Julia Sendor Wins Udall Scholarship for Environmental Studies

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The Morris K. Udall Foundation recently announced the award of a $5,000 scholarship to Williams College junior Julia Sendor for "her dedicated commitment to impacting environmental research and public policy on a national and international scale." She was one of 80 students nationwide to win the award. Sendor, a native of Chapel Hill, N.C., has always been a nature lover, choosing to attend Williams College, located in Williamstown, Mass., in part, "because of the snowy mountains and maple syrup." Her experiences working with the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation during the summer of 2005 really cultivated this love into a passion for environmental studies. "As I learned not only about plants and animals, but also the history, politics, and people of the northern Berkshire environment of Williamstown, I realized how rich and all-encompassing 'environmental studies' is – and how all the interconnections between people and land could keep me fascinated for a lifetime of studying," Sendor said. In 2005, the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies awarded her a fellowship to study local food systems in her home community by investigating and working with a local organic farm, a grocery cooperative, and a farmers' market. On campus, she is secretary of the Outing Club and an active member of the Campus Environmental Advisory Committee, Students for Social Justice, and the gospel choir. Sendor intends to pursue a career in environmental studies after her graduation in 2008, hoping to combine her interest in sustainable agriculture, land rights, and writing on a local and global level. The Udall Foundation also awarded an honorable mention to the late Katherine Craig '08. Craig, of Cumberland, Maine, was an active member of the environmental studies community and a varsity Nordic skier.
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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School  in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.
 
"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."
 
Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.
 
"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."
 
Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.
 
"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."
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