The Water Insecurity Correction Coalition, Inc. is excited to announce its Mari Copeny Award & Scholarship Winners for the Class of 2021. These six high school seniors were selected by a committee of community leaders, teachers, and representatives from the youth-led nonprofit organization based on their community leadership experiences, commitment to social justice, and academic prowess. Each award winner also receives a $100 scholarship.
The winners from Greenwich High School are Kyle Karp and Isabelle Solan. The winners from the New Jersey region are Goodness Ifesanya from Science Park High School, Naquaya Mitchell from University High School, and Delphina Addo-Laryea from University High School. The winner representing the Flint, Michigan region is Hailee Clack from Powers Catholic High School.
Isabelle Solan has been involved in 4-H in Washington county since she was eight. In the last ten years she has worked in the 4-H food booth and milkshake booth at the Washington County fair. She has dedicated many hours to being a strong role model for the younger group members and leading them in various projects from camping safety to arts and crafts projects. She has also been a member of the national honor society since her jr year. 4-H has taught her how to not only public speaking skills, but also how to be a leader and teacher, and she will carry those things with her forever.
Kyle Karp has been involved in volunteering throughout high school, especially as a member of Greenwich’s National Honor Society. Kyle has volunteered at events like the local Tractor Parade, the Greenwich Central High School Blood Drive, Operation Santa, and more. Kyle was also part of the Tutoring Committee for National Honor Society and tutored 7th and 8th graders after school last year. Kyle has been on the High Honor Roll every year of high school and is graduating in the top 10 of his class. Next year, Kyle will be studying linguistics in the Honors Program at SUNY Albany.
Goodness Ifesanya is a senior at Science Park High School in Newark, NJ. Goodness was selected to join a special young Black students tech mentorship community program offered by Microsoft in Summer 2020. Goodness has also been deeply involved in community service and social engagement, and this was recognized by his election as President of the Stand and Deliver club at SPHS, a club that aims to provide students with skills of healthy debate and clear communication. In the future, Goodness has career aspirations to become a financial expert and business leader.
Naquaya Mitchell is an honor student at University High School in Newark, NJ. She is a passionate cheerleader at her high school, and has been a cheer coach for almost 5 years now. After graduation, Naquaya plans to attend university and major in Early Childhood Education.
Delphina Addo-Laryea is also an honor student at University High School. Delphina volunteers at her local food bank, and is committed to being a strong member of her community.
Hailee Clack has been an integrated member of her community throughout her high school career. On campus, she is a player on many sports teams and a member of many extracurricular clubs. She is on the basketball and track teams at Swartz Creek High School, and ran track at Powers Catholic. She is the Vice-President of Vernon Chapel AME Usher Board, a member of the Model UN club, a representative on her high school’s Human Relations Council, and many other community groups. Hailee has volunteered at food giveaways at church and fundraised for causes including breast cancer awareness.
Mari Copeny, a 13-year-old activist from Michigan, is popularly known as “Little Miss Flint” for her community leadership and fight for clean water for her fellow Flint, Michigan residents, who have been in the midst of a lead water crisis for seven years now. The Mari Copeny Award and Scholarship for graduating high school seniors is meant to honor Mari’s legacy as a dedicated social justice warrior and encourage community involvement and leadership in young adults.