic Violence Intake Center, researching and engaging with mothers in the Haitian diaspora, or serving in her role as co-founder and secretary of Lawtinas, Yale’s first organization dedicated to empowering pre-law Latina students, Alex ensures that her courses on societal challenges intersect with her life outside the classroom. A Thrive peer mentor, she is a fierce advocate for and friend of first-generation, low-income Yale students and will be a Froco next year in Timothy Dwight College. In all she does, she strives to serve others, ‘using compassion and empowerment to meet their unique needs.’”
Yana Jayampathy, Trumbull College
“We are grateful to have students like Yana Jayampathy, who will ‘play a part in the good labor of the world’ and already exemplify those attributes. A Global Affairs major, Yana’s academic progress over the last three years has been excellent – she is also in the Global Health Studies certificate program and is on the pre-med track. Yana has served as a Communication and Consent Educator (CCE) since her sophomore year, where she works with a team of CCEs to foster safety, respect and inclusivity on campus. Yana has been a diligent student and leader, but she has taken it a step further when it comes to health advocacy. She is deeply committed to finding sustainable solutions for equitable and affordable healthcare access both domestically and internationally. Though we are confident that Yana will be able to do this in the future after she completes medical school, she is already doing this work. For example, Yana has pushed for healthcare access right here in Connecticut, particularly for children. John C. Schroeder would be proud of Yana’s efforts. Yana was recently selected to be our Head FroCo next year! Yana brings warmth to all that she does in our community, making her a particularly worthy recipient of the John C. Schroeder Award.”
Alexander O’Sullivan, Trumbull College
“Majoring in History with a Certificate in Education Studies, Alex O’Sullivan has an outstanding academic record and studied at Oxford during the spring term of his sophomore year. Alex’s extracurricular pursuits are deeply personal and far-reaching. He currently serves as Co-President of Generational African Americans Students Association, which is a Black student affinity group for African Americans of enslaved descent, and hosts weekly board and general meetings, and leads discussion events. He is the Co-Founder & Co-President of BlackBull, a Trumbull College Black student affinity group, which hosts bi-weekly college-wide events, including game-nights, baking activities, art-exhibits, and town halls. He is a Board Member & Workshop Coordinator for Yale Children’s Theater, where he leads weekly theater workshops for middle school and high school students on improvisation, playwriting, and acting skills. Mr. Schroeder was a clergyman, and Alex converted to Christianity while at Oxford last year. In a student spotlight on Yale’s Study Abroad website, Alex says, ‘The Church community in Oxford is truly one of a kind!’ This energy is something that one feels when talking to Alex. He has extraordinary grace, making him a wonderful recipient of the John C. Schroeder Award.”
Cuatro Villareal, Trumbull College
“Cuatro is a Humanities major who has wide ranging experiences in directing, writing, and acting in film and theater. His academic interests are broad – his pursuit of a major in Humanities is particularly fitting for that reason. Cuatro has dabbled in Environmental Studies, English, Political Science and pre-med – and his academic performance in this range of courses has been exceptional. Cuatro embodies the objective of the Creative and Performing Arts (CPA) competitions within the residential colleges and has received several CPA awards. He is an astute collaborator who brings unusual talents towards innovative performances. He has acted in several productions including ‘Bloodshot,’ ‘In the Heights,’ ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ and, most recently, ‘Fear and Trembling,’ which he also co-directed. Last semester, Cuatro directed, produced, edited, and acted in two short films. He has also written plays, including, ‘Pancho’ and ‘The Brain,’ which he wrote as part of a playwriting class, and which won the 2025 Yale Playwrights Festival award. When asked what the connecting thread across his diverse range of performances is, Cuatro replies ‘fun,’ and this is true whether he is in the foreground or background. He truly brings joy to his work and those who work with him, and we are delighted that he is a Schroeder Award recipient.”
Joseph Lentilhon Selden Memorial Award
The Joseph Lentilhon Selden Memorial Junior Award is given each year to a member of the junior class of Yale College whose verve, idealism, and constructive interest in music and the humanities exemplify those qualities for which Selden is remembered. In recent years this award has gone to students especially notable for their contribution in the field of music.
Zaida Rio Polanco, Benjamin Franklin College
“Zaida Rio Polanco is a talented artist who has performed multiple solo concerts (guitar and solo vocals) at Benjamin Franklin College, as well as at venues in New Haven (Toad’s Place with her band Solstice) and across the Northeastern US. She is a gifted singer-songwriter with a commanding stage presence and a growing national fan base. Zaida performs solo guitar and sings her original songs, but her impact on Yale’s musical community extends far beyond that. She is very active in a burgeoning Yale record label called 1701 and in Yale’s remake of the 1980s musical Grease, Zaida played Sandy, which truly speaks to her versatility, talent and coolness! Zaida has been incredibly generous with her time and music, both at Yale and at Benjamin Franklin College. She often plays in the colleges coffee shop during the winter and performs at the college’s outdoor (Kite and Key) musical venue in the spring.”
