Caroline Claffey, Campus Carrier Deputy News Editor

Students, faculty, staff and student organizations receive 110 awards Monday night at the 11th annual Student Leadership and Service Awards ceremony.

The Student Leadership and Service Awards are presented to students, faculty and staff who have selflessly and enthusiastically served and led the Berry community this year, according to the event program.

The proceedings began with a movie trailer for “The Avengers,” kicking off this year’s superhero theme. Before each award was given, a trailer was shown of a superhero movie that the hosts felt portrayed each group or individual receiving the award.

The ceremony was hosted by freshmen and leadership fellows Olivia Paige, representing Berry College Volunteer Services, and Mackenzie Ross, representing the Student Activities Office.

After the trailer, Paige and Ross introduced the event and addressed the attendees about the parallel between student leaders and superheroes.

“While your efforts may not have been aimed at saving the world, you did change our world,” Paige said. “You changed organizations. You changed programs. You changed the community, and above all else, you have changed the lives of others and inspired them to rise and lead in your path.”

The first group awarded was the First Year Council. Before handing out awards to 30 students, Ross and Paige played the trailer for “X-Men: First Class.”

Ross said “X-Men: First Class” was an appropriate choice for the First Year Council because they both are groups of new students who begin their leadership journeys together.

The next group given an award was the Peer Educators, and their movie trailer was “Green Lantern.”

Paige said the Peer Educators are similar to the Green Lantern because both illuminate controversial and difficult questions in their communities.

“Just as the Green Lantern said, ‘No matter how bad things may get, there’s always something good over the horizon,’” Paige said. “This is what the peer educators strive to do: educate on the hardships of the world but focus on the good that can come from doing so.”

Head SOAR leader and Senior Jamie Carelson and the 16 SOAR leaders were all awarded and introduced by the trailer for “Man of Steel.”

Ross recognized Carelson separately before introducing the rest of staff.

“Although she can’t literally fly, she has lifted up many different people on her wings and managed to keep her cool even when the stress levels were high,” Ross said.

The five executive Student Government Association (SGA) officers were introduced with a trailer for “Thor,” because according to Ross, “It requires great strength and leadership to represent an entire student body.”

Paige said the 20 Resident Assistants were like “The Amazing Spiderman” because they live among the people they protect.

“They look after, protect and care for their residents as well as maintain a safe and functional environment,” Paige said. “In addition, they take on the duty of advising, encouraging and assisting their residents.”

Ross compared the Krannert Center Activities Board members were to “The Incredible Hulk” because of their ability to “turn small ideas into huge events.”

The next seven awards were given to individuals who were nominated for their outstanding actions on campus. These awards were for: Multicultural Student Leadership, Religion-in-Life Service and Leadership, Lambda Sigma Rising Leader, Katie Brookshire Leadership Scholarship, Omicron Delta Kappa’s (ODK) “Aspire to the Top” Senior Leadership and ODK’s Circle Leader of the Year.

Paige said the recipients of these awards were most like Iron Man because unlike most superheroes—who have secret identities—Iron Man is known as a superhero wherever he goes.

“Even at the end of the day when the superhero costume comes off, these individuals are still recognized as superheroes among friends, family and mentors due to their powerful and inspiring commitment to the Berry community and their individual passions,” Paige said.

The Service Awards—which included the awards for Heart of Berry, Best Service Event Collaboration, Best Service Project, Do Something and Make a Change—were prefaced with the trailer for “Captain America,” because both groups showed outstanding commitment, Paige said.

The final award category was the Student Organization and Programming Awards, which included: Best Social Program, Best Cultural/Educational Program, Best Co-Sponsored Program, Most Improved Organization, the Carol Willis Outstanding Advisor, the Outstanding Organization Team, Outstanding Organization Officer and Outstanding Organization.

These awards were introduced with a trailer for “The Dark Knight,” because the recipients “certainly know how to make their presence on campus known,” Paige said.

“They demonstrate leadership within their individual areas but are humble in their efforts just as Batman is,” Paige said. “Tonight is our time to recognize everything they have done for our campus and for the student body as a whole.”

Director of Student Activities Cecily Crow told attendees Paige’s and Ross’ choice in this year’s theme made her consider the similarities between superheroes and student leaders.

“Like a superhero, you have to practice your skills, like time management and delegation,” Crow said. “You also need to know your support system. Like a superhero, you have to take the good with the bad. Like a superhero, you have to take action. Like a superhero, you all have your villains.”

Crow said while leaders don’t always make the popular decisions, they make the important ones. She told audience members that, like a superhero, they could choose to use their powers for the good of others.

“Just be super,” Crow said.