First Lap Award ￨Vincent Miraglia Award￨ Extra Mile Awards ￨ Marathon Awards ￨ Melissa Hamann Awards ￨ Mary E. Card Award ￨ Faculty & Staff Awards￨Faculty Marshal and Graduation Speakers | Cardinal Hickey Award ￨ Columbus Awards ￨ Joan Vorrasi Memorial Award
On April 25, Catholic Law hosted its cherished spring traditions, the Columbus Awards Night and Aficionado Night. These events brought together the Catholic Law community to celebrate and honor the outstanding contributions of students, faculty, and staff to the law school.
The evening began with a lively reception in the Louise H. Keelty and James K. Keelty, Jr. Atrium, followed by an inspiring awards ceremony held in the Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. Auditorium. Hosts Patrick Burnette (1L), Sofia Guirguis (2L) and Jessica Merino (3L) guided the program seamlessly, setting the tone for a night filled with recognition and celebration. The ceremony featured class skits and awards for professional excellence and contributions to the law school. The event closed by celebrating Jessica Merino, who was honored for her three years of exceptional service as host of the Columbus Awards Night.
Following the awards ceremony, the festivities continued with Aficionado Night, hosted by the Evening Law Students Association. Held in the Knights of Columbus Courtyard, the event provided a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere where students, faculty, and staff reflected on the year’s accomplishments and enjoyed the spirit of community as the academic year came to a close.
Below, you’ll find the award recipients from the 2025 Columbus Awards Night:
Class Celebration: Samantha Winter
Commencement: Peyton Smetana
Faculty Marshal: Professor Heidi Mandanis Schooner
For dedicated service to the law school community during the first year of law study
Fiorella Contreras
Brandon Delgado
Hannah Doyle
Carmen Evans
Pete Leggett
Robert Mendez
Isabella Pastore
Samantha Popper
Nadia Robles-Osorio
Daisy Scarvell
Seamus Smiley
Emmet Sullivan
Anna Turrietta
Ashleigh Wilson
For outstanding service to the law school community
Victoria Aghamalian
Albert Anaim
Alondra Ayala-Coria
Chloe Butler
Wonsup Chung
Krysten Diaz-Silveira
Jim DiFrancesco
Keelin Ferris
Gabriella Goodall
Sofia Guirguis
Logan Holmes
Alex Kagan
Tyler Kohutanycz
Bradley Krause
Katie Mars
Jay Jay McCargo
Kaylie McGraw
Brandon McKee
Joe Nazzaro
Zachary Novak
Niya Pattasseril
Valentina Perez
Rachel Phillips
Rebecca Regis
Katiah Scott
Claire Smith
Taylor Talley
Brenn Thompson
Sarah Webster
Reagan Yeatman
Michelle Vo
For those who have previously received the Extra Mile
Ally Calcerano
Kali Fields
Robert Hill
Joey Lopes
Jessica Merino
Mckenzie Mixon
Sarah Persico
Annie Pierce
Julie Reed
Leah Roddenberry
Jasmine Rountree
Gerald Sharpe
Jennifer Shepard
Peyton Smetana
Cynthia Turcios
Alexandra Van Cleef
Samantha Winter
For those who have previously received the Marathon Award
Latin American Law Students Association
Administrator of the Year:
Bryan McDermott
Staff Member of the Year:
Monica Allston
Most Supportive Professor:
Professor Stephen Mortellaro
Outstanding Adjunct Professor:
John Sharifi
Outstanding Professor for First Year Classes:
Professor Derek Webb
Outstanding Professor for Evening Classes:
Professor Mary Graw
Professor of the Year:
Professor Joel Alicea
Julio Veizaga in the Evening Division
