Student leadership during a pandemic

In an academic year upended by COVID-19, Mount Holyoke College students still stepped forward to lead and serve their community.

By Christian Feuerstein

In an academic year upended by COVID-19, students still stepped forward to lead and serve the Mount Holyoke community in myriad ways. The annual Student Leadership and Service Awards recognized these students and student groups in a virtual ceremony on May 7, 2021. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to note in this past year and a half, we鈥檝e experienced so much change and so many asks for us to be flexible,鈥 said Marcella Runell Hall, dean of students and vice president for student life. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also been a time where we鈥檝e had to think about our contributions and how we want to show up.鈥

Students, faculty and staff submitted 160 nominations, more than in 2020. The awards announcements took place over the course of the afternoon, beginning with a greeting from Hall. Following that, Ivonne G. Ramirez-DeBlois, associate director of Student Involvement and Leadership, posted the names of the winners on the Instagram account in 15-minute increments. 

The , which is given by the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association, was also presented at this ceremony. 

鈥淚n a year that has been so difficult for all of us as a community, I am privileged that we are able to acknowledge all that our students give to ensure MHC is their MoHome for themselves and their peers,鈥 said Ramirez-DeBlois. 鈥淭his year was especially important to highlight the dedication and passion of our students and student groups. I am proud of our community for nominating a break-recording number.鈥 

The Complete List of Honorees

Included in the following list of names are excerpts from some of the nominations and citations about the award winners. 

Sarah Williston Prize

Given to the students with the highest grades in their class who ranked as Sarah Williston Scholars their sophomore or junior year.

Clara Brandt 鈥22

Hannah Castner 鈥22

Sophie Clingan 鈥22

Moira R. Crawshaw 鈥櫬21

Sophia Hess 鈥22

Saachi Khandpur 鈥22

Hannah Rose Knapp-Broas 鈥21

Yehee Lee 鈥22

Weijing (Vickie) Liu 鈥22

Rebekah Charlotte B眉chau McBane 鈥21

Margaret Hayes Minett 鈥21

Imaan Moin 鈥22

Kaylee Neat 鈥22

Nguyen Pham 鈥22

Montgomery Quinlan 鈥23

Grace Rhodes 鈥22

Hope Rogers 鈥22

Rose Sheehan 鈥22

Rachel Stieber 鈥22

Martha Thompson 鈥22

Daphne Isabel Williams-Hutfilz 鈥21

Olivia Chun-Ping Zhou 鈥21

Sarah Williston Senior Prize Scholarship

to the top senior, based on performance through the junior year, who ranked as a Sarah Williston Scholar in their sophomore or junior year.

Moira R. Crawshaw 鈥櫬21

Anna C. Edwards Prize for Excellence in Debate

to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting debate on campus

Klara Grygo 鈥23

鈥淜lara established a mock trial organization on campus. They have worked tirelessly to spread the word about it and make it a functional organization for next year. They want to ensure that every 果冻传媒 student has the opportunity to participate in this debate-rich activity and be part of its leadership if they so wish.鈥

Emerging Leader Award

Honors students in their first or second year at the College who show leadership promise through their contributions to student life and community building.

Nafeesah Ahmed-Adedoja 鈥23

Chelsea Gyimah 鈥23

Rachel (Sunwoo) Kang 鈥23

Rianna Washington 鈥24

Excellence Award in Residential Life

Kesshni (Kessh) Bhasiin 鈥22

Salina Hussain 鈥21

Iyana Jackson 鈥22

Skyler Colleen Odin 鈥21

Frances Harriet Williams Class of 1919 Award

Established in 1981 by the family of Frances H. Williams, class of 1919, this award is presented to a student who passionately pursues their goal of academic excellence, social justice or service to others.

Estefhani Tavarez 鈥21

鈥淓stefhani has the kind of drive, wisdom, grace and intellect that you would never expect from someone so young. Throughout her time at 果冻传媒, she has worked diligently and passionately to ensure her community was cared for and heard.鈥

Golden Lyon Award

Given in recognition of students who have positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary and a commitment to excellence. 

Sophia Anderson 鈥22

Kelly Lam 鈥22

Carol Veronica Law 鈥21

Helen Warren Smith Class of 1908 Award

Established in 1979 by Helen Warren Smith, class of 1908, this award honors a student whose interest, involvement and service to the Mount Holyoke College community have been outstanding. 

Casey Colaine Roepke 鈥21

鈥淐asey has consistently proved through her service as the class of 2021 senator, an avid SGA committee member, a SAW mentor, a writer and editor for the Mount Holyoke News, an accomplished athlete, and, above all else, a role model. She has been a shining star of a community citizen for years and is the embodiment of the Mount Holyoke spirit.鈥

H. Elizabeth Braun Catalyst for Change Award

Established by the Office of the Dean of Students in 2010 to recognize leaders who have done extraordinary work creating a diverse and inclusive community.  

