Royals Freshman Athlete of the Year

Female Freshman of the Year:����(���Ǵڳٲ�������)

Judd had an outstanding season for the Royals softball team and was one of just four players to start all 34 games. She hit .304, third-best on the team, while totaling 35 hits, second-most on the roster. In 115 at-bats, she struck out only nine times. Defensively, Judd posted a .985 fielding percentage with just two errors in 132 chances while playing first base, catcher, and the outfield.

“Aliza Judd … great attitude, and she brings it every day,” said head softball coach JD McCurdy. “She was our leadoff hitter and an immediate impact player. If you ever come to see her play, you’ll never know whether she’s 0-for-5 or 5-for-5; she’s ice cold. She checks all the boxes as a great player and a great leader.”��

Male Freshman of the Year:����(men’s track and field)

Rucker burst onto the scene for EMU, placing ninth in the shot put and 12th in the weight throw at his first collegiate meet, the Liberty Kickoff, which featured many Division I and II programs. The following weekend, he won the shot put and finished second in the weight throw, beginning a dominant indoor season in which he consistently won events while climbing the EMU track and field record books. He set the program record in the indoor weight throw, ranks second in the indoor shot put, set the outdoor discus record, and ranks second in the outdoor hammer throw.

At the indoor ODAC Championships, Rucker earned Second Team All-ODAC honors in the shot put, and at season’s end he was named USTFCCCA All-South Region in both the shot put and weight throw. He followed with a stellar outdoor season, winning ODAC titles in the hammer throw and discus while finishing second in the shot put. He currently ranks 29th in Division III in the hammer throw and 50th in the shot put.

“I think one of the most impressive things about Koran is that, for the last couple of months, the throwers have had to pretty much coach themselves,” said Director of Cross Country, Track & Field and Triathlon Bob Hepler. “He’s shown a lot of character through his work ethic, and we are very blessed to have him.

Royals Athlete of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year:�� ’26��(women’s soccer)

Beachy was named Female Athlete of the Year following arguably her best season as a Royal. She scored 10 goals in her senior campaign, including a two-goal performance in a 4–1 home win over Hollins on Senior Day. Beachy finished the season ranked seventh in the ODAC in goals, third in game-winning goals (5), and 11th in points (20), earning Third Team All-ODAC honors—the first All-ODAC selection for EMU women’s soccer since 2017.

Her on-field production and leadership helped guide EMU �´dz����’s Soccer to one of its strongest seasons in recent years. The Royals finished 6–11–1 in 2025, recording their highest win total since 2019 and qualifying for the ODAC �´dz����’s Soccer Tournament for the first time since that same year.

“It’s an honor to recognize Leah,” said Royals head coach Leo Alcoreza. “Her impact on our program goes far beyond stats. Come game day, Leah consistently delivered in the biggest moments, stepping up time and time again when we needed her most. As a team captain, she led by example every day. She’s not just an incredible athlete, she’s an even better teammate, person, and leader, and EMU is better because of her.”

Male Athlete of the Year:�� ’26��(���������������)

A four-year starter for the Royals, Miller played in and started 38 games this season and delivered one of the best individual campaigns in EMU baseball history. He led the team with a .427 batting average, which ranked third in the ODAC for the 2026 season. Miller also paced the Royals and ranked second in the ODAC with 61 hits, the sixth-most in a single season in program history. On the bases, he stole 25 bags, leading the ODAC and tying the EMU single-season record.

He helped guide EMU to 14 regular-season wins, the program’s highest total since the 2019 season.

“Aidan should be getting his second All-Conference award later this month, and he’ll finish in the top 10 in multiple categories in our record book, but that stuff is really irrelevant to what he’s meant to our program,” said Royals head coach Adam Posey. “If you guys listen, his nickname right now is ‘Skip,’ as in skipper of the team. He’s very passionate about what he does and very loyal, and we’ll miss all of those things next year.”

President’s Award

Female President’s Award:�� ’26��(women’s soccer)

Beachy is from Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a nursing graduate who achieved a 4.00 GPA during her time at EMU. She plans to work as a nurse on a medical-surgical floor and join an adult soccer league.

