[Archived] Alexandria Human Rights Commission Honors Local Students with 2005 Student Human Rights Awards

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	July 12, 2005 PIO# 229-05/rdo	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria Human Rights Commission Honors
Local Students with 2005 Student Human Rights Awards

The Alexandria Human Rights Commission is honoring Jodie Rubenstein of T. C. Williams High School, Jasmine Homayoon Lister of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, and four students in the Introduction to Special Education program at T. C. Williams as winners of the 2005 Student Human Rights Awards. The awards recognize students who have contributed significantly toward improving basic human rights and fairness for all in the City. Each winner will receive a commemorative plaque from the commission and a $300 award that was provided by the William D. Euille Foundation.

High school juniors and seniors, and first-year college students from various local schools and the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College applied for the awards. Students were required to submit an essay and supportive nomination showcasing their or their group’s contributions toward promoting equality, respect, and understanding for all persons, regardless of race, color, culture, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Jodie Rubenstein, a recent T. C. Williams High School graduate, was recognized for her role as a facilitator at the Alexandria Student Connection Forum on Race and Culture. Jasmine Homayoon Lister received the honor for implementing a tsunami relief project at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School. Lindsay McCrea, Rebecca Glasberg, Paige Cantfil, and Sana Waheed of the Introduction to Special Education program at T. C. Williams were honored for their commitment to and rapport with their pre-school buddies with special needs.

City Council created the Human Rights Commission in 1975 to advise Council members on matters related to human rights affecting the City and to oversee the Office of Human Rights. The Office of Human Rights enforces the Alexandria Human Rights Ordinance, which precludes discrimination based on age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, familial status, or disability.

For more information on the Student Human Rights Awards, call Jean Niebauer of the City’s Office on Human Rights, at 703.838.6390; or Jenny Wade of the Human Rights Commission at 703.549.3352.

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