Class of 2020 Outstanding SSW Students by Emily Stone

Amber Barcel, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-05-29 01:23:39 UTC

Amber has been a leader in and out the classroom. She gives voice to difficult realities, and advocates for meaningful and lasting change. This program has been better with Amber as a part of it.

Exemplary student, phenomenal friend, and the future of macro Social Work!

Milena Gordillo, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-05-29 01:24:07 UTC

Not only is Milena an ESL student, she is a profound student with amazing insight and a community member who always supports her classmates.

Patanjali de la Rocha, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-05-29 01:24:15 UTC

Patanjali is so insightful, and has added so much to the SSW learning experience. I have appreciated their questions and creative re-imagining. They will undoubtedly continue doing amazing work after graduation.

T. Crandall, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-05-29 01:24:26 UTC

As one of the older students in the program, T. has engaged with so much grace and heart. I have the utmost respect for T.'s unique perspective, and ability to navigate through a difficult program with humility and modesty, all while learning a new set of skills. I'm very proud of T. and the accomplishments T.'s made thus far!

Caera Gramore, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:23:45 UTC

Caera is wicked smart and shares her knowledge in ways that provoke thought and invite collaboration. When I have shared struggles with Caera, she responds in ways that ensure me she is in this challenge WITH me. She is bold when she needs to be, and listens intently to those around her.

Amelia Gross, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:24:29 UTC

She did incredible policy and advocacy work during the program!

Erin Harrop, PhD

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:24:48 UTC

You are a person who inspired others. Your tenacity and hard work being a professor, mother, Social Worker, advocate and other social roles in our community is inspirational for many of us. We look up to you!!! You have worked towards your degree as a Ph.D and push others in their journey. You are an advocate and meet others whatever they are. You can see people’s strengths which gives empowerment and hope. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and privileges to work towards social justice and supporting others. You are an amazing human being; please do not let the oppressive system change your advocacy and love for others we need more social workers like you!

Claudia Linares, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:25:22 UTC

Claudia has been a social worker from day one and is not scared of stepping up for those in need. Claudia's mission to help people of color, especially the Latinx community is inspiring. Claudia not only does amazing work, but motivates students and community members around her to act. Claudia truly is a social worker involved in micro, mezzo and macro.

Zach Lynch, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:26:05 UTC

Zach is an inspiring, organized activist whom is open to helping anyone. He is passionate, eloquent and well-connected. He has been at the forefront of a couple different organizing advocacy efforts with students. His social justice work covers from local issues all the way to state legislature.

Karissa Masciel, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:26:32 UTC

Karissa's enthusiasm is contagious. She is an inquisitive, healing presence and an astrology expert.

Karissa's building new worlds through social work and we're all just lucky to catch up. Those of us who have had the opportunity to know her are forever changed because of it.

Ari McLaren-Simpson, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:27:38 UTC

Ari is an outstanding leader both in and out of the School of Social Work. They bring the spirit of social justice to their classes, practicum, and activism. Ari continuously fights for black and POC voices to be heard, and supports the community through their work within prisons and early childhood education reform. They always support and uplift their cohort and bring a sense of community to the school.

Alma Mendoza, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:28:04 UTC

Alma has consistently been one of the sweetest members of our cohort, and very supportive to fellow students. She made valuable contributions to our classes and group projects. Thank you Alma!

Maya Montemayor, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:28:29 UTC

The biggest heart in the smallest body. So thankful to have met you & learned from you this past year. Can't wait to see all you will accomplish as a social worker XOXO

Angie Moore, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:28:55 UTC

Angie's inclusive and warm-hearted nature is incredibly appreciated among so many members of the SSW cohort! Angie's ability to bring authenticity, humility, and endless curiosity to class discussions was inspiring and grounding. She always brought a smile to my face even on some of the hardest days.

Jenn Nguyen-So, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:29:18 UTC

Jenn was such a huge support to everyone in our cohort!

Kunbi Olukoya, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-05 01:29:42 UTC

Kunbi always had valuable things to say in our classes, provided support to fellow students in group projects, and has really stood out as an excellent scholar throughout our MSW program. Thank you Kunbi!

Simran Pannu, BASW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:26:38 UTC

Simran is such a resilient person. She has faced many difficult challenges in her college career and has worked so hard to overcome them. Simran is a friend to everyone in our cohort and is always down for an adventure.

Most resilient

Kenia Ramirez, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:31:55 UTC

Kenia's steadfast devotion to the communities she serves, particularly the Latinx and immigrant populations, is evident in the way she speaks, the way she shows up, and the way she carries herself. It was a honor being in class with Kenia and I can't wait to see what big things she does!!

