Associated Students honored five of its members with 2024 AS Core Values Awards for best exemplifying the organization’s values of Community, Advocacy, Legacy and Inclusion.

“They are exemplary student leaders who are passionate, enthusiastic — all who go beyond the extra mile on behalf of advocating for our students in many different ways,” said Joanna Iwata, AS Senior Coordinator of Governance and Operations.

“Each of them has excelled in their advocacy to represent the student body of over 6,000. … They have all initiated key projects that were unprecedented for us to do in response to the diverse needs of our student body.” 

Community - Kody Storms, AS Elections Commissioner
Storms created an online Drop Box that students can use to provide input on issues ranging from housing affordability, personal safety, basic needs and financial issues. Storms also ran extensive AS elections this year, creating more access for students interested in running for office. Up to 15 candidates ran for office, the most post-COVID-19. They organized two AS election debates at the World Theater, also a first. Storms graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in human communication

Advocacy - Jairo Gamez, College of Science Senator
Gamez helped set up a new $5,000 housing scholarship for students to address the affordable housing problem. AS received over 40 applications in the spring semester and 20 in the fall.

Gamez also worked closely with Personal Growth and Counseling Center staff to host blood drives on campus. He advocated for more lenient accommodations for those who could donate but were prevented from doing so because of their gender identity. Gamez recently graduated with a degree in marine science.

Legacy - Stephanie Arteaga, AS Student Assistant
Arteaga created new promotional materials for AS and the Student Engagement Leadership and Development Office throughout the year. Her ingenuity and professional skills helped to draw more students to different events and services, including excursions, the Farmer's Market, the Plunge, Shrek Rave and more. She graduated with a degree in communication design.

Inclusion - Angel Ray, Diversity and Inclusion Senator
Ray collaborated with various campus departments and student organizations to offer a diverse array of special awareness initiatives ranging from Holistic Wellness (the use of traditional herbs and remedies by Native Americans), The Clothesline Project (a project for SAAM month focusing on survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence), to a film screening and panel on the roles of Filipino laborers instrumental in the advocating for migrant workers before Cesar Chavez. Ray is a junior majoring in human development and family science.

Inclusion - Lexi Yokomizo, Sustainability Senator
Yokomizo planned and coordinated a three-day event focusing on sustainability along with annual AS Earth Day activities. Her Environmental Affairs Team’s work revolved around intersectionality as it related to social justice and sustainable environmental efforts. They produced three different monthly newsletters featuring articles on these important themes. She also served on the President's Sustainability Committee. With our Basic Needs Senator,  she started a new monthly “Sip and Swap” event at Otter Thursdays where students exchanged belongings for free. Yokomizo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences.