Sojourner truth artwork

Congratulations to the 21 High School/Middle School students who will be recognized by SUNY Orange as part of its 35th annual Sojourner Truth Awards on Friday, March 7. 

The SojournerTruth Award program honors the memory and legacy of Isabella Baumfree, known as Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist and women’s rights activist who was born into slavery in New York and escaped to freedom in 1826.

SUNY Orange presents the awards to celebrate local students in grades six through 12 for their achievements and growth in various aspects of school life, academics, and the study of the arts. Students are nominated for the award by their teachers, guidance counselors and other district staff.

Honorees are:  

students

High School:

  •  Samuel Anderson, Perseverance/Effort

  •  Robert Ayers, Athletics

  • Andres Balseca Jr., Mathematics

  • Maria (Alejandra) Bermeo Rivera, Perseverance/Effort 

  • Ryan Capo, Perseverance/Effort 

  • Patricia Deslandes, Athletics 

  • Audrey Guido, Citizenship 

  • Cheyann Kumar, Creative Arts 

  • Helena Sopin, Athletics 

  • Anthony Tresch, Athletics  

students

Middle School: 

  • Nii Addo (Lennox) Addo, Perseverance/Effort  

  • Joscelynn Beltran, Perseverance/Effort 

  • Maura Cizek, Foreign Languages 

  • Jada Gibson, English Language Arts  

  • Eisen Jackson, Sciences  

  • Jackie Lockett, Citizenship

  • Kamren Melendez, Perseverance/Effort 

  • Kaylee Mendez, Diversity 

  • Ava Messiina, Perseverance/Effort

  • Evaliz Paniagua-Lara, Sciences  

  • Nevaeh Thomas, Perseverance/Effort

  • Victoria Torres, Citizenship

 The 6 p.m. ceremony will honor them and other Orange County school district students at the SUNY Orange Physical Education Building in Middletown.