Students' efforts honored with Community Spirit Awards

Cornell senior Rosa Allison, second from right, a student voluteer at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and a Community Spirit Award winner, was nominated for the award by GIAC staff members, from left, Bob Skates, youth worker; Tavis Brooks, youth program coordinator; and Cassandra Nelson, team program coordinator. Robert Barker/University Photography

By Annie Litvak '02

Presentations of the Cornell Public Service Center's third annual Community Spirit Awards were made Thursday, April 20, in Robert Purcell Community Center. The ceremony honored the contributions of students for their exemplary community service efforts in the Ithaca area and at Cornell.

"The idea was inspired by staff members of local agencies who wanted a way to thank the students for their work," said Renee Farkas, assistant director of the Public Service Center.

The winners, volunteers and work-study students, and their community employers joined Public Service Center administrators for a relaxed and spirited two hours of personal accounts and warm expressions of gratitude.

Ithaca Mayor Alan Cohen opened the ceremony by discussing the value of community service. "A community is people together for a common purpose," he said, adding, "We have an obligation to each other as human beings."

Scott Weiss, the director of On Site Volunteer Services, was there to recognize four students who work with On Site and were being recognized for their sense of obligation and community participation. Alma Flores, a graduate student in public affairs, was among them. Flores works as comptroller and director of financial management and quality assurance for the Ithaca non-profit organization, which recruits volunteers -- mostly students -- for over 40 local agencies. "She brings a very mature outlook to our organization," said Weiss.

Schaun Lamont Valdovinos, a junior in engineering, majoring in computer science, also has worked for On Site as a project manager for two semesters before being promoted to his current position as director of project management.

"My working for On Site Volunteer Services has become the highest priority in my life," said Valdovinos. When asked what the award meant to him, he explained, "It gives me renewed energy to keep plugging away at making things happen, knowing that people actually are noticing."

Another honored volunteer, Doug Mitarotonda, has made an impact in only his second year at Cornell. A triple major in computer science, mathematics and Asian studies, Mitarotonda has volunteered with Michelle Buckstrup at Cornell Plantations. "The Cornell Plantations played a role in my deciding to come to school here," Mitarotonda said. "For me to be able to volunteer for them has been a great opportunity to thank them for everything that they provide for students."

Buckstrup said she appreciates the spirit that volunteers bring. "Volunteers are usually very motivated and expand, by exponential degrees, the efficiency of an organization," she said.

Daniel Vreeman, a senior majoring in biology, urged students to get involved in volunteer work as much as they can. "While academic life can be exceedingly demanding on your time, work in the community can be an invaluable contribution to your overall education," he said.

Community Spirit Award winners are:

·For "Innovation in Service," presented to students who have initiated a project within an agency or brought tools or skills to the agency resulting in an enrichment of the agency's services:

Daniel Vreeman '00, community work study for The Learning Web; Ghalina Kislik, graduate student, volunteer for the Samaritan Center; Alma Flores, grad, volunteer at On Site Volunteer Services; Stephen deSouza '00, community work study for the Women's Community Building; and Doug Mitarotonda '02, volunteer for Cornell Plantations.

·For "Dedicated Service," presented to students who have shown a long-term commitment to a single agency or project:

Vanessa Frohwirth '00, community work study for the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County; Monique Jackson '00, community work study for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center; Rosa Allison '00, community work study for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center; Bernadette Beredo '00, community work study for the Durland Alternatives Library; and Thomas Conlon '00, volunteer with AIDS Work of Tompkins County.

·For "Excellence in Academics and Service," presented to students who have shown active involvement in the community while maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or above:

Schaun Valdovinos '01, community work study with On Site Volunteer Services.

·For "Community Building," presented to students who have worked to build understanding of a particular issue across the community and have brought together various groups within the community:

Alexandra Weintraub '01, community work study with On Site Volunteer Services; and Erin Brannan '02, community work study with On Site Volunteer Services.

·For "Star Performer," presented to students who perform their work with contagious enthusiasm:

Molly Hawkey '00, volunteer with the Skylight Club, Tompkins County Mental Health Services; Naomi White '00, community work study for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center; Camara Barrett '00, community work study for Glove House Inc.; and Colleen Chan '00, community work study for the Public Service Center.