The Office of Student Life (OSL) rolled out the red carpet this year for the recognized leaders of our campus.
Those who walked the red carpet earned their invitation after being nominated, and selected as an official finalist.
“If they took this much time to go over this many nominees, it’s a honor to be here,” said Kalvin Ogbuefi, a Distinguished Leadership award finalist.
Ogbuefi’s leadership category pulled in more than 30 nominated individuals, and he was one of the seven leaders selected as a finalist. As a RA and member of several on campus organizations, he said “I make it one of my highest priorities to set the atmosphere and tone for what I can bring to the people around me.”
Among the selected number of finalists at the event was leader of the Martial Arts Team club, Craig Sano. Sano received the Cobi Jones Male Sports Club Athlete of the Year Award. His guest for the event called him a hard worker, stating that he’s “always busy, always saving time for us… and always a good inspiration for us.”
Sano had Martial Arts experience before attending UC Merced, and shared that experience with his organization. Sano considers teaching martial arts rewarding.
“Martial arts helps you build self-esteem. Before you’re walking around timid, shy, and just knowing if the situations actually called for it, you could defend yourself,” he said.
Another Leadership Award went to the Pilipino American Alliance (PAA). Members of PAA Ronnel Yabut and Monique De Villa – current Directors of Pilipino Cultural Night – said “We’re here to represent PAA. As a club, we strive to maintain a lively, and fun organization that can better any student.”
PAA consistently offers a welcoming hand to any newcomer. One member said “You don’t need to be Pilipino to join the club. PAA’s more about the culture than the identity.”
When De Villa joined PAA last spring, she discovered “In addition to the leadership skills, I’ve shaped my values and becoming traits through PAA” She feels that, as a newly appointed Cabinet member, she’ll be able to give back by bringing her becoming traits and unique experience to the PAA table.
Salvatore Angrisani
Staff Writer
sangrisani@ucmerced.edu