A four-year member of the women’s soccer team, Beachy was named Third Team All-ODAC in 2025. During her career at EMU, she played 5,391 minutes across 72 games. She led or co-led the team in scoring for three seasons, totaling 21 goals and eight assists. Beachy is the co-record holder for most single-game assists and points and ranks fifth all-time in career points (50) and sixth in career goals (21).

She was a four-year member of the Dean’s List and the All-ODAC Academic Team, a two-time VaSID Academic All-State selection, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. She was also a member of the Honors Program. Off the field, Beachy served as a Royal Ambassador, tour guide, peer tutor, and member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing and the Nursing Student Association. She also served as a student-faculty representative for the nursing program and as an Honors Program facilitator.

“EMU Athletics gave me the rare opportunity to play soccer while receiving a phenomenal nursing education, providing an outlet to exist purely as a competitor amid the demands of college,” Beachy said. “The joys and challenges of athletics expanded my capacity to serve and lead not only as a teammate, but also as a nurse, friend, and community member. I leave EMU Athletics with precious relationships, lasting memories, and a deeper love for the game. It has been a true privilege.”��

Male President’s Award:�� ’26 (baseball)

Hall is from Chesapeake, Virginia, and is a health and physical education graduate with minors in kinesiology, exercise science, and coaching. He achieved a 3.74 GPA during his time at EMU and plans to pursue a career in physical education.

A four-year member of the baseball program, Hall played in 103 games for the Royals. He holds a career batting average of .278 with 87 hits, 17 doubles, and 46 RBI. In 2024, he was hit by a pitch 25 times, and he has been hit 47 times in his career, both EMU baseball records.

Academically, he was named to the Dean’s List five times, the All-ODAC Academic Team four times, and is a CSC Academic All-District honoree. Off the field, he was a member of Every Nation Campus.

“EMU Athletics is more than a season, more than a game, more than a practice, more than a result, and more than a feeling,” Hall said. “It is an outlet, it is a community, it is cherished moments and friendships that will last a lifetime. I felt at one point that I was defined by results. Coach Posey has helped me find my identity—not in results, not in statistics, but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. EMU Athletics has been a place where myself and others can grow in our faith and develop our foundation on a Kingdom that is everlasting.”

Stay up to date with EMU Athletics through its�������Ի� ��accounts or visit its��.

“The student recognition convocation time is when we gather to celebrate,” said Jon Swartz, associate dean of students at EMU, opening the event.

Academics

Academic Success Center (ASC) – presented by Cathy Smeltzer Erb

Anna Filipkowski was selected as Peer Tutor of Distinction for her excellence in tutoring. “For two years, Anna has guided students through the mechanics of accounting and business with patience, humor, and candor,” Erb said. “You made the ASC a better place.”

Teacher Education – presented by Holly Rusher

Sarah Bascom: Virginia Scholars Award, which is awarded by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society to an “outstanding graduate with an excellent educator future.”

Maria Bettilyon, Shania Coleman, Alex Gulisano, Lyndsay Harris, Erin Keith and Lucy Unzicker: Teachers of Promise Award, given to promising and gifted preservice teachers who represent excellence in the classroom, exhibit a strong commitment to the profession and exemplify the characteristics of a reflective, caring practitioner.

Judith Hoffman, Kassidy Secrist, Madelyn Wood and Dawson Woodruff: Courage to Teach Award, given to students who demonstrate dedication and effectiveness in teaching, model value-based and highly principled behaviors, model reflection in thought and practice, demonstrate a genuine sense of caring for the students and model a passion for caring.

Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sustainability – presented by Laurie Yoder and Jim Yoder

The following students were recognized for academic excellence in their core courses:
Renae Benner: Outstanding First-Year Chemistry Student; and
Maria Longenecker: Outstanding Second-Year Biology Student.

The following students were recognized for exceptional academic and scholarly accomplishments:
Laura Craft: Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student;
Abby Kaufman and Megan Miller: Outstanding Senior Biology Student; and
Anika Hurst: Outstanding Senior in Environmental Science.

Laura Craft: Biology/Chemistry/ENVS Award for Exceptional Service, awarded for exceptional servant leadership in the sciences.

Abigail Forrest, Elaine Miranda Perez, Sadie Oesch and Marciella Shallomita: Award for Excellence in Research, awarded for exceptional performance in undergraduate research in the sciences.

