OLYMPIA, Wash. – Jeramias Sandoval (Jr.) of The Evergreen State College men's wrestling team has been selected by Evergreen President John Carmichael to receive a 2025 Student Civic Leadership Award. Sandoval is from Tacoma, Washington, where he attended Curtis High School. He went to Highline College before transferring to Evergreen for the 2023-24 academic year.

"Being an award winner is a testament to your hard work and compassion, as well as the positive impact you have had on our campus and in your community," President Carmichael said in a congratulatory letter to Sandoval. "I am proud of the vital role you have played in creating a better future for our institution and everyone whose lives you have impacted."

Each member college and university in the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good selects up two students for the Student Civic Leadership Award each year. At the state level, one student is selected from each type of institution to receive the Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, March 28 at Seattle University.

Sandoval participated in several community service activities over the past year. Each contributed to his selection for the Student Civic Leadership Award.

"I had the opportunity to help in the Franklin Pierce School District," Sandoval said. "I started in the library at Ford Middle School, learning about the importance of literature in students' lives. While staying there, I learned how powerful books can be on influencing the minds of young students.

"After being in the library, I was in a third grade classroom. It was enjoyable to say the least," Sandoval recalled. "I encouraged and helped young children accomplish and dominate their academic goals with their math, English Language Arts, and science."

Sandoval's efforts with the Franklin Pierce School District also included volunteering in a middle school. He helped in a special needs classroom.

"It wasn't too difficult because I've been around people with disabilities throughout my life," Sandoval noted. "I got to learn and shadow a skilled one-on-one instructor who explained the different Individualized Education Programs the students had, taught techniques on how to engage with a student when they're acting certain ways, and mentioned trigger words that set off a student's emotions."

One event that Sandoval remembered from his time at the elementary school and the middle school was a science fair.

"I would demonstrate different activities about science and space, and watch as the kids would learn and interact with the activities," Sandoval said.

"Jeramias was very energized by the opportunities to learn and work in the community," said Evergreen education faculty member Sonja Wiedenhaupt. "A teacher at a local elementary school commended him for the stellar support he provided for them as a volunteer."

Sandoval also has participated in community service work at Hummingbird Studio, a free, non-profit, inclusive community arts program for all ages and abilities in Olympia. He served as a studio assistant.

"It involved sitting with the community members, many of whom have certain disabilities, and just making art with them," Sandoval explained. "We engage in conversation and cooperate together to make art. The goal is to give each artist a place to feel belonging or safe."

According to Randi Miller, Community Programs Director, Kokua Services, "Jeramias is a leader and role model for other student interns and volunteers (at Hummingbird Studio) as he demonstrates respect, compassion, and a sense of humor while engaging with artists with a range of physical, intellectual, communication, and social abilities."

In the classroom at Evergreen, Sandoval is interested in history and K-12 education. "I want to become a teacher when I graduate," he said. "I am most likely going to apply for the Master In Teaching degree at Evergreen."

During the 2023-24 academic year, Sandoval's arrival at Evergreen coincided with the first year of men's wrestling for the Geoducks. He went 19-9 on Evergreen's inaugural team. He competed as a junior this year and lost in the consolation second round of the 141-pound weight class at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament.

"Being involved with the wrestling program has kept me in a disciplined mindset to get up and going," Sandoval said. "It has kept me accountable to the promises I made to various organizations (the team and community service groups)."

Sandoval is a leader for the Geoducks on the men's wrestling team. He is a strong competitor and works hard in every match. He's also committed to his academic work.

"What I like the most about competing at Evergreen is that there is a big emphasis on getting your schoolwork done," Sandoval commented. "Not only because it needs to be done to compete, but because the coaching staff knows that this is only a chapter in our lives. The degree and education we learn and earn here will last many chapters ahead of us."