Humanities Division Awards
Frank Palko Humanitarian Award
2021 Award Recipient
Sunny Martinez
My journey at Fullerton College was definitely not an easy one, but I would not have had it any other way. I am truly grateful for the support and guidance from my instructors and peers. I want to thank both Deidre Hughes and Angela Henderson for thinking of me for this nomination, it is truly an honor.
– Sunny Martinez
We are pleased to honor Sonia “Sunny” Martinez with the Frank Palko Humanitarian Award. As a student and embedded tutor, Sunny demonstrated perseverance, commitment, and resilience enhanced by a compassionate and caring response to self and others. Early on, Sunny set herself apart by her work ethic, class contributions, and academic achievement. Shortly thereafter, she established herself as a consistently stellar tutor working with English and mindfulness students. With this award, we also recognize Sunny’s generous contributions as a leader within the English and mindfulness programs, the Humanities Division, and Hornets Tutoring.
– Professors Angela Henderson & Deidre Hughes
Doug and Ann Myles Family Osher Scholarship for Humanities
2021 Award Recipient
Diana Butler
As an aspiring psychologist, I am grateful for the recognition in a trying time and a glimpse of hope for the future.
– Diana Butler
Diana is a high performing 1st year student. During our semester Public Speaking, Diana was vibrant, engaged, and a strong critical thinker. She is what we hope for in any bright Humanities student, a direct and intelligent young woman who is both inquisitive and opinionated about the world. Diana’s questions during class pushed me to think about my own work. Diana Butler made the classroom a better space to be in for both myself and her peers. This award is a testament to her hard work, engagement, and grit in these toughest of education times.
– Professor Toni Nielson
Osher General Scholarship for Humanities
2021 Award Recipient
Victoria Mensah
“The heights by great (wo)men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”
-Henry Longfellow
This quote sums my educational journey and the hard work I put in daily. I am truly grateful for this esteemed award.
Respectfully,
Victoria Mensah
Victoria’s curiosity and dedication to learning are inspirational. While holding a full-time job as a care giver Victoria maintained the highest possible standards in my intermediate French class and contributed to our Zoom sessions thoughtfully and with a lively spirit. Her resilience combined with her caring personality make her a well-deserving recipient of the Osher General for Humanities award. The Humanities Division is proud to honor Victoria for her remarkable achievement.
-Professor Catherine Reinhardt-Zacaïr