MMC Announces Class of 2026 Valedictorians

MMC students selected as valedictorians hold the highest GPA through the January semester of their commencement year. Gabriel Abraham ’26, Marcella Antiko ’26, Sara Hansen ’26, Mary McElroy ’26, Eric Rodrigues ’26, and Elise Smith ’26 each attained the distinction with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Though their paths to valedictorian differ, all six have demonstrated resilience, intellectual curiosity, and determination along the way. Three of the Class of 2026 valedictorians are transfer students, and two are international students with roots in Indonesia and Brazil. All say they were profoundly shaped by their time at MMC. Learn more about them and their journeys below!

Gabriel Abraham
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Major: Theatre Arts with a concentration in Theatre History and Performance Texts

In 2022, while taking a gap semester at his Philadelphia college, Abraham worked as an assistant stage manager for a Brooklyn theater’s production of If/Then. The musical follows a character’s two possible life paths, exploring choice and chance. Offstage, Abraham would face a turning point of his own, thanks to the show’s director, MMC Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Emily Clark. “We ended up talking, and she told me about MMC’s Theatre program, particularly its Theatre History concentration,” he recalls. He liked what he heard and was excited about its proximity to home, sealing his decision to transfer there.

Expanding his horizons: “My goal for college was always to make the most of the opportunity, to learn all sorts of subjects, and come out of it having grown,” Abraham said. At MMC, he took courses in unfamiliar subjects and discovered an interest in science and math. He especially loved Professor Sue Behrens’s Introduction to Communication Disorders, which so intrigued him that he took four more speech courses. “Professor Behrens is brilliant, funny, and has provided me with care and support over the years,” he said. “I am grateful for her kindness and how she has helped me grow as a student and a person.”

He’s seen that growth manifest. “I’ve grown socially. I’ve been less apprehensive about speaking up in class and initiating friendships,” he said. In his first experience as dramaturg on MMC’s production of Marie Antoinette, he pushed past self-doubt and grew more confident in the process. “I am surrounded by people who see my potential and express a lot of faith in me, which I really appreciate.” Reflecting on the show, he added, “I consider myself very lucky to have had such a supportive team, and I’m very proud of what we accomplished together.” After commencement, he plans to continue working in theatre and is also considering grad school.

A winning strategy: For Abraham, being named co-valedictorian affirmed that his hard work and positive outlook were well placed. “It feels like proof that I can handle much more than I ever thought I could—and that focusing on what inspires you can bring out something new in yourself,” he said.

Marcella Antiko
Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia
Major: Theatre and New Media with a minor in Music Industry

Teenage Marcella might be surprised by how far 22-year-old Marcella has come. After moving to the U.S. alone from Indonesia, she spent her first few years of college in Los Angeles learning about the fashion scene by volunteering backstage at LA Fashion Week and about the film industry by volunteering as a production assistant on an independent film. Hoping for more opportunities in fashion and entertainment, she set her sights on New York City and discovered MMC, where she planned to audition for Musical Theatre.

“I missed the deadline, so my advisor suggested I audition the following semester and choose a different concentration in the meantime,” she said. She chose Theatre and New Media and, after one semester, was hooked. “It became clear the major encompassed many of the creative areas that interested me.”

Building momentum: Though Antiko had struggled in high school, she thrived at MMC, where she pushed herself and appreciated the freedom her professors gave her to experiment. She also scored wins outside the classroom, building her modeling portfolio. She walked for more than 10 designers at New York Fashion Week and appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Fashion Week Online. Today, she’s an intern at the fashion, music, and lifestyle publication FML Magazine and hopes to land a full-time role there after graduating, while auditioning for commercials and releasing her own music.

Growing through challenge: Looking back, Antiko is proud of how much she’s matured. “I’ve grown and learned a lot about being an adult since moving to this country,” she said. “I learned to be my own person and the value of protecting my peace. Academically, I learned to prioritize and work smarter, not harder. This has been the most intense period of my life, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Sara Hansen
Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut
Major: Acting and Lighting Design

As a high school senior, Hansen thought she wanted to attend a big college, but that changed after a few campus tours. “I kept visiting these big schools and thinking to myself, ‘I hate this!’” Given her passion for acting, a few teachers who were also MMC alums suggested she visit 71^st Street. Hansen did, and fell in love with the College, its small community, and its Theatre program.

“At Marymount, we get to have a really special relationship with our professors,” she said. “When I see them in the hall, they’ll stop and have a whole conversation with me, and it’s just so special.”

Finding her stride: Though Hansen enrolled as an Acting student, it wasn’t until later that she added Lighting as a dual major. “I didn’t know anything about Lighting, had never touched a light, didn’t care, didn’t know to care,” she said. “But then I was required to take a Stagecraft class, chose lighting, and fell in love with it. The intentionality of the choices made and the control you have, are fascinating to me.”

Last semester, Hansen assisted lighting designer Angelo Sagnelli ’21 on MMC’s production of The Comedy of Errors. Afterward, he brought her on as an assistant in lighting the off-Broadway show What if They Ate the Baby, starring Natasha Roland ’20.

Raising the bar: Though it was tough learning Vectorworks, a drafting software used for theatre lighting, Hansen mastered it and became a TA for Professor Rob Dutiel, helping underclassmen during his Vectorworks lessons—a position she pitched. “Since I didn’t start off in tech, I was always the person learning from others, so it was nice to TA a class and share what I know with younger students,” she said.

