Local Eastern Students Honored at Inclusive Excellence Awards
More than 200 Eastern Connecticut State University students of African, Latino, Asian and Native American (ALANA) descent were honored on May 9 at the 2019 Inclusive Excellence Awards. Among those honored were Danbury residents Lauryn Menzie, Gaia Mistriel, Aline Silva and Catrina Sullivan.
All students who were honored achieved an overall GPA of at least 3.5. An additional 11 students were recognized for demonstrating exemplary co-curricular engagement at Eastern.
Among the honored were:
Lauryn Menzie majors in Health Sciences and was presented with an Academic Excellence Award.
Gaia Mistriel majors in Health Sciences and was presented with an Academic Excellence Award.
Aline Silva majors in Pre-Early Childhood Education and Sociology and was presented with an Academic Excellence Award.
Catrina Sullivan majors in Biology and was presented with an Academic Excellence Award.
Kawami Evans, a history and social science graduate of Eastern's class of 97', was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. "Who you are is what we are celebrating today," said Evans. "All the earned accolades you are receiving are but a byproduct of the brilliance within you . . . You are the promise of our ancestors' prayers and walk with the wisdom and swag of those who have grit, resilience, social and emotional intelligence, curiosity and hope."
Other awards were given for volunteer service, athletic excellence, career development, leadership, social justice advocacy and more.