They go above and beyond—and their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Last month, students, student organizations and clubs, and faculty members and staff whose commitment to putting Chaminade’s mission into action every day were recognized at the 17th annual Co-Curricular Awards. The event was a chance to thank awardees for their tireless efforts and showcase the positive difference they’re making across campus and the community.
In all, 19 awards were presented, including for service, scholarship and to outstanding student-athletes.
One member of each undergraduate class was selected to receive the Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence, which recognizes those who display exceptional leadership skills through involvement in co-curricular activities. The awardees, with a diversity of scholarly ambitions, were: freshman Moanna Blaksteen, sophomore Andrew Nishitomi, junior Kobe Ngirailemesang, and senior Josephine Iose.
The Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award went to the Chaminade Student Programming Board, which works to organize events and promote a sense of community on campus. The award recognized the organization’s outstanding contributions to helping create a positive and welcoming campus environment that embraces service and fosters a true sense of ‘ohana.
Meanwhile, two winners were selected for the Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award of Excellence, bestowed on a student or student organization for exceptional creativity, planning and execution of a university program that contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade. Ashley Yoshikawa and Kayleen Lau were recognized for their Field Day Fundraiser for the Our Kupuna Foundation, a nonprofit that connects kupuna with sponsors who can help them with errands. And Melissa Dela Cruz was also honored for her My Culture is Not a Costume event to bolster cultural understanding.
The Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award went to Malo Sipeli’i, for outstanding service mentoring a student organization. The award recognizes members of the faculty, staff or administration who seek to encourage and support students in leadership development and campus involvement.
Sipelii was also honored for a strong commitment to helping students greatly bolster their life skills, embrace innovative challenges, and balance and excel at their school, life and co-curricular obligations.
2022 Co-Curricular Awardees
- Male Athlete of the Year: Isaac Amaral-Artharee
- Female Athlete of the Year: Alexia Byrnes
- Silversword Award: Kayleen Lau
- Campus Ministry Award: Alia Mercado and Amber Sablan
- Liturgy Award: Liam Sullivan and Kobe Ngirailemesang
- Retreat Leader of the Year: Celine Mesiona-Perez and Kara Grace Joves
- Service Award: Kaitlin Derouin and Tiffany Rivera
- Outstanding Peer Mentor: Dimitrius Dominguez and Sharon Cain
- Resident Assistant Award of Excellence: Kelsey Sablan
- Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence: Cayenne Gabaylo and Jason Nowak
- Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence:
- Freshman: Moanna Blaksteen
- Sophomore: Andrew Nishitomi
- Junior: Kobe Ngirailemesang
- Senior: Josephine Iose
- Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award: Chaminade Student Programming Board
- Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award: Malo Sipeli’i
- Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence: “Field Day Fundraiser for Our Kupuna Foundation” (Ashley Yoshikawa & Kayleen Lau); “My Culture is Not a Costume” (Melissa Dela Cruz)
- Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award: Aloha Lei Garo and Sean-Zacharry Lorenzo, Jr.
- Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award: Alia Mercado and Alaina Mercado
