Two awarded Cheverton Trophy for outstanding service, scholastics

Mark Johnston of Portland, Ore., and Jessica Pauletto of Reno, Nev., are this year’s recipients of the Cheverton Trophy, Chapman University’s highest student achievement award presented to graduating seniors.

Mark Johnston

Johnston, a double major in history and political science, graduates with a 3.9 grade point average. He was president of Chapman College Democrats, a head delegate on the Model United Nations team and a Student Ambassador. In 2010 Johnston was among the students chosen to participate in a panel discussion with George Shultz when the former Secretary of State visited campus, and presented a paper and debated arms reduction with scholars from the Nixon Center.

Johnston credits his multiple accomplishments to the variety of opportunities available at Chapman.

“One of the reasons I came here is for the individualized education, and I really tried to do as much of that as possible at Chapman,” Johnston says.

Johnston will work for
Teach for America
for two years and is considering post-graduate work in either public policy or international service.

Jessica Pauletto

Pauletto, a public relations and advertising major with a minor in communication, graduates with a 3.7 grade point average. She won a Dodge College Cecil Award for a PR campaign she created for
Ready, Set, Read!
, a non-profit children’s literacy organization and was a Cecil Award finalist for an entertainment marketing plan and package she created for the student film,
Twincest! The Musical
. Pauletto was also founder of Chapman’s first student-run public relations firm. Pauletto also regularly performed the national anthem at university events.

Pauletto was a freshman starter on the women’s softball team. The softball program was one of the main draws that brought her to Chapman, but Pauletto says she found her niche even after a torn ACL ended her softball career.

“I think that just goes to show just how much Chapman offers you,” she says.

Johnston says she doesn’t have immediate post-graduation plans but is hoping to live in Italy for a while.

“I have family back there. It’s my passion to go there,” she says.