After graduating, she’s hoping to go into lighting design full-time. “As much as I’ve enjoyed my Acting classes, I’ve found that lighting brings me so much fulfillment.”

On the power of hard work: “I’ve become a more confident person and not only am I ready to rise to a challenge, but I’m excited for a challenge. If you put in the work and care about what you’re doing, you will be happy with your results.”

Mary McElroy
Hometown: Mahopac, New York
Major: BFA Stage and Production Management

MMC was McElroy’s top college choice: She was drawn to its specialized Stage Management degree, New York City location, and, most of all, its small size. “That was important to me because I learn better when I have more access to professors,” she said. In addition, her cousin was an alum and had loved the experience, “so I knew I would enjoy my time here as well,” she said.

Still, adjusting to college life and starting out in her major were rocky at first, and in her first year, she considered switching tracks. Things changed with the help of her instructors, particularly Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Lori Ann Zepp, whom McElroy had every semester. “Lori is so knowledgeable in the field of Stage and Production Management, which makes her the most incredible resource for someone like me who wasn’t sure if they were ready to jump into the field.”

Finding her footing: Hands-on production work also reaffirmed she was in the right concentration. McElroy worked on two Bordeau Box Theatre projects, a studio project, and three main stages. “Each was a new learning experience with new challenges and new people,” she said. “I’ll never forget any of them, especially Lysistrata Jones and The Comedy of Errors, where I production stage-managed and really developed my skills.”

McElroy graduated in December and has already begun working, recently returning to MMC as deck stage manager for The House of Bernarda Alba. She hopes to continue stage managing around the city while also exploring opportunities in film and television.

A broader education: Looking back, McElroy says MMC changed not only her career path, but her relationship to learning itself. “I didn’t apply myself academically as a kid and really disliked school, but I came to understand the value of education and how privileged I am to have had this opportunity,” she said. “I took classes that challenged me and expanded how I think about the world. I’m all the better for it.”

Eric Rodrigues
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Major: Psychology

Rodrigues already has his post-commencement plans set. In June, he’ll move to Sweden to pursue his master’s in Psychology at Lund University. “My highest professional aspiration is to work as a neuropsychologist and university professor simultaneously,” he said.

He found strong grounding for those ambitions at MMC, where he’s worked closely with Psychology faculty, such as Professor Nava Silton. She mentored him as he wrote his senior thesis on the benefits of play therapy for autistic children and included it as a chapter in her textbook Benefits of Play and Play Therapy for Children of Diverse Backgrounds, published this semester. “Writing my senior thesis under Dr. Nava Silton’s mentorship will forever mark one of the most academically fulfilling experiences of my life,” he said.

Finding a home at MMC: Rodrigues was attracted to MMC’s inclusive environment and intimate community. “I became enamored with MMC’s inherent queerness and its small class sizes,” he said. “A strong connection between professors and students is the most important part of academia.”

That played out through intellectually stimulating discussions with Visiting Instructor of Psychology Leila Gastil, whose Cognitive Psychology and Psychology of Learning classes were some of his favorite courses; a two-summer neuropsychology research project with Assistant Professor of Biology Richard Finizio that opened his mind to research as a fulfilling career path; challenging courses in Forensic Psychology and Counseling with Professor Cheryl Paradis; and classes with Professor Manolo Estavillo that deepened his commitment to understanding social oppression.

On growth and gratitude: “I wish I could squeeze in every way that MMC professors have made me a better person, but I can’t,” he said. “It takes amazing professors to make a great student, and if being valedictorian signals any academic merit, then all professors who taught us along the way deserve a special shoutout just as much as we do.”

Elise Smith
Hometown: Freeport, New York
Major: BFA Film and Media Production with a minor in Psychology

Being top of her class is nothing new for Smith, who was also valedictorian of her Long Island high school. Still, her time at MMC has helped her to grow in new ways. Smith transferred to the College in her sophomore year at the urging of a friend, specifically for its filmmaking program. She had begun cultivating a love for film in childhood, when she and her sisters—who were only allowed to watch TV on weekends—would rise early to watch movies while their parents slept.

“Once here, I learned and grew so much, both intellectually and personally, and met people I believe will be lifelong friends,” she said. Professors in Communication and Media Arts also pushed her to pursue professional opportunities, including her dream internship. This academic year, Smith has worked at NBCUniversal as a research and general production intern for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

“This opportunity has been incredibly challenging and fulfilling,” she said. “It taught me so much about working in the industry and the work ethic needed to move forward. Balancing three days a week at the show with classes, my capstone, and part-time work taught me invaluable lessons about time management and priorities.”

After graduation, Smith plans to work part-time while looking for permanent positions in the film and entertainment industry.

It takes a village: “I’m stoked that everything I’ve put into my time at MMC has come to fruition,” Smith said. And she’s grateful, too, for her Communication and Media Arts professors, who she says made all the difference. “I can do nothing but commend Professors Cyrille Phipps, Erin Greenwell, Sarah Wright, Matt Straub, and Noelle Griffis, among many others, for the care they afford their students and their craft,” she said. “They go above and beyond, and I would not be the filmmaker I am without them.”

Published: April 30, 2026