Of the approximately 3,700 graduates invited to take part in California State University, Northridge’s Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 10, six individuals were singled out for special recognition as outstanding graduating students. Three were featured last week; here are the remaining.
Outstanding Graduating Senior — Kayla Merritt
Merritt graduates from CSUN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and a minor in Jewish studies, earning cum laude distinction and a 3.52 GPA. But her story is far more than grades or accolades — it is one of remarkable resilience, purpose, and service.
Merritt arrived at CSUN as a transfer student after facing extraordinary life challenges. Denied access to schooling in her youth and enduring housing instability, trauma, and systemic neglect, she was forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. Merritt credits a moment of clarity, support systems and her own courage as the turning points that led her to higher education. She is a published scholar, a campus leader, and a vocal advocate for equity and inclusion.
Merritt’s academic achievements include publication in G’Vanim, a peer-reviewed Jewish studies journal, and awards such as the Jewish Studies Department Scholarship, the Owen W. Smith Theatre Scholarship and Dean’s List recognition every semester. Her research includes explorations of Jewish theatre in Nazi Germany, gender variance in Jewish history, and the cultural impact of productions like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The God of Vengeance” — each project a fusion of her passion for storytelling and social justice.
On campus, Merritt held multiple leadership roles in her sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi — including vice president, new member educator and community service chair — where she led service events for children with special needs.
Merritt performed in several campus theatre productions and interned with Beth Chayim Chadashim, the first LGBTQIA+ synagogue in the world, as part of a Jewish studies community engagement project.
Although she battled PTSD and was recovering from injuries sustained in a recent car accident, Merritt remained steadfast in her academics and leadership.
“Despite everything, I’ve turned my life into one of defiance, not tragedy,” Merritt said. “My journey reflects my mission to live authentically, with strength, service, and relentless determination.”
Outstanding Graduating Senior — Leslie De La Cruz
As a first-generation and transfer student, De La Cruz arrived at CSUN with determination and a deep sense of purpose. Today, she graduates with a 3.88 GPA in health administration and induction into Upsilon Phi Delta, the national honor society for healthcare leaders.
De La Cruz’s academic excellence is the product of years of self-discipline and transformation. Once a student who doubted her own abilities, she spent years developing study strategies, building academic confidence, and committing to long hours of independent learning.
At CSUN, her hard work paid off — she earned straight A’s every semester, received consistent Dean’s List recognition and was celebrated by faculty for her analytical insight and group leadership. Her professors described her as one of the best students they have ever taught.
Equally committed to service, De La Cruz has volunteered more than 200 hours at skilled nursing facilities, including Montebello Care Center, where she worked alongside her mother supporting elderly patients and families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued this calling in her internship at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where she led patient satisfaction surveys and took part in rounds on patients, supported cross-departmental care, and analyzed quality data to improve hospital performance.
On campus, De La Cruz worked as a student assistant supporting both the undergraduate and graduate health administration programs. She contributed to data visualization, admissions outreach, and program communications. She also served as a representative for Upsilon Phi Delta’s 2025 cohort, presenting research projects and mentoring peers as part of her department’s community of scholar-leaders.
Behind these achievements lies a deeply personal story. In her first year at CSUN, De La Cruz’s grandfather was deported and she was called on to make weekly trips to Tijuana to help support him while balancing full-time studies and caring for her siblings. From border crossings to her biostatistics assignments, she remained committed to her goal — to become the first in her family to earn a college degree.
“Although having to overcome the guilt of my grandfather and family in Mexico from my privileges here, they push me mentally to continue bettering myself,” De La Cruz said. “Not only has this long journey of overcoming made me realize my potential, but my determination led me to achieve straight-As despite the circumstances as a student who was not able to excel academically in the past.”
Outstanding Graduating Senior — Jesus Gonzalez
Graduating with a near-perfect 3.97 GPA, Gonzalez has distinguished himself through academic excellence, public service and transformational leadership at CSUN. A political science major with a minor in business law, he exemplified the power of perseverance, purpose and profound character.
A first-generation college student and the son of immigrants, Gonzalez first began working in his father’s landscaping business at the age of fourteen. In his first semester at CSUN, his father fell gravely ill with a life-threatening illness, forcing Jesus to step-in and manage the family business while continuing his studies full-time. It was a time of overwhelming responsibility, but he refused to let go of his academic goals or the wellbeing of his family. That same year, he earned the Marino J. Riccomini Family Scholarship — his first public recognition for academic promise.
Gonzalez has since flourished into one of CSUN’s most celebrated students. He has earned consistent Dean’s List recognition, joined the university’s Pre-Law and Political Science Student Associations and conducted research on constitutional law, public opinion and policy. As co-captain of CSUN’s Mock Trial Team, he earned accolades for his courtroom advocacy, leadership and case analysis. He also completed a prestigious judicial internship, observing and reporting on courtroom proceedings in civil, criminal, and family law.
Beyond the classroom, Gonzalez’s contributions to campus life are equally impactful. He served as an orientation leader for New Student Orientation and quadrant leader for commencement. He is also a co-founder of La Familia De CSUN, a student organization that fosters inclusivity, cultural expression and Latinx student success through mentorship, academic workshops, service projects and social networking events.
Gonzalez has demonstrated unwavering commitment to academic rigor, community service and institutional impact. As he prepares to pursue a legal career, he leaves behind a legacy of leadership grounded in humility, excellence and service.