For Immediate Release
Contact: Lea Ann Scales
Assistant Vice President
of Public Relations and Marketing
(508) 929-8018
January 17, 2012
(Worcester, MA)— Joseph and Raquel Castro Corazinni and Tiffany Lillie received the Dr. George Storms Smith Youth Service Award at the 18th Annual Youth Breakfast honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Worcester State University, Saturday, January 14. The Youth Service Awards were presented by Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty, who was accompanied by City Councilors Kate Toomey and Sarai Rivera, a WSU alumna.
Joseph M Corazzini serves as the Assistant Project Director of Community Organizing—Main South Promise Neighborhood. Raquel Castro Corizinni works as the Program Manager of Girls Choice, a mentoring system designed to empower young underserved girls. The couple are both graduates of Worcester State University. Tiffany Lillie serves as the YWCA Youth Development Coordinator. She is a member of YouthConnect Program managers and Connectors Committees, acting to increase resources for youth. Emi Golloshi received the MLK Community Service Award. Rose Mathieu and Jenifer Seifart received the Worcester State University President’s Scholarship.
In opening remarks to the crowd, Provost Charles Cullum quoted Dr. King’s letter from Birmingham jail, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Cullum welcomed attendees to the university on behalf of the President Barry M. Maloney, who was out of state and unable to attend.
The Martin Luther King Community Breakfast has become one of the premier community events of the year for local youth. The theme of the MLK Youth Breakfast, Youth Against Violence, is a program for youth, by youth. The breakfast is designed instill in students the principles and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to take a peaceful stand against violence, especially youth violence. The first annual event drew 200 youth and today the number of attendees continues to grow each year.
The following students were recognized in the poetry contest:
Natalie Arloo 11, Holy Name High School
William Bowden 9, Holy Name High School
Lillian Cain 7, Sullivan Middle School
Angelica Chavez 7, University Park Campus School
Rachael Estrada 11, Claremont Academy
Jacqueline Forson 8, Sullivan Middle School
Geklent Giaya 12, Holy Name High School
David Judkins 8, Sullivan Middle School
Katherine Hernandez 9, Claremont Academy
Linh Ho 7, Sullivan Middle School
Mercy Karanja 9, Claremont Academy
Julie Karlowicz 12, Holy Name High School
Sarah Kary 10, Burncoat High School
Fodee Kromah 10, Holy Name High School
Lisa Martinez 12, Holy Name High School
Katherine McFarlane 7, Sullivan Middle School
Frederick Mercado 11, Claremont Academy
Peter Mungara 11, Doherty High School
Fiona Mwariama 11, Burncoat High School
Giovanni Petrella 7, Worcester Academy
Peter Russo 12, Holy Name High School
Kimlee Son 11, South High School
Pat Tetteh 12, Doherty High School
Tiffany Tran 12, Doherty High School
Haley Wolochowicz 10, Holy Name High School
Jeremiah Wright 9, Holy Name High School
Click here for the event program and the winning poems.
Featured Performances will included Voices of Praise Children’s Choir, Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church, Soloist Vanessa Ford, Seven Hills Charter School Choir and the Joan Warren Studio.
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