Business and Leadership – presented by Jim Leaman, Joohyun Lee, Johanna Burkholder and Lindy Backues

The following students were recognized for outstanding academic performance in their majors:
Ben Alderfer: Outstanding Business Analytics Student Award;
Rileyanne Collins: Outstanding Rec and Sport Management Student Award;
Mesa Dula: Outstanding Accounting Student Award;
Lizzy Kirkton: Outstanding Business Administration Student Award; and
Nathan Oostland: Outstanding Marketing Student Award.

Jansen Miller received the Outstanding Achievement Award for academic achievement in the Business and Leadership program. Anna Filipkowski received the Exceptional Service Award and Lizzy Kirkton received the Exceptional Leadership Award for their service and leadership in the program.

History – presented by Mary Sprunger

Aidan Yoder received the 2023-24 Outstanding Senior History Award. He was recognized for his research paper in Humanities Seminar, “Protest Now! EMU War Resistance and Response After Vietnam.”

“The personal became academic, and the academic became political, as Aidan worked on this paper alongside his leadership in recent protests, including the bell-ringing that successfully led EMU to call for a cease-fire in Gaza,” said Sprunger, presenting Yoder with “Martyrs Mirror,” a record of dissenters who challenged government-mandated religious conformity.

Language and Literature – presented by Kevin Seidel, Chad Gusler and M. Esther Showalter

Lydia Longacre: The Carroll Yoder Award for Teaching Excellence. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in literary studies and education courses and has shown a clear call to the teaching profession.
Hannah Landis: Omar Eby Writing Award, awarded to a student who demonstrates excellence in the craft of creative writing and provides insightful critique and support for other writers in creative workshops.
Maria Menjivar: Ervie L. Glick Award for Excellence in World Language Study, for exhibiting academic excellence as a Spanish major and showing a clear sense of call to pursue graduate work or use their language degree in service to the church.
Lucy Unzicker received the Ray Elvin Horst Award for Excellence in Spanish (for academic excellence in Spanish courses) and the James R. Bomberger Award for Excellence in TESOL (for outstanding performance in TESOL classes and practicums).

Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science – presented by Daniel Showalter and Daniel King

The following students were recognized for demonstrating academic excellence, service and contributions to the community and culture at EMU:
Noel Abeje and Hebron Mekuria: Outstanding Seniors in Computer Science Award;
Lane Burkholder: Outstanding Senior in Mathematics Award;
Joel Kornhaus: Outstanding Senior in Engineering Award; and
Jacob Hess: Special Recognition in Engineering Award.

Iris Anderson, Laura Benner and Renae Benner received the Turing level of achievement award for their second-place finish in the Kryptos Codebreaking Competition.

Music – presented by Benjamin Bergey and David Berry

Maggie Garber McClary: Pioneer Award for being the first-ever graduate of the Music and Peacebuilding major at EMU. Read more about her and the innovative program here.

Luke Haynes: Distinguished Performer, awarded for musical excellence as a performing artist. “Those of us who spent time here in Lehman Auditorium know that the room we have downstairs with an organ and piano in it that used to be called a practice room is a room we’ve referred to the last four years as Luke’s office,” Music Program Director David Berry joked as he presented Haynes with the award.

Judith Hoffman: Ensemble Leadership Award for providing dedicated musical leadership as concertmaster of the EMU Orchestra.

Social Sciences and Professions – presented by Jenni Holsinger, Dr. Gaurav Pathania and Dr. Carol Grace Hurst

Iris Anderson, Gracie Conner, Jesse Kanagy, Lauryn Moore and Lucas Sorensen were recognized as this year’s initiates in the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, earned for their record of high academic achievement and contribution of social research for the purpose of service. They will wear light blue honor cords at Commencement on Sunday.

Brianna “Bri” Allen: NASW-VA BSW Student of the Year Award, which is given to a BSW student who demonstrates exemplary academic performance and leadership. Read more about her award here.

Campus Life

Awards presented by Brian Martin Burkholder, Mike Ramer and Tyler Goss

Office of Faith and Spiritual Life

Seniors Laurel Evans, Kate Landis and Julie Weaver were recognized for nurturing faith and spiritual life on campus through their work as student chaplains. They will wear light blue honors cords at Commencement.

Campus Activities Council (CAC)

Andrea Acevedo was awarded with the CAC Campus Hospitality Award, which is given to students who create spaces of belonging and connection for the student body.

