23 students honored by SUNY Orange with annual Sojourner Truth Awards

Twenty-three students from Chester Academy were honored at SUNY Orange’s annual Sojourner Truth Award ceremony on March 6 at the Middletown Campus, recognizing their achievements in academics, leadership and service. 

The award commemorates Sojourner Truth, a 19th century activist who fought for the abolition of slavery and championed women’s rights and racial equality. The ceremony helps keep her legacy alive by highlighting students who demonstrate her qualities. 

Students in grades six through 12 were honored for their accomplishments in a variety of areas such as perseverance and effort, citizenship, diversity, creative arts, English Language Arts, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, technology and athletics.

“This program is one in which we (the guidance department) particularly love because it recognizes students for all different kinds of categories that aren't just necessarily only about academics,” said school counselor Jenny McKenzie.

Recipients, who are chosen by faculty and school administrators, have received a medal and Certificate of Recognition from SUNY Orange. Additionally, four sophomores selected from among the award recipients each year are awarded scholarships that can be applied toward tuition, if they choose to  attend SUNY Orange.

The program’s mission is to encourage students from all backgrounds to pursue post secondary education while reinforcing the idea that socioeconomic status and personal circumstance should not stand in the way of academic and personal success.

The Sojourner Truth Award also aligns with the District’s commitment to fostering a learning  environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion – one where every student feels safe, valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential.

During the event, recipients heard from keynote speaker Yaa Yaa Whaley-Williams, curator of Sadie’s Mobile Bookseum, the first Black-owned bookstore in Middletown, who brings more than 20 years experience in education, community building and culturally responsive leadership.

Check out the list of recipients and their award categories below!

Chester Academy High School

• Dior Bailey, Perseverance/Effort
• Danielle Boadu, Perseverance/Effort
• Jefferson Chacon Jimenez, Perseverance/Effort
• Vivian Corey, Perseverance/Effort
• Savannah Curtis, Perseverance/Effort
• Elizabeth Garcia, English Language Arts
• Lauren Higgins, Citizenship
• Daniel Lai, Citizenship
• Patrick Lai, Perseverance/Effort
• Braelyn Melay, Athletics
• Jordan Nwachi, Perseverance/Effort
• Tatiana Rojas-Brown, Citizenship
• Jeremy Sanchez, Perseverance/Effort
• Joseph Vega, Foreign Languages
• Karla Veltri, Citizenship

Chester Academy Middle School

• Iyla Amil, Citizenship
• Raishaly Calderon, Athletics
• Max Durant, Sciences
• Chloe Gossai, Sciences
• Miles Ibocko, English Language Arts
• Alan Lin, Perseverance/Effort
• Adair Navarrete Hernandez, English Language Arts
• Caleb Zulme, Foreign Languages
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