Emily Elizabeth Carle 鈥21

Percy J. Child 鈥21

Kuzivakwashe Violah Madungwe 鈥21

Jacquline Arden Rich 鈥21

Irma Rabbino Award, in fond memory of Rose and Murray Rabbino

Established in 1978 by Irma L. Rabbino, class of 1953, to honor her father by recognizing a student who has made a significant contribution to the life of Mount Holyoke College. 

Maya Sopory 鈥22

鈥淚n their role as SGA President, Maya Sopory has made astonishing and exemplary contributions to the Mount Holyoke community. They have shown an impressive level of thoughtfulness and self-awareness in their role. Their leadership, communications, and continued willingness to accomplish what needed to be done despite the challenges of the pandemic and remote setting has helped guide our student body through this unprecedented time.鈥

Kelly Sottile Class of 2008 Community Service Award

Honors a student who demonstrates a high level of personal commitment to the community beyond the campus. 

Tiyana Rose Mitchell-Farrow 鈥21

鈥淭iyana鈥檚 presence is extraordinarily infectious. Every space she walks into she leaves a mark and profound impact. Her unmatched presence, unique leadership, outstanding work ethic, humility, and deep involvement on campus are admirable and to be recognized widely.鈥

Mary Lyon Award

Given by the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association to young alumnae who have been out of the College for 15 years or less who demonstrate promise or sustained achievement in their lives, profession or community that is consistent with the humane values that Mary Lyon exemplified in her life and inspired in others.   

Eyitemi R. Popo 鈥21

Yedalis Ru铆z FP鈥08

Elizabeth L. Tighe 鈥10

Miller Worley Center for the Environment Sustainability and Justice Engagement Award

For students who have demonstrated excellence in engaging the Mount Holyoke community on topics of sustainability and environmental justice and who have supported the Miller Worley Center鈥檚 mission to create a greener and more equitable world.

Genesis Lara Granados 鈥21

Julia Talamo 鈥21

Isabelle Anne Wohlin 鈥21

Adrianne Wu 鈥22

Sally Montgomery Award

Given each year to a student or students whose community involvement exhibits a true union of student learning and community needs.  

Community-based Learning Fellows and Community Partnerships

Luisa Linares 鈥22 and Homework House

Joselin Marroquin 鈥22 and Homework House

Mirushe Bora Zylali 鈥21 and Homework House

Community-based Learning Fellows

Apara Sharma 鈥21

Louisa Mlsna Zebrowski 鈥21

Community-based Learning Fellows, Frances Perkins Award

Elisha Bonilla FP鈥21 and Girls Inc. of the Valley

Student Leadership and Service Award

Honors students who have consistently given their time, energy and talents to promote positive change and growth in the Mount Holyoke community, and in so doing have motivated others to do the same. 

Sabrina Coppola 鈥22

Nora Grace Brown Cyra 鈥21

Imann Moin 鈥22

Kathryn Murphy 鈥22

Elizabeth Sevigny 鈥23

Brayden Walden 鈥21

Amanda Windsor 鈥22 

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

Recognizes the outstanding contributions and achievements of a student who works while attending college. 

Ngan Tr岷 鈥22

For their role as Stewardship & Donor Relations Assistant in the Office of College Relations.

Student Group Awards

Distinguished Student Group Award

Honors recognizes student organizations and their distinguished level of contribution to the Mount Holyoke community through planned events and programs on campus.

STEMPOC

鈥淭hroughout this difficult year, STEMPOC has maintained a commitment to their members, the MHC community and themselves to continue the work of making everyone feel welcomed. Board members have pushed themselves to the fullest in bringing back a sense of community and helping students, professors and staff maintain and make connections through over 70 virtual events in the fall 2020 semester alone.鈥

Excellence in Programming Award

Recognizes a student organization or committee for its exceptional creativity, planning and execution of a campus-wide program.

Asian Students Association (ASA)

鈥淢ount Holyoke鈥檚 Asian Students Association hosts one of Mount Holyoke鈥檚 largest student-run events, VariAsians: a cultural show that celebrates Pan-Asian culture through food, art, fashion and performances. Although the pandemic made it difficult to celebrate VariAsians in the same way as previous years, their organization showcased creativity and determination to continue this tradition.鈥 

MoZone Community Builders Award

Recognizes the student organization that has done extraordinary work to create a diverse and inclusive community.  

Association of Pan-African Unity (APAU)

鈥淎PAU has been an incredibly impressive and accomplished student organization despite the circumstances of the pandemic and has consistently provided programming for their community and the student body as a whole. Despite the challenges faced this year, they have continued to thrive as an organization and are a truly admirable leader in student groups which other student organizations can look to for inspiration and collaboration.鈥

Weissman Center for Leadership Award for Excellence

Honors students who have demonstrated leadership across campus, with a particular commitment to Weissman Center for Leadership activities and events. 

Kesshni (Kessh) Bhaasiin 鈥22

Robin Carpenter Kerr 鈥21

Rachel Jinsun Kim 鈥21

Onyelukachukwu Ohiorhuemi Okonji 鈥21

Klara Grygo 鈥23