Seung Min Baik, Branford College
“Seung Min is deeply thoughtful about his relationships, and he takes his commitments to others seriously: whether it is by approaching the building of the Glee Club community with joy and energy as its social chair or its alumni coordinator, serving as a college aide (and as a FroCo, a role in which he will serve next year), volunteering in myriad roles around New Haven, or proposing innovative events that center inclusion as La Casa Head PL, Seung Min consistently thinks about how he can support others. Seung Min thinks about serving with and alongside others, rather than defining service as something that one can do for another: this philosophy makes his scholarship innovative and exciting, and his pleasure in community comes through in his Glee Club performances and in the work he does within the group — he wholeheartedly embodies the idealism that this prize recognizes. His involvement in campus and around the city reflect the type of leader that Seung Min is, as well: jovial, friendly, always eager to listen, but also unafraid to ask difficult questions, to engage with uncomfortable topics, and to push for a communal vision for progress. His thoughtfulness has been an asset to his peers in Branford and to our college leadership, and he is the kind of student who will go on to contribute wherever he goes: we look forward to seeing him set the tone alongside his fellow FroCos and to continuing to hear him sing around campus next year!”
Mason Abrell, Davenport College
“Mason Abrell is a model of verve and idealism whose musical interests expand beyond his own performance to include promoting music education for young students. Since his arrival at Yale, Mason has played the flute in the Davenport Pops Orchestra and currently serves as the Davenport Liaison for DPops, helping to connect this outstanding musical ensemble to the life of its namesake college. Mason is also a strong advocate for music education, helping to promote interest in and access to music programs for younger generations through exposure and enrichment programs that encourage younger students to explore the powerful and enriching world of music.”
Rory Bricca, Ezra Stiles College
“Rory Bricca is a composer, conductor, arranger, pianist, and French horn player. He has made his mark on campus not only through his talent and artistry as a musician, but also in his support of other musicians and his contributions to music programming in the residential college and beyond. At Yale, Rory plays French horn in the Concert Band, French horn and percussion in the Davenport Pops Orchestra, and piano in the Crescent Sextet jazz ensemble. He also contributes to campus groups and shows as a composer and arranger: he is the Head Student Arranger for the Yale Precision Marching Band and the bandleader for the Pierson Swing Band and composed music for the 2024 production of Angels in America. He served as the co-music directorof original student musical, “The Postmodern Prometheus” and the Opera Theater’s performance of Spanish-language opera ‘Darwin en Patagonia.’ Several of his compositions have been performed at Yale; most notable, perhaps, was ‘Duplicity,’ a wind ensemble piece that the Yale Concert Band played in Woolsey Hall. In all his musical commitments, Rory draws on deep wells of talent, novel creativity, enthusiasm, and community-mindedness. He blends these musical interests with his classroom scholarship, creating interdisciplinary projects that appeal to a wide range of listeners and shed new light on his subjects. Rory’s style, both as a composer and as a community member, is marked not only rigor and commitment, but also by delight. He describes his compositions as ‘playful’ and ‘whimsical,’ and he believes it is important for his work to be both novel and accessible. He describes his wide range of musical commitments as being ‘all united by a common joy and enthusiasm for the act of creating music.’”
Thara Joseph, Grace Hopper College
“Thara Joseph has been Grace Hopper’s double bassist extraordinaire and has performed in the Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective (where she is also a board member) and in the Yale Jazz Ensemble. She has also served as Head of Music Industry Outreach at 1707 records (Yale’s ‘only record label dedicated to Yale student artists’) and has performed elsewhere as a freelance musician in New York, New Haven, and Jacksonville, Florida. Thara’s performances in the Yale and New Haven jazz scenes have included Charles Mingus’s ‘Epitaph’ at Yale, in April 2023, when she played with the Mingus Big Band, organized by the Ellington Jazz series, and including the Director of the Yale Jazz Ensembles and Yale students. This spring, one way her musical aptitude played out was in Thara’s work on the Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective’s 12th Annual Jazz Festival, as the YUJC partnered with the Schwarzman Center in planning for the remarkable event. Thara’s service in music can also be seen in her work with the Yale Jazz Ensemble Big Band, for which she has created musical arrangements for ensemble performances by leading creative ‘think-tank’ sessions. Likewise, it is visible in the many gigs and performances to which Thara has contributed, including the president’s winter party in December 2024. Thara’s skill has been recognized beyond Yale, in New York, where, during the 2024 summer, she worked at the Jazz Workshop Inc.—Charles Mingus Institute. Indeed, Thara’s penchant for finding and navigating new forms to share her love of music with others has allowed her to share the gift of musical creation beyond her own performances.”
