Balousek Awarded Human Rights Scholarship

GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Inaudy Esposito have announced that Monroe-Woodbury senior Phoebe Balousek is the recipient of the 2017 Human Rights Scholarship award.

“Phoebe is a role-model for other students and we are all proud to present her with this scholarship,” Neuhaus said. “She represents everything that the Human Rights Commission stands for and we are pleased to recognize Phoebe. She is a caring, civic-minded young woman and I wish her good luck and much success in her future endeavors.”

To qualify for the $1,000 scholarship, students must demonstrate respect and understanding of all racial, religious and ethnic groups. They are also required to initiate and/or participate in programs(s) that foster human rights awareness in their school or residential community.

Balousek is a member of the Black History Celebration Committee at Monroe-Woodbury and helped put together an assembly to celebrate diversity and culture during Black History Month in February. She will attend SUNY New Paltz in the fall and major in Psychology.

Scholarship winners must be a high school senior or eligible for graduation in the 2017 calendar year and be considering a post-secondary education. The eligible applicant must also reside in Orange County at the time of the nomination. The Orange County Human Rights Commission has been presenting the scholarship since 2006. It is funded through proceeds from the Commission’s annual dinner held each April.

“Although there were many outstanding applications and recommendations, it was clear from her application and recommendation letters, that Phoebe embodies what the Human Rights Commission stands for,” Esposito said. “Phoebe has been a catalyst for social change and an instrumental voice for her peers at Monroe-Woodbury.”

Added Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Fred Cook: “The Human Rights Commission selected Phoebe as this year’s recipient because of the hopeful energy she brings to her school and her community. She believes in equality and is using her voice and drive to ensure that conversations about racism and unity are taking place in her school.”