Home Page: MARY LOUISE SYMON AWARD

MARY LOUISE SYMON MEMORIAL AWARD

Purpose: Advance an agenda of social change consistent with Mary Louise Symon’s Life-Long Vision. Ms.Symon blazed a path for women in politics. She was the first woman chair of the Dane County Board. Throughout her life she remained deeply committed to creating an enlightened citizenry and advancing a broad social agenda including protecting the environment, preserving farmland and rural regions, making courts more humane, ensuring fair housing, and defending social services, among others. She was one of the founders of the Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin. 

The 2011 winners are . . .
Iowa-Grant graduating senior Michaela Marshall didn’t let adversity get her down. When an injury, requiring multiple surgeries, sidelined her from playing the sports she loved, she became the manager of several sports teams. Aware of the impact of government funding reductions on rural children in southwest Wisconsin, she stepped up to fill in some of the gaps, tutoring, collecting food, teaching swimming and repairing homes on mission trips. With a passion for science, she obtained high marks in rigorous coursework and will pursue a career in exercise and rehabilitation sciences.

Involved in music and many other school activities, Highland graduating senior Amber Stanek recognized that obesity has become a national epidemic. Her dream is to “to turn this national issue into something that isn’t an issue at all.” To achieve this goal she will pursue an ambitious double major in Dietetics and International Science. After graduation her dream is to create a non-profit organization to help maintain good nutrition in third world countries. “I see nothing more rewarding than helping those in need,” she says.

River Valley graduating senior Mariah Sujewicz recognized that bullying of LGBT individuals is a pressing issue in many schools and communities. To tackle this problem, she and other concerned students formed the Gay Straight Alliance at River Valley High School which has resulted in the decline in harassment at River Valley by promoting a safe school climate to counteract bullying of all kinds. She was also a four-year-member of the school’s Mock Trial Team, among many other activities. “Opposing attorneys cringed at the thought of cross-examining her,” said Jason Hollenberg, her mock trial coach.

Sponsor: Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin.

Eligibility: One or more awards granted annually to a graduating senior from one of these area high schools: River Valley, Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Highland, Iowa-Grant, Barneveld, and Pecatonica. (As additional funds become available, more than one award may be made in future years.)

Monetary Award: $500 will be awarded in 2011 to further the recipient’s leadership experience. The applicant should indicate his or her planned use of the award, for example, to attend college, to perform a public service internship involving political or political action activities, to participate in a leadership conference.

Criteria: Awards will be based on the following criteria:

a. A grade point average in the top 30 percent of the class.
b. Participation in documented community engagement—school, church, the arts, or other volunteer efforts--that demonstrates applicant’s devotion to communityservice.
c. Character ratings.
d. Student-written essay on topic demonstrating applicant’s knowledge of social issues and commitment to community service. [Application form and essay criteria are in the application below.]

Timing: Applications for recommended applicants are to be forwarded by May 1st to Grassroots Citizens, in care of Mary Ann McKenna, 2716 Porter Road, Lone Rock, Wisconsin 53556, or to mawmckenna@aol.com The award recipient will be announced in May.

Promotion: Grassroots Citizens will assist in promoting the award in your community, including brochures, press releases, and flyers in public places. The objective is to ensure a pool of applicants with diverse backgrounds. A representative of Grassroots Citizens will be available to present the Award at the school’s Awards Assembly.

 

Past Winners:

• 2011
• 2010