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MIT Federal Credit Union Recognizes 7th Annual Memorial Scholarship and People Helping People Award Winners
CAMBRIDGE, MA (May 1, 2013) MIT Federal Credit Union (MITFCU) recently recognized the winners of our annual Memorial Scholarship and People Helping People Award.
The People Helping People Award is presented to a member of MITFCU who exemplifies compassion, commitment to helping others, and a sense of social justice within the MIT Community. This year’s award winner is Angela Ma.
Angela is a junior at MIT majoring in Chemistry and Biology, and her résumé of community involvement at MIT is nothing short of astounding. Some of her distinctions include her role as a leader of Camp Kesem MIT (a student-operated summer camp designed for children who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer), her work with MIT MedLinks (a group that promotes the health and wellness of the MIT Community), and her position as a teaching assistant for biology and organic chemistry students. She was also awarded an internship during IAP 2013 (MIT’s “Independent Activities Period”) through the MIT Public Service Center, which allowed her to travel to India and work with the organization EnAble India. This is a charitable trust that empowers individuals with disabilities in India and helps them gain financial independence.
Rather than receive a $2,000 award for herself in addition to a $2,000 donation to an organization on her behalf, Angela has asked that MIT Federal Credit Union donate the entire $4,000 associated with this award to Camp Kesem MIT. MITFCU is very pleased to honor this noble request.
Camp Kesem is a national organization founded in 2000 to “empower college student leaders nationwide to create free, life-changing summer camps for children affected by a parent’s cancer” (campkesem.org/about-us). Colleges and universities from across the country participate by holding a unique camp session for local children. MIT’s chapter of Camp Kesem held its first session in 2007. Since then, hundreds of children have benefited from this supportive and meaningful experience. The organization is operated exclusively through fundraising efforts with donations coming from individual donors, auctions, grants, and fundraising events at MIT (campkesem.org/mit).
As a co-chair of the organization, Angela leads the camper care, teen program, and administration and camp programming committees and has helped to recruit 111 campers for the 2013 camp session. A fellow Camp Kesem MIT member who nominated Angela for this award states: “Angela leads her committees with the right combination of kindness and firmness, making her both approachable and respected within the CK MIT coordinator board.” Angela reported to MITFCU that thanks to this $4,000 donation, 15 new campers will be able to attend Camp Kesem MIT this year, at no cost to their families.
To support members investing in their education, and in honor of former staff and volunteers, MIT Federal Credit Union awarded six $1,000 Memorial Scholarships to accomplished students. This year’s winners are Allison Caloggero, Margo Dawes, Kira Gabridge, Rebecca McLaren, Calley Murphy, and Megan Robertson.
Allison Caloggero is currently finishing her senior year at the Saint Clement Parish School in Medford, MA where she is a standout in athletics. She is the captain of her high school’s Softball, Basketball, and Volleyball teams, and has consistently been honored as a Catholic Central League All Star and Most Valuable Player. This fall, she plans to attend Lasell College in Newton, MA.
Margo Dawes is currently a sophomore at MIT studying Civil Engineering and Planning. She is actively involved in cultural and social clubs at MIT such as the Gender Fluidity Club and the Institute Committee on Race and Diversity. Among her many interests and activities, Margo is an Opinion Writer for The Tech Newspaper and a Program Assistant in the Women’s and Gender Studies Office.
Kira Gabridge is currently finishing her senior year at Brookline High school where she is a co-captain of the Field Hockey Team, a participant in the Brookline High School Junior and Senior Mentorship Program, and a co-founder of the Brookline High School Pulsera Project, which aims to raise funds for Nicaraguan youth. This fall, Kira plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh.
Rebecca McLaren is currently finishing her senior year at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica, MA and has demonstrated an early passion for business. Through Skills USA (a program that supports the development of world-class workers, leaders, and responsible citizens), Rebecca placed as a Gold Medalist at the state level and 7th place at the National Level in Entrepreneurship. This fall, Rebecca plans to attend Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Calley Murphy is currently a junior at MIT where she is majoring in Mathematics and Management Science. She is a co-captain of the MIT Women’s Water Polo Club, a member of MIT’s Four Consulting Club (a student-run organization that helps groups on campus to overcome their organizational and leadership challenges), and a Secretary and Member Development Representative for the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Megan Robertson is a sophomore at Amherst College in Amherst, MA studying History and Mathematics. She is a member of the Amherst College Women’s Basketball Team and was named Rookie of the Year during her freshman year by the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). In addition to athletics, Megan is a member of 3D Community Service, which encourages mentally disabled adults to participate in physical games and activities.