Kaj Litch, Grace Hopper College
“Kaj Litch is Grace Hopper College’s standout fiddler. Hailing from Orcas Island, Washington (with a population of roughly 5,000 people), Kaj arrived at Yale impressing his FroCos and fellow first-year friends with his musical talent and his simultaneously humble panache for performance and bringing large groups of people together around bluegrass tunes. Proud of the music he makes, he evinces a unique flavor of the ‘verve’ and ‘idealism’ that musical performance — and true love of music — can sound out. As co-leader of The Litch Brothers, a four-piece bluegrass band that tours internationally, he and his band are featured on TEDx, and they have performed at venues like The Royal Festival Hall in London and the Station Inn Nashville. The band has also recorded and produced three studio albums. Next-up venue: the Grey Fox Music Festival in July 2025. At Yale, Kaj has also been a member and business manager, since 2022, of Tangled Up in Blue, performing vocals, fiddle, and guitar for Yale’s premier folk music ensemble while also managing finances, booking, and the band’s tour schedule. Serving also as a FOOT leader since 2023, Kaj has made waves beyond his island home — musically, academically, and in his efforts to help bring others together. His musical talents and creative interests in the humanities have made an impact here and will carry on after his years at Yale.”
Zeph Siebler, Jonathan Edwards College
“Zeph Siebler is our college’s equivalent of the ‘Music Man’ who infects a whole community with his love of song. He plays seven instruments and he composes, writes lyrics, and directs musical theater. As a student of philosophy with a love of cross-cultural learning, Zeph pursues music both for its own beauty and for its ability to tell stories and unite people. His talent was first recognized on a national scale when, inspired by the complexity of Nietzsche’s writings, he wrote a rock opera about the life of the thinker titled “Overman.” This work won him a National Endowment for the Arts Songwriting Award as a high school senior. Three years later, Zeph has immersed himself completely in the musical theater scene at Yale, serving as a conductor, singer, solo violinist (among other positions!) for an amazing ten student productions. His work includes directing ‘Newsies,’ music arrangement for ‘21 Chump Street,’ and conducting Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘H.M.S. Pinafore.’ Our college sponsored a professional Spanish-language opera called ‘Darwin en Patagonia’ last semester for which Zeph sung in the ensemble, conducted, and performed a thousand other tasks necessary to transplanting this inspired work from Argentina to New Haven. Zeph is currently debuting his next full-length musical, ‘Magpie’s Song.’ This work, based on Chinese folklore, engages audiences by allowing them to determine the sequence of performances. Zeph’s artistry is driven by a deep intellectual engagement with music as a reflection of the human spirit, and his work is infused with a dynamic energy that inspires all.”
Paul Ji, Morse College
“As a winner for this year’s Joseph Lentilhon Selden Memorial Award, Paul Ji is a standout musician and accomplished pianist at Yale. Long before he won the annual Concerto Competition with the School of Music this past spring, Paul performed on the French classical music television show ‘Prodiges,’ where in 2020 he won first prize for season six. In France, for his volunteer work and performances, he was also awarded the distinction of Bellifontain d’honneur from the mayor of Fontainebleau. His talents have been since on a vast international scale, performing regularly in China, France, the UK, and across the US. Here at Yale, Paul can easily be found playing pianos across Morse College, offering lessons to friends, and sharing his love for classical music with his community. Anyone can come watch Paul in New Haven next term, as part of his prize for winning the annual Concerto Competition with the Yale School of Music is that he will perform with the Yale Symphony Orchestra in Fall 2025.”
Quincy Rosenzweig, Morse College
“Despite the rigorous demands of his academic pursuits, Quincy Rosenzweig has consistently demonstrated outstanding musical talent and dedication. As a member of the a capella group, the Doox of Yale, Quincy has held multiple leadership roles, including business manager, tour manager, and album manager. In these capacities, he has coordinated over 30 performances, earning $20,000 for the group, arranged lodging and transportation for international and domestic tours, and recorded and collaborated with professionals to edit, mix, and master their album. His commitment to excellence in these roles has significantly contributed to the success and visibility of Doox of Yale. Additionally, his involvement in the Yale Dramatic Association as treasurer, technical director, and house manager further showcases his dedication to the arts. Quincy has managed finances and business strategy for a six-production season, led crews in constructing sets for multiple shows, and overseen ticketing and audience management during performances. His ability to balance these responsibilities with his academic workload is a testament to his exceptional organizational skills and unwavering commitment to his passions. In the coming year, Quincy will be traveling the world representing Yale and singing with the Whiffenpoofs.”