“Andrea listens to her peers and works hard at creating and hosting events for them with CAC,” Mike Ramer said. “…Her CAC coworkers say that she is dependently calm when challenges arise and is so fun to be around.”

Common Grounds

Laura Benner, Valentina Barahona, Margarita Hernandez-Perez and Laura Craft received the Common Grounds Excellence in Leadership Award.

“This team is steeped in determination and a lot of love for their craft, and they’ve percolated a culture of excellence,” said Tyler Goss, midway through a string of coffee-related puns.

Engage Awards

Emu bird trophies given to students who earned the most Engage Points this semester.
First place: Samuel Myers (40 points)
Second place: Marciella Shallomita (37 points)
Third place: Malia Bauman (33 points)

Student Government Association (SGA)

Iris Anderson, Hannah Landes Beck, Ariel Morales Bonilla, Anne Cornelius, Betty Debebe, Genesis Figueroa, Evan Kauffman and Maria Longenecker received the SGA Outstanding Leadership Award.

Current SGA co-presidents Hannah Landes Beck and Iris Anderson ceremoniously handed off the gavel — after it slowly lowered from the ceiling of Lehman Auditorium — to incoming co-presidents Arelys Martinez Fabian and Genesis Figueroa.

Athletics (includes winter and spring seasons)

Athletic Department Awards – presented by Justin McIlwee

Freshman of the Year –��Angel David:���´dz����’s��Track & Field and��Jowell Gonzalez Santiago:��Men’s Track & Field
Athlete of the Year –��Ray Ray Taylor:���´dz����’s��Track & Field and��Bellamy Immanuel:��Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field
President’s Award –��Megan Miller:���´dz����’s Volleyball and��Ariel Morales Bonilla:��Men’s Soccer

Men’s Basketball

Daijordan Brown – Royals Athlete of the Week
Jazen Walker – Royals Athlete of the Week

�´dz����’s Basketball

Kayla Surles – Royals Athlete of the Week; Third Team All-ODAC
Mya Hamlet Moore – Royals Athlete of the Week
Jeriyah Osborne – Royals Athlete of the Week

Indoor Track & Field

Bellamy Immanuel – Royals Athlete of the Week; set school record in the 5000m
Jowell Gonzalez Santiago – Royals Athlete of the Week; set school record in the 500m; USTFCCCA All-South Region – 400m Dash
Damon Morgan – Royals Athlete of the Week
Angel David – Royals Athlete of the Week
Jenna Weaver – Royals Athlete of the Week
Lucy Unzicker – ODAC Farm Bureau Scholar Athlete of the Year
Men’s 4×400 Relay (Bryson Hunter, Da’Shawn Winters, Joseph Kerr, Gray Urglavitch) – Third-Team All-ODAC

Men’s Volleyball

David Ward – Royals Athlete of the Week; CVC Player of the Week; Royals Tournament All-Tournament Team; eclipsed 500 career kills; Second-Team All-CVC
Ben Childers – Royals Athlete of the Week; eclipsed 150 career blocks
Nate McGhee – Eclipsed 600 career kills; Royals Tournament All-Tournament Team
Tyler Oaks – Royals Tournament All-Tournament Team; eclipsed 1500 career assists
Rey De La Cruz – FrogJump.com DIII Team of the Week

Baseball

Aidan Miller – Royals Athlete of the Week
Jack Dooley – Royals Athlete of the Week
Ethan Spraker – Royals Athlete of the Week; eclipsed 150 career hits
Nick Arnold – Royals Athlete of the Week; eclipsed 100 career hits
Alex Gulisano – Royals Athlete of the Week
Damen Tapscott – Royals Athlete of the Week; ODAC Pitcher of the Week

Softball

Makayla Cyzick – Royals Athlete of the Week; ODAC Pitcher of the Week
Sydney Orndorff – Royals Athlete of the Week
Sam Hensley – Royals Athlete of the Week; eclipsed 100 career hits
Natalye Graham – Eclipsed 200 career strikeouts

Outdoor Track & Field

Ray Ray Taylor – Royals Athlete of the Week; ODAC Field Athlete of the Week
Lucy Unzicker – Royals Athlete of the Week
Bellamy Immanuel – Royals Athlete of the Week

Lacrosse 

Courtney Crawford – Royals Athlete of the Week