RECapalooza 2025-2026: Carnival Celebration
Standout Recreation student staff earn acclaim at year-end extravaganza
By Shawn Cyr
Assistant Marketing Director
Ting.
Ting.
Ting.
The unmistakable sound of the sliding metal puck colliding with the bell at the top of the tower pierced the popping of popcorn, the whir of a cotton candy machine, and the soft music playing in the background at LionTree Arena. Participants at the 2025-2026 RECaplooza wielded the black mallet to smash down onto the rubber target, testing their strength and earning adoration — and, critically, tickets — in the "High Striker" carnival-style game.
The test of strength was one of many carnival-style games present at this year's RECapalooza at LIonTree Arena.
Other carnival games lined the bleachers — a pro staff member manning each one — included ring toss, mini golf, and the classic knock-the-cans-of-the-pedestal accuracy challenge, among others. Those tickets were ultimately turned in for tosses at the dunk tank, where students' strong throws sent their favorite pro staff member plummeting into a tub of mostly cool water. (Save for Assistant Director of Events Management Marc Beasley, who notably had buckets of ice ceremoniously dumped into his water.)
But the real highlight was, of course, the students themselves, all of whom were celebrated and heralded for another year of their indispensable work for Recreation. Eight students received special awards, voted on by their peers and pro staff supervisors, including Jackie D'Amato, who took home Employee of the Year.
"Looking back on my four years at UCSD, being a part of the Recreation staff and community has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college journey," Jackie says. "The memories I've made here are ones I'll carry with me forever, and I'm incredibly grateful to have shared them with people who have become lifelong friends."
The eight student-staff REC all-stars who were honored with awards took home a clear acrylic trophy to mark their achievement with REC in 2025-2026. Without further ado, here’s a look at who took home which award and what those who nominated them said makes them so special:
Active Triton Award
Anthony Flowers (REC Experience)
HIS NOMINATION SAYS: “He supports his coworkers the way he knows he can, which is by stepping up when they are sick, need study time, or just time to decompress. He opens, and he closes, sometimes in the same day. And most notably, he does this with a smile.”
Service Excellence Award
Ricardo Hernandez (REC Experience)
HIS NOMINATION SAYS: "Ricardo is my right-hand man and his service allows all the good work done by our colleagues across the department to be delivered to our patrons in the way one would expect from a top-notch institution like UC San Diego."
Emily Kunselman Leadership Award
Nemesis Lopez (Events)
HER NOMINATION SAYS: "She is exactly who I think of when I hear the words 'student leader' – a bright and passionate young mind who will be making a huge difference wherever she goes after she graduates this Spring."
Employee of the Year
Jackie D'Amato (Competitive Sports, Events, Marketing, and REC Classes)
HER NOMINATION SAYS: "What stands out most about Jackie is how much she truly enjoys being part of Recreation. Whether she’s supervising intramural games, teaching a fitness class, helping promote programs, or supporting campus events, she brings a positive attitude and energy that people notice."
Wizard of Oz Award
Elhadji Seck (REC Experience)
HIS NOMINATION SAYS: "Elhadji (or Hadji) has been an indispensable behind-the-scenes wizard of the Recreation Scheduling Team. His work and attitude elevate the efficiency and community spirit of our team."
Game Changer Award
Elaine Chuang (Marketing)
HER NOMINATION SAYS: "Over the two years working for REC Marketing, Elaine has become an indispensable resource, consistently going above and beyond to help create awareness for the amazing work we all do for the UCSD community."
Rookie of the Year Award
Gianna Crouch (Events)
HER NOMINATION SAYS: "She picks up a lot of shifts that others don’t want to take, she does a fantastic job with any task she is assigned, and she has been learning everything that we do here with a great attitude and ability."
People's Choice Award
Nadia Alcaraz (Scheduling)
HER NOMINATION SAYS: “Nadia is so beloved by her fellow clerks and has offered her mentorship and advice to every new employee that she meets. She has built strong relationships with patrons and staff alike while on shift and is known as a friendly face among all areas of aquatics, not just with the staff she works directly with.”
