The James A. D'Angelo Outstanding Child Advocate Award is presented annually to graduating USD Law students for their exceptional participation in CAI's Child Advocacy Clinic and/or for making other significant contributions to the field of child advocacy. The outstanding work of each of these students helped to improve the health and well-being of countless children and youth.
The award is a tribute to Jim D'Angelo (BA '79, JD '83), who passed away in 1996. An attorney, husband, father, son, brother and friend who was loved by all who knew him, Jim's legacy supports future attorneys who cherish children as much as he did.
Funding for the award is made possible by generous donations from several of Jim's classmates from the USD School of Law (special thanks to Hal Rosner (JD '83) and John Myer (JD '83)), as well as generous donations from Jim's family and friends. The following is a list of past recipients of this award.
2025
- Hailey Chrysler
- Ariana Hussing
- Byanca Hutchens
- Sophie Parker
- Julie Roland
2024
- Alyssa Daskas
- Amanda Hawkins
- Grady Jensen
- Eden Levinson
- Emily Powers
- Alexa Smith
2023
- Stella Gerson
- Mackenzie McCoy
- Jadwyn Parrish
2022
2022 Award Recipients with Prof. Jessica Heldman (left to right):
- Adrielli Ferrer
- Ashley Thompson
- Jordan Kellogg
- Brooke Engel
- Allison Plette
2021
- Jennifer Aardema
- Katie Abajian
- Kezia Adler
- Alyson Hayden
2020
- Reina Cruz
- Molly Humphries
- John LaCrosse
- Helen Lockett
- Helene Mayer
- Heather Morse
- Melanie Ryan
- Francesca Sparaco
- Carson Williams
2019
- Gina Schoelen
- Nancy Tran
- Ashlee Walcott
- Bryan Yerger
2018
- Ashley Choy
- Curtis Davis
- Crystal Gamache
- Amanda Gilleland
- Maureen Gregory
- Nareene Karakashian
- Hanna Tavill
2017
- Patrice Darlin
- Alexa Katz
- Lauren Harris
- Rachel Pence
2016
- Hala Alskaf
- Gregory Catangay
- Ashley Kaye
2015
- Kelsey Hathaway
- Jessica Kiley
- Maryam Rastegar
- Natalie Rodriguez
- Alyssa Ruiz de Esparza
- Jessica Underwood
- Rick Waltman
2014
- Amanda Edmonson
- Jazmine Gregory
- Ann Kinsey
- Yangkyoung Lee
- Holly McCord
- Michelle Pena
2013
- Johnathan Abrams
- Lisa Charukul
- Matthew Felder
- Georgia Gebhardt
- Patrick Guerrero
- John Jaquish
- Adam Juel
- Jerrica Phillips
- Silvia Romero
- Julieclaire Sheppard
2012
- Alexandra Byler
- Justine Elgas
- Lydia Strunk
- Megan Swezea
- Sarah Shelvy Vaona
- Kim Washington
2011
- Betsy Couch
- Breeanna Fujio
- Melody Gillis
- Anna Howard
- Brenden Shaw
2010
- Noah Aleshire
- Phil Ciccarelli
- Julia Davis
- Mary Elizabeth Grant
- Grace Pineda
- Elizabeth Rodriguez
2009
- Kevin Cleveland
- Victoria Furman
- Shelly Kamei
- Becky Wu
- Lauren Yip
2008
- Jason Carr
- Kristy Gill
- Mishaela Graves
- Emily Reinig
2007
- Jenna Leyton
- Erin Palacios
- Eddie Tsang
- Kirsten Widner
2006
- Melanie Delgado
- Kriste Draper
- Jessica Paulson
- Summer Stech
2005
- Liam Duffy
- Nichole Lobley
- Ameca Park
- Karen Prosek
2004
- Jessica Heldman
- Daniel Lavoie
- Summer Peterson
- Meredeth Ruston
2003
- Heather Boxeth
- Janis Burnett
2002
- Maria-Belleza Parlade
- Ji Kwon
2001
- Steven Andreacola
- Caroline Clark
- Eva Turella
2000
- Jane Babin
- Katherine Layton
- Joseph Raskin
- Charlotte Wilder
1999
- Lucy Lin
- Thomas Kritzik
- John Simon
1998
- Nancy Murphy
1997
- Collette Galvez
1996*
- Evan Kitahara
- Tara Lee
1995*
- Anne-Marie Alexander
- Mary Hampton
- Catherine Riley
1994*
- Nieva van Leer
* From 1994 until 1996, the award was called the "Outstanding Child Advocate."