Here's who won scholarships, awards at ESU's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

East Stroudsburg University awarded scholarships and recognized the winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. awards and the Julianna V. Bolt Art Contest at its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Jan. 15.

Four students received the Mary Gertrude Smith Boddie Scholarship, providing $3,880 for the spring semester: Amanda Antoine, a senior psychology major from Allentown; Tiffany Silva, a sophomore English and secondary education major from the Bronx, N.Y.; Shidae Jones, a junior public health major from Philadelphia; and Adoris Kwaidah, a junior psychology major from Philadelphia.

In 1904, Boddie was the first African American student to graduate from what was then known as East Stroudsburg State Normal School. Today, scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students of color at ESU who are asked to describe their commitment to social justice through community and university involvement.

Four people received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, whose recipients exemplify characteristics of King’s philosophy of non-violence, equality, justice, cultural diversity and respect for humanity. The two student recipients were Brian Akonu, a senior majoring in communication from Allentown; and Keiara Whetstone, a senior majoring in athletic training from Levittown. They are the presidents of the Student Government Association and the ESU collegiate chapter of National Council for Negro Women, respectively, among other activities.

The award also went to Selena Hines, an ESU employee of 18 years and current executive assistant to the vice president for campus life and inclusive excellence; and Michael Healey, an educator of 21 years at East Stroudsburg South High School and founding partner of the school’s Purple Pantry.

Out of 56 entries in the Julianna V. Bolt Art Contest, first place went to Owen Christian from Stroudsburg High School. Elizabeth Molinaro from Stroudsburg High School was second and Angela K. Ketrick from Pleasant Valley High School was third. Honorable mention went to Phoebe Stone from Pleasant Valley High School and a group project by Laurent Noah Gousse, McKenna Ianetti, Alexanne Kaplafka, Ryan Marino, Josephine Ramirez and Sanai Figueroa Taylor from East Stroudsburg High School North.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Scholarships, awards given at ESU's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration