Boadu named to Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team
GARDNER — Mount Wachusett Community College student
Christine Boadu of Holden has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team and will be honored with her peers in a ceremony to be held May 4.
“Christine is an exceptional young woman who holds leadership positions on campus, is an incredibly hard worker, and brings great ideas forward in her work regularly,” noted Fagan Forhan, PTK adviser and dean of K-12 Partnerships and Civic Engagement.
“In high school I found that I wanted to grow academically and advance my community service knowledge. I did some research and found the Pathways Early College program, where I was able to start college early in my junior year of high school. I was able to earn credits which would cut down the amount of time and money spent at a fouryear college. I’ve also been able to participate in community service projects that have helped build my leadership skills and my love for helping my community,” Boadu said.
As a dual enrollment student, Boadu will be receiving her associate degree in interdisciplinary studies and her high school diploma in May. This fall, she will begin her bachelor’s degree studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in biological and biomedical sciences, with the goal of eventually earning her doctoral degree.
Boadu’s parents moved from Ghana when they were in their twenties. They struggled to make ends meet and find shelter, and as the parents of three young children, working through college classes proved difficult. However, they persevered, and both earned master’s degrees. Inspired by their perseverance, she sought help with her homework and college applications at her local library. The kindness of the librarians’ efforts touched her, she began to volunteer there too, helping others who were in a similar position as she had been.
“When I volunteered at my local library, I was glad to help those who could not help themselves. It was almost as if I was their ringleader, leading them to resources and programs to help them navigate through the difficulties of American life,” Boadu adds. “I found that my passion for leadership grows each time a person learns to get back on their feet and start again. Being a leader means not standing at the highest point of the pedestal but humbling yourself to help others at their lowest points. I hope to continue such efforts towards immigrants adjusting to their new environment in the future.”
Anna Maria College 2023 Commencement PAXTON — Anna Maria College will hold its 74th Commencement Exercises on Monday, May 15, at 10 a.m. at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester.
The college will bestow honorary degrees on Peter Caparso, a business executive and start-up investor, and posthumously on Sister Carol Proietti, a Sister of St. Anne. Caparso will deliver the commencement address. Meghan J. Sonia, a senior nursing major from Martha’s Vineyard, will represent the class of 2023 as the student speaker.
On Saturday, May 13, Anna Maria College will hold a Social Work Pinning ceremony at 1 p.m. on campus in the Zecco Performing Arts Center, followed by a Nursing Pinning ceremony at 3 p.m. The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated in the Fuller Activities Center at 5 p.m.
Aliko inducted into honor society at Holy Cross
WORCESTER — Ebi Aliko of Holden has been inducted into Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society, a national honor society recognizing the achievements of first-generation students, alumni, staff, faculty and administrators. Aliko, a member of the class of 2023, was one of 67 students inducted into Delta Omicron, the honor society’s Holy Cross chapter.
Founded in 2018, Tri-Alpha promotes academic excellence and provides members with a multitude of benefits, including opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, campus and community service and the opportunity to receive mentoring from more senior first-generation students, as well as faculty, staff and alumni who were first-generation students.
To qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha students must meet the following criteria: Completed at least three full-time terms of study and achieved an overall grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Neither the student’s parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians completed a bachelor’s degree.
Skyhawks dance to victory
EASTON — Morgan Morris of Rutland, a member of the Stonehill College Dance Team, competed at the College Classic National Championship in Orlando, Florida. The competition, held April 6-8, saw more than 50 dance and cheer teams from colleges and universities across the country facing off against one another.
Stonehill took home the first-place national title for the Division I Hip Hop category. They also ranked fourth in both the Pom and Jazz categories.
“This year was like no other in our program’s history. It was our first year competing in Division I, and the athletes rose to the challenge,” said Michelle Montinieri, head coach of the Stonehill College Dance Team. “Our athletes stayed focus on controlling the controllable, and their hard work and dedication paid off on stage. As their coach, I am beaming with pride.”
During the academic year, the Stonehill College Dance Team performs at all home football and basketball games, as well as the winter pep rally. They also volunteer at various on-campus programs and host many fundraising events benefitting local organizations.
