Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Arianna Robinson

Recognized for cultivating a brand of personal

development that embraces the essence of

Berkeley’s blend of research and reflection, the

scientific with the artistic, and the scholarly with

the athletic. In her professional pursuit as an

emerging author, Arianna has leveraged her

academic engagement through a diverse series of

humanities and social science courses, in tandem

with her passion for creative writing, to shed light

upon a variety of lived experiences. She confidently

leans on the craft of writing as a tool for humorous

expression and creation of alternate worlds.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Emma DeSilva

Recognized for shaping her identity as a

dedicated scholar via a tremendous work ethic in

the classroom and active involvement with

various campus student groups. Emma has been

praised by fellow peers for the organization and

focus she demonstrates through her daily

routines; yet she is always willing to work with

other students in enhancing their potential by

forming reliable and accountable study groups.

She naturally radiates leadership through her

actions and pursuits representing the Cal brand

via committees, conferences, and consulting.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Maxwell Hall

Recognized for manifesting a relevant path of

academic, athletic, and personal development with

a strategic, interrelated, and purposeful mindset.

Maxwell is truly an epitome of the Golden Bear

standard of excellence, maintaining consistent high

marks within a rigorous palette of courses, while

enhancing his professional interests on and off

campus. His recent achievements include serving as

a Fundraising Assistant with Friends of California

Crew, interning with Starwood Land Ventures and

Harvard Investments, and maintaining an active

role in numerous impactful organizations.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekZoe Feist

Recognized for expanding her horizons through an

engaged mindset that actively values consciousness

of self, others, and context. As a Political Science

major, Zoe recognizes the significance of research,

community, and mentorship. In her journey thus far

at Cal, she has taken initiative to address all three

aspects by serving as an investigative assistant for

the campus I-School; an active member of Delta

Gamma; a student ambassador for the Cal

Football Recruiting Office; a short-term civic

intern with SportInspired in London; and a

volunteer mentor for the Sage Mentorship Project.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekAshten Smith-Gooden

Recognized for utilizing her optimistic viewpoints

and influential leadership traits to employ others

around her to think more reflectively and

strategically. Ashten has proudly represented the

Cal Golden Bear community in numerous

capacities both on and off campus. She has served

as a Peer Facilitator for the Freshman Scholar-

Athlete Transition Seminars; engaged in

meaningful dialogue and networking at the Black

Student-Athlete Summit in Austin, TX; and

presented research gathered on identity and

campus climate to the Athletic Director’s Cabinet.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekNick Hamilton

Recognized for carrying the Golden Bear torch of

excellence and equity via the academic, athletic,

professional, and personal decisions he makes

daily. Nick has been praised by faculty, coaches,

staff, and peers for being the epitome of lifelong

learning both on and off the court. He has seen his

dedication to the craft of self-development reap

rewards in many ways. As a Gates Millennium

Scholar he arrived in Berkeley with the highest

expectations to get the most out of this journey,

and in the process earned his leadership stripes as

an esteemed peer, teammate, and advisor.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekCeleste West

Recognized for honing her academic skills through

persistence in the classroom, starting assignments in a

timely manner, and aspiring to higher ground, as

evidenced by her application to an impacted major.

Celeste has built rapport with her professors and

advisors through consistent use of office hours, shedding

light upon the rigors of being in season while remaining

accountable to her academic performance. She has

emerged as a leader, providing support and adding depth

to her team’s performance. Beyond the court and

classroom, she is active with Team IMPACT, a national

non-profit that connects children facing serious and

chronic illnesses to local college athletic teams.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekMeredith Haggerty

Recognized for expanding her professional horizons

while maintaining a high standard of excellence

within the classroom and on the field. Meredith has

truly owned her 4-year experience paving a unique

path as a Media Studies major by registering for an

array of interdisciplinary courses that complement

her personal interests. She has taken purposeful

initiative to gain on-the-job training by serving as a

Sales and Marketing Intern with STX; an Executive

Assistant with UniversalGiving; a Special Events

and PR Intern with CSN Bay Area & California; a

Customer Events Intern with Okta, Inc.; and most

recently, a Virtual Intern with One Love Foundation.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Natan Wegrzycki-Szymczyk

Recognized for enhancing his teamwork skills that are

crucial for racing preparation and vital for collaborative

projects in the classroom. Beyond embracing the Cal

scholar-athlete brand, Natan is a member of the Polish

National Team, and competes annually at the Rowing

World Championships. Professionally, he is currently

serving as an intern with the Cal Athletics Development

Office, where he assists with day to day analytics projects

and relationship building with donors. He is determined to

pursue post-graduate interests by recently applying to

a competitive program at the University of Cambridge,

with clear intent to research the significance of Corporate

Social Responsibility as a mode of societal impact.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the WeekMaria Herraez

Recognized for channeling her passion for meaningful

STEM research by setting the accountability bar

high on a daily basis. From the moment she arrived

on campus, Maria has embraced her personal and

professional development via timely interaction with

ASC staff, diversified peer engagement, and relevant

campus connections. In the process, she has earned

and currently holds the highest GPA on her team

while continuing to pursue opportunities to grow via

collaborative relationships through dialogue;

greater understanding of social and cultural nuances

through perspectives; and a wider appreciation of

public service through a self-driven mindset.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Maggie Bell

Recognized for integrating an exemplary approach

to holistic development via dedicated academic

consistency, determined athletic training, and

diversified professional experiences. Maggie has

embraced Cal in many capacities serving as the Vice

President of Activities for the Golden Bear Advisory

Committee; a Sports Reporter for Cal TV; and a

Communications Intern for SCN Strategies. She has

logged in valuable time by providing insight as a

member of the National Society of Leadership and

Success and volunteering as an academic and athletic

youth mentor with the Sports4Kids organization.

Athletic Study Center Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Bjorn Hoffmann

Recognized for aspiring to simultaneously build a

strategic bridge between his athletic and professional

endeavors via an academic game plan for success.

Bjorn has embraced the intellectual camaraderie and

diversity of resources available to him, and has

channeled that toward achieving consistently high

marks within a rigorous set of courses. He has also

gained valuable experience as an intern performing

market research, economic analysis, and reviewing

operating agreements for a business valuation firm. He

plans on utilizing the knowledge and skills gained at

Cal to establish his own entrepreneurial business.