SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Proving that the "student" in "student-athlete" means just as much, 27 members of 14 teams, as well as one staff member, earned recognition at American International College's 2025-26 Co-Curricular Awards on Monday, April 20.

The John Homer Miller Emerging Leadership Award is given "to first-year or sophomore student(s) who have demonstrated leadership early in their college career." A number of young student-athletes were among the honorees, with Amalani Bonds and Victoria White of women's rugby, Yishmel Dechi and Amalia Vargas of women's soccer, Jordani Marcano of baseball, McBenedict Mweze of men's volleyball, Victoria Nelson of field hockey and women's lacrosse, and Nicolas Rocha of men's rugby earning the accolade.

The Student Life Recognition Award is "awarded to student(s) who have had a direct impact on improving an existing program or initiating a new program or organization." Baseball's Shai Cohen and track and field's Liam Francis were recognized for their work with the Sports Management Club, while women's rugby captain Annekkia Ritter-Truxal also earned the honor for her efforts with the Saremi Center.

Rugby players also did well in multiple other awards; Venise Sanft of the women's team won the Distinguished Service Award, which is "awarded to student(s) who do not necessarily hold a leadership position, but demonstrate loyalty and commitment to the enhancement of student life," while Ariel Balsamo and German Rossi won the Ingenuity Award, "awarded to student(s) who have shown a high level of creativity, uniqueness, and ingenuity in the design and delivery of programs," and Otsile Maphosa was given the Naomi White-Innis Social Justice Award, "awarded to student(s) who have triumphed over adversity, worked to bring the American International College community together, and exhibit the leadership qualities of Naomi White-Inniss who served 40 years as Director of Multicultural Affairs."

The Rex's Best Award, "awarded to juniors or seniors who have demonstrated personal growth through sustained leadership in clubs, organizations, athletics and/or in the community while serving as a positive role model both inside and outside of the classroom," was given to a handful of upperclassmen; among them were Victor Alamo and Aidan Miller of men's volleyball, Aguibou Balde of men's basketball, Silas Choge of men's track and field, Nicole Widegren of women's cross country, Ahliya Phillips of women's basketball, and Ramiro Mendez de Oliveira of men's rugby.

Two student-athletes were named Student Employee of the Year, with Cole Rodriguez of men's soccer and 2025 softball alum Taylor Murphy winning that honor, while the pair that won the Henrietta Littlefield Award, "awarded to the female senior(s) who best exemplify the leadership qualities and commitment to co-curricular student life of Henrietta Littlefield, professor and first Director of Student Activities at American International College" were field hockey and acrobatics & tumbling senior Kylee Rinker and track and field senior Rebecca Toure.

The Chester S. McGown Award, "awarded to senior(s) who demonstrate consistency in leadership as provided by Chester S. McGown through his 35-year presidency that spanned a period of enormous changes involving two World Wars and the intervening Great Depression," was the final student award of the night, and softball captain Jilien Ayala was the winner for her work on the softball team as well as in athletic communications, her leadership with the AIC Intervarsity, and tremendous academic success.

AIC's staff member who was honored with the Higher Dedication Award, "presented to the American International College staff member who on a daily basis impacts, uplifts, and inspires students in the simplest yet most sincere and meaningful ways," was Alyssa Jones. The assistant athletic director for sports medicine and performance is a beloved member of the athletics community, and her consistent efforts for all the student-athletes was lauded with the award.