Junior Nina Mayra honored for volunteer service
May 14, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's football team and WMU student Nina Mayra of Troy, Mich., were among the 10 individuals and groups recognized for their outstanding community service at the 2003 STAR Awards breakfast April 30 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.
Mayra received the 2003 College Volunteer award, and the Bronco football team was selected as the year's top College Volunteer Group. The annual STAR Awards are presented by the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Gazette. Now in its 16th year, STAR--Sharing Time and Resources--honors volunteer community service.
Mayra was recognized for her work with United Campus Ministry and as a volunteer with Kalamazoo County's Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children program. Mayra gave about 400 hours of her time to United Campus Ministries in 2002, including volunteer service in soup kitchens and building shelters in several parts of the United States and Mexico.
Her volunteer service with Court Appointed Special Advocates began last fall, and Mayra, who plans to study law following graduation from WMU, says she finds the work particularly interesting.
"We spend time with children, listen to them, and then it's our job to represent the children's interests in court," says Mayra.
A political science major, with emphasis in public law, Mayra expects to graduate in April 2004. She is the daughter of Mike and Lisa Mayra of Troy.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu