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Share thisDorothy Bellas ’17 Honored for Community Service Efforts in Albany
Roberts Wesleyan’s Dorothy Bellas ’17 has been recognized as one of 10 recipients of the 2017 Independent Sector Student Community Service Award and a $500 H.D. Paley Scholarship. The award honors outstanding Independent Sector Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) students for their leadership in community service throughout New York and for serving as exemplary examples of the role independent higher education plays in strengthening the state and its communities.
“For me, serving the community is a chance to show others that there is at least someone out there who cares about them in a world that would much rather only care about themselves,” she said.
Bellas is a senior music major from Albany, New York, with a GPA of 3.34. As a freshman, she joined the Student Education Association and is involved in compiling resources on respite workers for families of children with disabilities. In this role, she connects Roberts students with opportunities to both serve and further their professional development.
Her on-campus employment with Bridge to Earning Living & Learning (BELL) — helping students with disabilities complete college certificates and fit in with campus life — connected her work and volunteerism. In 2014, she started ICARE Connections with a friend to help support BELL students and connect traditional students from various disciplines across campus. The idea for ICARE was based on her high school work to start ICARE Colonie, an anti-bullying campaign that helps young people build relationships as they rally together to help communities in need.
As a music major, Bellas mentored several high school students from China during a summer International Music Camp. She spent the week helping students improve their music skills, work on their English and understand American culture.
In addition, she is a recipient of dean’s, music, matching church and Capital Region scholarships.
Bellas was honored March 6 at the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities’ Annual Meeting Reception in Albany. President Deana L. Porterfield and Director of Grant Development Lisa Tiffin were also in attendance.
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