My Iona

G.A.E.L. Awards

The 18th Annual Gala for Achievement in Excellence and Leadership Awards Ceremony

April 24, 2023

Each year, the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs hosts the Gala for Achievement in Excellence and Leadership Awards Ceremony (G.A.E.L. Awards) to celebrate and acknowledge the many student leaders at Iona University. The 2023 ceremony was held on April 24 at 6 p.m. in Hynes Arena. Students were welcomed with remarks by President Dr. Carey and 2022-2023 Student Government Association President Aidan Connolly. The event was emceed by Seniors Leah Figueroa and Nya Figueroa.

1. Fraternity Man of the Year: Remeez Loane

2. Sorority Woman of the Year: Megan Sweeney

3. Organization of the Year: Delta Theta Beta

  1. SLAM Member of the Year: Dyamon White
  2. Ace of Initiative:
    1. Michael Levin
    2. Logan Balsan
  3. Club of the Year: Organization for Latin American Students
  1. Commitment to Intellectual Enrichment Award: Education Club
  2. Commitment to Service Award: American Cancer Society (ACS) – On Campus
  3. Commitment to Diversity Award: West Indian Student Establishment (W.I.S.E.)
  4. Class Senator of the Year Award: Myles Chiarello
  5. Rising Star Award: Sabryna Custodio
  6. Advisor of the Year: Melody Nunez
  7. Organization of the Year Award: Gaels Activities Board (G.A.B.)
  8. Charlie Carlson Award: Dean Defino
  1. Best Collaboration of the Year Award: The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Club
  2. Superb Showing Award: Directors of Iona and Beyond
  1. Club Sports Senior Award: Brendan Buckley (Rugby)

  2. Female MVP: Savannah Durant (Esports & Softball)

  3. Male MVP: Abraham Samarneh (Esports)

  1. Star Performers:   
    1. Logan Balsan
    2. Victoria Biordi
    3. Aidan Murphy
    4. Ryan Murphy
    5. Marina Pan
    6. Riley Sheehan
    7. Rebecca Turley
    8. Laurifel Vasquez
  2. Gold Star - Creative & Community Leadership Award: Alyssa Lewandowski
  3. Gold Star - Outstanding Contribution Award: Brendan Broesler
  4. Shining Star - Coach/Director Of The Year: Kristie Botti
  5. Shining Star - Performer Of The Year: Alyssa Green
  1. The St. Columba Awards:
    1. Luke Blackmon

    2. Gabriella Borges

    3. Mary Crinnion

    4. Lyndsay Gonzalez 

    5. Rachelle LaCroix

    6. Alexandra Dawson

    7. Lauren Hurson

    8. Francesca Spino

    9. Elizabeth Kiernan 

    10. Jamie Sullivan

    11. Javier Raudales

    12. Megan Sweeney

  2. Edmund Rice Exceptional Leadership Awards:   

    1. Jamie Sullivan

    2. Elizabeth Kiernan

  3. Peace and Justice Award: Lauren Hurson

  4. Dr. Carl Procario-Foley Award: Meg Sweeney

  5. Campus Minister of the Year: Javier Raudales

  1. Outstanding Programmer Award: Lazar Paroski
  2. Unsung Hero Award: Carlisa Headley
  3. Make Iona Your Home Awards:
    1. James Melvin
    2. Laila Ojeda
  4. Commitment to Diversity Award: Gerry Vargas
  5. Senior Resident Assistant of the Year: Sabrina Veliz
  6. Rookie of the Year Awards:

    1. Haley DeAngelo

    2. Samantha Jones

  7. RA of the Year Award: Klover Phillips

  1. Commuter Assistants of the Year:
    1. Maria Foley
    2. Konstantina Sgolombis
  1. Career Development Leadership Award: Julia Lidnert Isaksson
  2. Career Development Rising Star Award: Carla Reyes

 

  1. Mary Elliott Rice Award: Katherine Geslak
  1. Most Dedicated Award: Maria Foley
  2. Gael Guide of the Year: Gabriela Barrerio
  1. Mildred Squires Award: Megan Sweeney
  2. Joseph E. Powell Award: Aidan Connolly
  3. Julia Friedman Award: Dyamon White
  4. Sullivan Award: Mohamed Salah
  1. Dedication Awards:       

    1. Sihanne Appolon

    2. Olivia Kilkenny

  2. Generosity Award: Cristopher Castillo

  3. Spirit Awards:

    1. Myles Chiarello

    2. Malissa Ramnauth

  4. Tradition Awards:

    1. Katherine Geslak

    2. Meg Sweeny

  5. Student Advocacy Awards:   

    1. Michael Levine

    2. Gabrielle Rodriguez

  6. Inspiration Awards:

    1. Dyamon White

    2. Haley Aversa

  7. Innovation Awards:        

    1. Lloyd Watson

    2. Gabby Riccio

  8. Unsung Heros Awards:

    1. Shane Cannon

    2. Elizabeth Kiernan

  9. Maroon and Gold Award: Aidan Connolly

  10. Gael of the Year Award: Mohamed Salah

  11. Iona in Mission Award: Ben Danialian