Nathaniel Strothkamp, Pierson College
“Nathaniel Strothkamp is majoring in American Studies and pursuing an Intensive Certificate in Education Studies. He is a gifted violinist. He has dazzled not only his instructors with his talents but also music lovers and civically engaged members of the Yale and New Haven community. Nate entered Yale as a seasoned musician having started his violin training at the age of five, performing as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Beaverton Symphony Orchestra, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Even recently, he was selected to participate at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Castleman Quartet Program, Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Chamber Music Northwest Young Artist Institute, and the prestigious Norfolk Music Festival. Not only is Nate a valued member of the YSO, but he also studies and works tirelessly with Professor Wendy Sharp to hone his craft. Nate studies to master his suitably challenging repertoire, and to improve his technical skills and general musicianship. That repertoire includes movements of Mendelssohn concertos in detail, performing both in studio class, bowing exercises with scales as well as Sevcik studies, first 1/2 of the B minor partita, and Billy Childs Partita. He works weekly for ten hours of individual private lessons. Between lessons, he is expected to practice at least six hours to prepare for the next meeting. As his current teacher Professor Wendy Sharp notes, ‘Nate is indeed quite an unusually gifted musician, perhaps among the best 2 or 3 three I’ve taught in all my years at Yale. He is a nice, low-key modest person, but truly an exceptional violinist. Nate was chosen to play in a Yale Symphony sponsored masterclass for violinist/conductor Joel Smirnoff (formerly of the Juilliard Quartet). Mr. Smirnoff was really impressed with his Mendelssohn Concerto. Nate was co-concertmaster for the YSO’s tour to Greece. This past summer, Nate also had a wonderful opportunity at the Norfolk Music Festival. Out of all the elite mostly graduate-level students at the festival, three (one violinist, one violist and one cellist) were chosen to perform the Borodin String Quartet on the faculty artist series with the Brentano Quartet’s Serena Canin. Nate was picked to play first violin and did a spectacular job! You indeed have a wonderful musician in your midst!’ Nate is not only musically minded, but also civically engaged. He serves as a teaching assistant for Music Haven. His most recent activity is collaborating with Professor Suttor on a project entitled, ‘Addressing Climate Change Through the Music of Bird Murmuration.’ He is a teaching artist in the New Haven Music in Schools Initiative. He has conducted research on teacher effectiveness through Education Studies. Finally, his research on middle class involvement in urban public schools has helped Professor Mira Debs create a comprehensive literature review documenting harmful racial/class biases in education policy and parent-teacher relationships.”
Thisbe Wu, Saybrook College
“No one who has seen Thisbe Wu, even from a distance, can deny her verve. No one who has spoken to her can deny her idealism. And no one who has watched or heard her large body of musical performances and staged productions can deny that her interest in music and the humanities is pervasive and runs hot and deep. Her interest in the arts is, with reference to Mother Yale, prenatal; as a child she sang in the Children’s Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera and interned in the Metropolitan Museum’s Asian Art Department. As soon as she appeared on the scene in Saybrook, she became involved in the arts. She volunteered to sing in the first evening-length opera to premiere at Yale in thirty years and has performed in twelve other Yale College productions. She has directed or helped produce several productions, as well. Her activities on campus include directing the Yale Slavic Chorus, serving as head illustrator for the Yale Daily News Magazine, chairing the Art Committee in the Saybrook College Council, serving as stage director for Opera Theater of Yale College, and singing in the Glee Club. Even her student job is in the Special Collections Department of the Arts Library, where she’s worked on independent creative and archival projects using the holdings there. This is to say nothing of her activities off campus. Thisbe is a vibrant dynamo, scintillating at the very heart of the arts at Yale.”
Jairus Rhoades, Silliman College
“Jairus Rhoades has shared his love of music with others in nearly all his roles at Yale College. He is the artistic director for the students of the Indigenous Peoples of Oceania, a member of the Yale Symphony Orchestra, and co-president of the Yale Undergraduate Piano Collective. His place as one of Yale’s most distinguished undergraduate pianists is widely recognized and indeed admired by his peers. Beyond his virtuosity, Jairus distinguishes himself as someone with a keen insight into the role that musical performance plays in community. In Silliman College, he regularly discusses the vocation of musicians as an entertainer and the power of music to bring together communities. He organizes masterclasses with world renowned musicians in our common room. He meets with younger students to get them oriented to the music opportunities at Yale. Further, he seeks to amplify the sound of indigenous people in his role as the president of the Yale American Indian Science and Engineering Society, where he has organized events focused on applying technology to the artistry of indigenous people. Jairus has distinguished himself in his arduous commitment to music and in his enviable ability to maintain a robust set of undergraduate activities. Those who know Jairus know not only his passion but also his gift for music, and his dedication to using that gift to address the needs of the world. Jairus continuously combines his interests to imagine fantastic performances and to bring communities together.”
