FSU honors outstanding student leaders through Torchbearer 100 Program

Students celebrate during the Torchbearer 100 award ceremony.
Students celebrate during the Torchbearer 100 award ceremony.

The Division of Student Affairs at Florida State University recently named the 2023 inductee class for the Torchbearer 100 program, which honors a diverse group of 100 students who have shown exceptional leadership during their collegiate careers. The Torchbearer 100 program, which was reimagined in 2019, is intended to thank and celebrate students’ leadership and legacy.

Honorees were recognized for their notable impact within the FSU community, thanked for their leadership and legacy, and received a special Torchbearer 100 medallion to wear at commencement on April 25 during a celebration at the FSU Student Union.

Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht thanked the honorees for the impact they’ve had at the university.

“The Torchbearer 100 is an opportunity for the university to recognize and thank students who have made a significant impact on campus and in the community,” Hecht said. “FSU’s incredible student life has been created and developed by students since our founding. We want to thank and honor those students who continue to build upon our tradition of leadership and service.”

A selection committee chose the 100 students who best exemplified the university’s core values: transformative daring, inspired excellence, dynamic inclusiveness, responsible stewardship and engaged community.

The Division of Student Affairs at Florida State University recently named the 2023 inductee class for the Torchbearer 100 program, which honors a diverse group of 100 students who have shown exceptional leadership during their collegiate careers.
The Division of Student Affairs at Florida State University recently named the 2023 inductee class for the Torchbearer 100 program, which honors a diverse group of 100 students who have shown exceptional leadership during their collegiate careers.

Honorees are listed by city, name, major(s) and graduation term and year:

Aventura, Florida

Bradley H. Cusnier, Finance, Spring 2023

Boca Raton, Florida

Kendall Brandano, Nursing, Spring 2023

Clearwater, Florida

Brynlie Burley, Media Communication Studies, Spring 2023

Coral Springs, Florida

Mary Thomas, International Affairs and Public Relations, Spring 2023

Deerfield Beach, Florida

Rocio Colado, English Literature and Psychology, Spring 2023

Fort Myers, Florida

Jason Puwalski, Political Science and Public Relations, Spring 2024

Hialeah Gardens, Florida

Karen Iglesias, Psychology, Fall 2023

Homestead, Florida

Bryan Gonzalez, Political Science and International Affairs, Spring 2023

Jacksonville, Florida

Jordan Felton, Human Development and Family Science, Spring 2023
Bianca Hamm, Communication Science and Disorders, Spring 2024
Ansley Bilyeu, International Affairs, Spring 2023

Jupiter, Florida

Grace Cambell-Hutts, Anthropology, Spring 2023

Lake Worth, Florida

Kai Garel, Political Science and Criminology, Spring 2023

Sheila Gomez, International Affairs, Spring 2023

Lakeland, Florida

Samiyah Wilson, Social Work, Spring 2023
Sahari Walker, Political Science and Criminal Justice, Spring 2023

Lauderdale Lakes, Florida

David Wedderburn, Marketing, Spring 2023

Lauderhill, Florida

Karissa Huggins, Political Science and Criminology, Spring 2024

Miami, Florida

Amelia Isaacs, Political Science, Spring 2023
Nicole Alvarado, Social Work, Spring 2024

Niceville, Florida

Kenneth Northerner, Psychology and Philosophy, Spring 2023

Orlando, Florida

Anaya Daniel, Advertising, Spring 2023
Sathvik Bilakanti, Health Management and Information Technology, Spring 2023
Mali Weingarten, Nursing, Spring 2024
Samantha Fast, History and Criticism of Art, Spring 2023
Travis Waters Jr., Political Science, Spring 2023
Denise Lane, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Spring 2023

Panama City, Florida

Makayla Youko Evans, Psychology and Social Work, Fall 2023

Rockledge, Florida

Emma Roberts, Public Relations, Spring 2023

Sarasota, Florida

Omer Turkomer, Political Science and International Affairs, Spring 2023
Sara Vigne, Professional Sales and English, Spring 2024

Spring Hill, Florida

Aidan Webster, Management and International Affairs, Fall 2023
Adriana Nguyen, Public Relations and Political Science, Spring 2023

St. Augustine, Florida

Caroline Stubbs, Communication Science and Disorders, 2024

St. John’s, Florida

Emma Howell, Psychology, Spring 2023

Tallahassee, Florida

Gabriela Estrella, Public Health, Spring 2023

Tampa, Florida

Alexandera Schaffer, Public Relations, Spring 2023
Megan Kimsey, Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2023
Arthi Solayappan, Political Science, Spring 2024

Tequesta, Florida

Madelina Murray, Theatre and Psychology, Spring 2023

Wellington, Florida

Blake Novack, Media and Communication Studies, Spring 2023

West Palm Beach, Florida

Inayat Sood, Biological Science, Summer 2023

Winter Park, Florida

Cassidy Rider, Finance and Professional Sales, Spring 2024

Bogotá, Colombia

Andres Felipe Gil Arana, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Summer 2024

Denver, Colorado

Bridget Gorder, Choral Music Education, Fall 2024

Weston, Connecticut

Matthew Lagana, Clinical Professions, Spring 2023

Washington, DC

Rachelle Yombo, Political Science, Spring 2023

Peachtree Corners, Georgia

Nicolas Finol, Sport Management, Spring 2023

Honolulu, Hawaii

Michelle Evangelista, International Affairs and Information Technology, Summer 2023

Oneonta, New York

Danielle Basdekis, Political Science and Women’s Studies, Spring 2023

Wantagh, New York

Emily Boden, Information, Communication, Technology, Summer 2023

Columbus, Ohio

Carly Mayzum, Psychology, Spring 2023

Clarksville, Tennessee

Nina Chong, Chemical Engineering, Spring 2024

Flower Mound, Texas

Kendall Doty, Sacred Music and Religion, Spring 2023

Knoxville, Tennessee

Alyssa Cuevas, English and Communication, Spring 2023

Southlake, Texas

Diana Shaughnessy, Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2024

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Amisha Mirchandani, Psychology and Spanish, Spring 2023


For more information and 2023 Torchbearer 100 event photos, visit:  studentaffairs.fsu.edu/torchbearer-100.