CU students are honored by area agencies and programs for their community service efforts

Sophomore Yizhi Meng, left, a volunteer with the Ithaca Youth Bureau's One-to-One Program, had her award presented by staff member Mimi Melegrito, right. Julia Featheringill/University Photography

The Cornell Public Service Center helped honor 27 students dedicated to community service at its second annual Community Spirit Awards April 21 in the Biotechnology Building. A result of a collaboration between area community agencies and the Cornell center, the awards program recognized and celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of community work-study and volunteer students at Cornell.

Local human service agency representatives nominated students in five categories, and the award recipients were selected by a committee headed by Renee Farkas, Public Service Center coordinator of community programs and the organizer of the awards program. The center, which serves as a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities, received 33 nominations for awards this year.

Marjorie Olds, executive director of the Women's Community Building, who herself nominated two students, gave the opening remarks at the ceremony. She spoke about the importance of students participating in public service as well as the importance of recognizing their selfless efforts. Award winners received certificates of recognition, and plaques with their names will be hung in the Public Service Center.

Following are the award winners, the categories in which they were honored and the agency or program official who was their presenter.

• Innovation in Service: Rachel Ambats '99, community work-study for On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Joshua Wojcik; James Barbat '99, community work-study for Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, presented by Katherine Clute; Nolly Evans '99, volunteer at On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Wojcik; Annette Gifford '99, community work-study for the Law Guardian Office, presented by Susan Hatch; Martin Mitchell, graduate student, volunteer nominated by the Cornell Department of Theatre, Film and Dance for work at area youth facilities, presented by Ellen Gainor; and Mariah Roof '01, community work-study for the Reconstruction Home, presented by Carol Eichler.

• Dedicated Service: Peter Boches '99, community work-study for the Paleontological Research Institution, presented by Bridget Rigas; Michelle Brandon '99, community work-study for the Hangar Theatre, presented by Iska Ziver; Adrianna Hirtler '99, community work-study for Finger Lakes State Park Region, presented by Tony Ingraham; Emily Levitt '99, nominated by the Academic Advising Center in the Cornell College of Arts and Sciences for work in international community nutrition, presented by Marilyn Williams; Irene Ryan '99, community work-study for the Women's Community Building, presented by Marjorie Olds; and Scott Weiss '00, community work-study for On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Joshua Wojcik.

• Excellence in Academics and Service: Uriyoan Colon '99, community work-study and volunteer at the Esperanza program, presented by Cecilia Montaner-Vargas and Debra Castillo; Matthew Dounel '99, volunteer and founder of a food redistribution program, nominated by the Cornell Department of Communication, presented by Ronald Ostman; and Georgia Jones '99, community work-study for Offender Aid and Restoration, presented by Michelle Putney.

• Community Building: Keith Becker '01, community work-study for Human Services Coalition, presented by Dorothy Palladino; Jack Higgins '00, volunteer with the Ithaca Youth Bureau's One-to-One Program, presented by Sandy Larkin; Jessica Jackson '01, community work-study and volunteer at Planned Parenthood of Tompkins County, presented by Kathleen Woodcock; Brenda Kulju '00, community work-study for the Women's Community Building, presented by Marjorie Olds; Yizhi Meng '01, volunteer at the One-to-One Program, presented by Mimi Melegrito; and Chris Papadopoulos '00, volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, presented by Chris Pothier.

• Star Performer: Jenna Barrows '00, community work-study for On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Joshua Wojcik; Itai Dinour '00, community work-study for On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Wojcik; Michael Ikoma '00, community work-study for Fall Creek School Age Child Care Program, nominated by Denise Sullivan; Michael MacDonald '99, community work-study for On Site Volunteer Services, presented by Wojcik; Ryan McFarland '99, community work-study for the City of Ithaca Attorney's Office, presented by Mariette Geldenhuys; and Kristin Rusello '99, community work-study for the Finger Lakes Land Trust, presented by Debbie Kanze.