The Water Insecurity Correction Coalition, Inc. is excited to announce its Mari Copeny Award & Scholarship Winners for the Class of 2022. These seven 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 Molly Morse-Belcher, Lauren Chuhta, and Shea Fortier. The winners from the New Jersey region are Daniela Palacios and Manuela Duarte from Science Park High School and Esmeralda Ignacio from Technology High School. The winner representing the Flint, Michigan region is Antonio Sweeney from Madison Academy High School.
Newark Water Coalition, Hudson Crossing Park, and Betterbee are all leading sponsors of the scholarship. Newark Water Coalition, led by Founder Anthony Diaz, works to cultivate a self-determined local, national, and international community of people who recognize the connection between systemic environmental racism and capitalism in Newark, New Jersey. Diaz also serves on the Scholarship Selection Committee for the Newark Region.
Hudson Crossing Park is a unique recreational and educational destination and nonprofit centered on Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island just outside of Schuylerville, New York. Betterbee is based out of Greenwich, New York and supplies the region with beekeeping supplies, bee and honey products, and beekeeping education.
SCHOLARSHIP CLASS OF 2022 WINNERS:
Molly Morse-Belcher
Greenwich High School
Greenwich
Attending Smith College in Fall 2022
Lauren Chuhta
Greenwich High School
Greenwich
Attending Cornell University in Fall 2022
Shea Fortier
Greenwich High School
Greenwich
Attending Hamilton College in Fall 2022
Daniela Palacios
Science Park High School
Newark
Attending Columbia University in Fall 2022
Esmeralda Ignacio
Technology High School
Newark
Attending Rutgers New Brunswick in Fall 2022
Manuela Duarte
Science Park High School
Newark
Attending Cornell University in Fall 2022
Antonio Sweeney
Madison Academy High School
Flint
Attending Hampton University in Fall 2022
Mari Copeny, a 14-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.
Based out of Upstate New York, Water Insecurity Correction Coalition, Inc. intends to advocate for and directly aid residents of water insecure communities to ensure equitable access to clean water for people across the United States. WICC focuses on 5 key areas of advocacy to fight for water security for all Americans: fundraising development, grassroots activism, legislative advocacy, youth empowerment, and meaningful education. For more information on the scholarship and WICC, visit yeswicc.com.