Kenia has gone above and beyond to utilize her SSW experience to aid the Latino community and build a network for current and future Latino social workers.

Barbara (Babs) Reynolds, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:32:44 UTC

She has worked so hard to try and make a community for the black MSW students.

Samantha Kern, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:33:59 UTC

Sam is a phenomenal leader and social justice advocate. She is collaborative, passionate, and just a straight up bad ass. Sam has so many qualities of a social worker I try to emulate and I am so lucky she was part of our cohort.

Abandon Shuman, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:34:43 UTC

You are a resilient a natural leader. Your willingness to share your culture and work to push back the oppressive system. You fight and remind us that Native Americans are here and that their legacy is not erased by colonization. It is an honor to have you in the School of Social Work. Your sense of community provided the opportunity to many of us to find an extended family far from our homes. You allow us to grow and challenged us to trouble the status quo. We admire your scholarship, experiences and your humanity. You are seen, you are held, you are heard, you are loved. Chi miigwech!!

Abandon brings so much to class discussions and thinks critically about the texts and ideas that are being brought into the classroom. Abandon is also a reflective, caring, and intentional person. I appreciate that they think critically about what it means to be a social worker and analyze the terminology that so often gets thrown around in lectures.

Lelio Solowonuik, BASW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:40:57 UTC

Funniest and most contagious laugh.

Emily Stone, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:41:48 UTC

Emily has consistently shown leadership, initiative, and dedication to pushing forward ideas and processes that help better community engagement and student experience at the School of Social Work. Emily's contributions are invaluable and has definitely made a lasting impact to her peers, and the SSW community.

Emily has been a powerful advocate for her cohort, serving on SAC and meeting with Field faculty to ensure EDP students have more access to macro practicum placements since they are limited to clinical concentrations. She also serves on the graduation planning committee, which has taken up a lot of her already busy schedule. Emily is collaborative and brings great cohesion to the cohort!

Jemma Stratton, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:43:19 UTC

An excellent writing center tutor, incredible social worker & even better friend. Love you & Congrats Jemm.

Stacie Tao, BASW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:46:51 UTC

Stacie is a fierce advocate for those in the child welfare system. Her spirit is full of warmth, love, and curiosity.

Stacie is a friend to everyone in our cohort. She is kind, funny, and humble. She has the drive and motivation to truly change the world someday. I would not be surprised if she’s president someday.

Sazi Wald, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:47:44 UTC

Sazi has shown leadership in the MSW EDP Program from day one. Sazi's on-going efforts to gather and share resources has made a huge difference in our cohort. Sazi demonstrates humility and authenticity, which are two components often missing in leadership. Even as we say our good-byes, Sazi is continuing to gather our cohort via Zoom and shares fantastic post-grad resources.

Sazi has been a superstar in a cohort that was full of superstars. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without them and I am SO GRATEFUL to have met them. <3

Miriam Zeghmi, MSW

milenagordillo8 — 2020-06-07 06:49:25 UTC

You are bold, strong and resilient women. You show kindness, empowerment and hard work through the masters. The oppressive system wounded many community members and you stood up for them and yourself even though you were very injured too. You empowered others to speak up and be heard. You empowered a consciousness process of how as a community we can stand together to heal and change the status quo. Thank you for sharing your voice. You are a light for others who feel left behind. No one should be left behind, and you make it possible during the program. We are eager to see your path in the community giving light to others.

Miriam always brings thoughtful, important ideas to class discussions, especially around mental health and trauma and healing. She is also an incredibly caring, deep, and reflective person.

Lindsay Craven, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-07 21:22:12 UTC

Because she is a badass Indigenous who stands firmly for what she believes and promotes the rights and well being of BIPOC. Plus she wears killer earrings.

She is a beacon of strength, compassion, and hope, and always leads with a clear-minded focus on centering equity and social justice.

Diego Nunez, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-07 21:22:53 UTC

His dedication and advocacy as a student representative

Zephyr Mattinson, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-07 21:23:33 UTC

Zephyr puts her money where her mouth is. She marches, she puts her body on the line, she shows fierce love and compassionate accountability, she’s a humble and voracious learner, she creates openings, invites grace and throws down for human dignity.

Zephyr is an incredible human who is committed to pursuing both social justice and personal growth in all things.

Daicia Mestas, MSW

emilystonemsw — 2020-06-07 21:23:45 UTC

A Latinx woman who brings joy to the entire cohort and is always there to serve those in need. Will spearhead the new revolution for racial justice.