Student awarded for volunteerism, service
Between work, school, extracurricular activities and a social life, many students find themselves busy all year around.
Melissa Kirklewski, a senior majoring in speech communication and political science, is no exception.
Kirklewski received the Young Woman of Tomorrow Award April 23, 2007.
Kirklewski said the YWCA holds an annual “Women of the Year” award to honor special women whose lives, talents and passions have shaped the community.
The event is more than 30 years old.
The Young Woman of Tomorrow is given to a young woman between 19 and 25 years of age, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, scholastic ability, volunteer service or special achievements, Kirklewski said.
Kirklewski said Kara Stack, Joshua Boschee and Amy O’Connor nominated her for the award.
“I am student coordinator with the NDSU Volunteer Network, a student-run program that educates the campus community about civic engagement and helps people find community service opportunities that fit their needs and skills,” Kirklewski said when asked what accomplishments she’s had throughout the year.
Kirklewski said she was also instrumental in developing a new three-credit course, the
Omega Project, which teaches students about becoming civically engaged and social activists who understand issues related to race, gender and sexual orientation.
In addition to the Volunteer Network, Kirklewski said she has been involved with planning events for Women’s Week, Civil Education Month, Safe Zone Ally training, coordinating a new HIV/AIDS education program and co-facilitating a book club that addresses social justice issues through children’s literature.
Although most nominations were kept confidential, Kirklewski said Jessica Clark, a senior majoring in psychology, was also nominated.
“Jessica is a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard and a member of the Feminist Majority (a campus group engaged in volunteer work with several organizations serving women and children),” Kirklewski said.
Clark was the public relations co-coordinator for the 2007 Women In Action conference and participated in the Tri-College National Education for Women’s Leadership Development Institute, Kirklewski said.
“She has done incredible things and deserves a lot of recognition,” she said.
Kirklewski was surprised to hear her name announced at the banquet.
“Having people that you really, really respect take the time to do this was enough for me,” she said. “In fact, it took me a little longer to get up on stage because I didn’t actually believe they had called my name until I saw my friends and family standing and clapping for me.”
Kirklewski said hearing all of the nominated women’s incredible stories (like surviving cancer, surviving abusive relationships or being a foster parent to over 400 children) reinforces the idea that this award recognized a lot of brilliant women in the area.
According to ymca.org, the YMCA is an organization whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
There were 45 women nominated overall, which is the largest number of nominations ever.
“This experience really makes me feel grateful for the incredible network of support I have been lucky enough to have,” Kirklewski said. “Most importantly, it made me realize that some of the most influential people in my life are women, and they are strong women who are capable of doing whatever they wish to do.”