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Student Leaders Recognized
Recent graduate Sheril Steinberg was awarded the Lena E. Johnson Inclusive Community Award
Featured News | May 29, 2018
By Laynee H. Timlin
International Studies Major Sheril Steinberg
Sheril Steinberg ’18 walked away with the Lena E. Johnson Inclusive Community Award at this year’s student leadership award ceremony, known as “The Bobbies.”
The annual award ceremony recognizes outstanding student leaders who have been nominated by their peers in a wide variety of categories. A committee comprised of faculty, staff and students reviews the nominations and selects the award recipients.
Steinberg, who graduated on May 19 with a B.A. in International Studies, says she is from a dual culture household –Ecuadorian and Jewish-American—and speaks fluent Spanish. Though she grew up in Northern Virginia, she attended high school in Guatemala and the Philippines, before moving to Los Angeles to work in a high-needs neighborhood with the non-profit City Year before enrolling at Virginia Wesleyan.
During her years at VWU, Steinberg has been in the Honor and Scholars Program, participated in the Ethics Bowl, Model United Nations, Village Council, the Student Finance Council, and the Latino Student Alliance. She studied abroad for a semester in Chile, while living with a host family and attending a prestigious Catholic University there. She also helped to coordinate the “I Am An Immigrant Campaign” on campus, as part of the national coalition.
“I believe in getting to know people as individuals. When you are scared, just dive in. We need to respect each other more. Just look into someone’s eyes and really see them. Honor and recognize life. Everything that is alive is struggling to live. We’re all just trying to survive. All life is sacred.”
Steinberg says she is constantly outside of her culture and she believes that people who are brave enough to establish bonds with those different than themselves learn a lot and are better for it. She acknowledges that she is a woman who likes to speak her mind.
“People need to be comfortable in their own skin,” says Steinberg, “they need to take it all in, observe others, and recognize that every person you meet knows something you don’t. Be humble enough to get to know others and accept them for who they are.”
After graduation from VWU, Steinberg headed to Mongolia to serve in the Peace Corps for two years. She wants to continue work with international nonprofits throughout her career.
“I don’t like borders or fences and the idea of keeping people out.”
The Bobbies: Student Leadership Awards
Congratulations to the 2018 Student Leadership Award Recipients:
Special Awards
Wesleyan Spirit Award - Brandon Foster
Campus Impact Award - Emily Testroet
Quiet Influence Award - Jason Seward
Lena E. Johnson Inclusive Community Award - Sheril Steinberg
First Year Residential Leadership Student Award - Zion Purvis-Allen
Greg Freedland - Tyke Pantophlet Resident Student Leadership Award - Brianna Brown
Overall Awards
Outstanding Program - Shackathon (Winter Shelter Managers)
Outstanding Collaborative Program - Shackathon (Winter Shelter Managers)
Outstanding Creative Program - Personality Pageant (Black Student Union)
Outstanding New Program - Risk Management BINGO (Alpha Kappa Alpha)
Outstanding Philanthropic Program - Jailathon (Sigma Sigma Sigma)
Student Organization Awards
Outstanding New Student Organization Member - Nyandra McFadden (Naturalista)
Outstanding Student Organization Leader - Quennita Lensey (Naturalista)
Student Organization on the Rise - Naturalista
Outstanding Student Organization - Black Student Union
Outstanding Student Organization Advisor - Takeyra Collins (Naturalista, Rec & Leisure Majors Club)
Greek Awards
Outstanding New Greek Member - Jessa Mae Docor (Sigma Sigma Sigma)
Outstanding Greek Leader - Anthony Bowden (Alpha Phi Alpha)
Outstanding Greek Advisor - Kim Sibson (Sigma Sigma Sigma)
Greek Community Service Award - Stephanie McDermott (Alpha Sigma Alpha)