CSM Announces 78th Annual Heart of the Walking Woman Winners
OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary recognized students who exemplify character, service and leadership on campus through its 78th annual Heart of the Walking Woman celebration Feb. 24 in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel.
Rachel Cushing, a senior biology major from Papillion, NE, received the Heart of the Walking Woman Award. President Heather Smith presented the honor.
Cushing, a Marie Curie Scholar, graduated from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She will attend physician assistant school following graduation. Cushing has been the libero on the Flames volleyball team for the past four years, as well as an executive member of Do Unto Others (DUO), Student Athlete Leadership Team, and Elementary Science Outreach Program co-coordinator.
Heart of the Walking Woman finalists are selected from each class. A fourth-year finalist receives the Heart of the Walking Woman honor, while first-year, second-year and third-year finalists are selected as Walking Women in the Making. The winners are chosen by students, faculty and staff through a campus-wide election.
The third-year Walking Woman in the Making was Kaitlin Smith, a biology and psychology major from Fort Calhoun, NE. Smith is a Marie Curie Scholar and a midfielder on the CSM soccer team. She is involved in various campus organizations, including the Student Athlete Leadership Team, Student Senate and Elementary Science Outreach Program co-coordinator. She intends to continue her education after graduation by attending medical school.
Jessica Tienda, a human biology major from Sedalia, MO, was selected as the second-year Walking Woman in the Making. She is a first-generation student minoring in theology. She has been involved in Student Senate, Latinas Empowering Others (LEO), DUO, Green Team, and CSM Singers.
The first-year Walking Woman in the Making was Leslie Le, a nursing major from Bellevue, NE. Le is a wife and mother of four boys. At CSM, she has been involved in Student Senate, Student Nurses Association, DUO, Campus Activities Board, and LEO.
