Moonlight Scholars
2022-2023 Moonlight Scholars
Awarded in honor of HP alum Mahershala Ali '96
Inoke Waqavesi Jr.
FOURTH-YEAR, KINESIOLOGY
I was born and raised in Sacramento, California and am a first-generation American-Fijian. I am a Kinesiology major with an emphasis in Sports Management and hope to return for the Master’s program as well. Rugby has been such a major influence in my life. I hope to continue my career working within the USA Rugby Administration.
Yuli Gonzalez Mendoza
FOURTH-YEAR, POLITICAL SCIENCE
I was born and raised in Bay Point, California. I am involved in the DiverseAbilities club on campus as the club's scribe. This club is very important to me because I believe as a society we need to continue to break down negative stereotypes about people with disabilities. One day I would like to be a disabilities rights lawyer.
Keith Hayes
FOURTH-YEAR, HISTORY
I’ve always had an interest in film/television and sports, so naturally I became a history major (sarcasm). I entered college wanting to work for ESPN while minoring in film and acting. My third year in college I had an African-American History professor who helped me decide I want to major in history.
Daisy Guzman
FOURTH-YEAR, MUSIC
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember since my parents were both musicians, so I look forward to pursuing a career where I can put my love for it into practice! This summer I picked up the hobby of starting a Walkman and cassette tape collection.
Yolanda Ochoa
FOURTH-YEAR, SOCIOLOGY
I have an on-campus job in which I do Game Day Marketing and Promotions for SMC Athletics Department, and also an off-campus job as a Community Marketing Representative for the San Jose Earthquakes. I'm also in Gael Sisterhood and Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano. I hope to be a case worker for low-income housing.
JP Hernandez
FIRST-YEAR, UNDECLARED
Right now I'm undecided about my major but my interests are music, science, and sports. I'm currently on the Men’s Club Soccer team here at Saint Mary’s and I will attempt to walk on the men's Division One Soccer team. I was born and raised in Bay Point California by my wonderful parents that came from Mexico.
Galy Candido
FIRST-YEAR, UNDECLARED
I am involved in the Women’s Club Soccer team on campus. This club is very important to me because I believe that sports allow people to come together and work as a team. This plays into having good life skills because you learn how to work along with your peers. One day in the future I want to become a pediatrician.
Ayz Gomez
FIRST-YEAR, PSYCHOLOGY
I currently have a job at the library and I enjoy reading during my free time. In the future, I would like to go to graduate school and find a job where I am able to help people live their lives to the fullest and grow into the people they wish to become. I'm Spanish minor - continuing my education in the Spanish language is very important to me.
Alejandra Perez
FIRST-YEAR, BUSINESS
Since I was a little girl, my dream has been to attend college and become a very successful businesswoman, and I am now beginning my journey. I have a double concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. My family and I are beekeepers. During the summer, I help my father with the bees. I help him cure the bees when they are sick and collect honey, bee pollen, and royal jelly. The products we collect from our hives, we sell at a local farmer’s market.
Contact Us
High Potential Program
1928 St. Mary's Road
Assumption West Room 100-105
Moraga, CA 94575-3260
925.631.4835
hp@stmarys-ca.edu