Congratulations to Daniella Herman and Onji Brown!
Each year at Commencement, the College recognizes two students who excel in academics, leadership, service, and school spirit — the Blessed Mary Angela Award and the Spirit Award.
Blessed Mary Angela Student Award: Daniella Herman
Interior Design major Daniella Herman was named the 2025 recipient of the Blessed Mary Angela Student Award, the highest student honor presented by Villa Maria College. Selected by the College’s President, Dr. Matthew Giordano, and his Cabinet, Daniella was recognized for her exceptional academic performance, leadership, and deep commitment to service.
Since her first year at Villa, Daniella has been a stand-out student. Her chair rendering earned “Best of Show” in the Interior Design program’s annual exhibit. From there, her talent continued to flourish. She won the California Closets Design Competition, took first place in the ASID Design Excellence Competition, and received the Distinguished Student Award from New York Eleven Plus. Most recently, she was named the College’s 2025 Outstanding Student in Interior Design.
She’s been on the Dean’s List every semester and was inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national honor society. But her excellence goes beyond the classroom. Daniella earned the College’s Mission and Service Scholarship for her work with Agape International Missions in Cambodia, where she supported children at risk of trafficking. She also serves as a Community Group Leader at her church and volunteers at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo.
Daniella graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and a Certificate in Historic Preservation. She is currently working as an Interior Designer at LaBella Associates.
Spirit Award: Onji Brown
Onji transferred to Villa Maria and immediately made her mark, most notably by helping revive the College’s cheerleading team after its five-year hiatus. She later stepped up as student assistant coach, passing her energy and enthusiasm on to the next generation of Viking cheerleaders.
Onji is also an accomplished student in Digital Media and Communications. She played an active role in Villa’s first Artist in Residence program, working alongside Buffalo’s Poet Laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke and her production company, Get Fokus’d. Together, they launched a full digital campaign for the Tales from the Porch IV art series and produced a music video for A.I. the Anomaly’s song “Privilege.”
Her dedication earned her the Herbert L. Bellamy Sr. Media Scholarship Award from Buffalo Black Achievers, Inc. Onji graduated with a Bachelor of Science and continues to work with Get Fokus’d as a Content Creator and Project Management Intern. This fall, she begins her Master’s in Communication at Liberty University.
These students represent the very best of Villa Maria—talented, driven, passionate, and deeply connected to both their craft and their community. Congratulations, Daniella and Onji!
