20 Top Seniors Honored for Academics, Service

Twenty graduating seniors who have shined inside and beyond the classroom will be honored this week as the 2021 Maryland Medallion Society, which also makes them finalists for the University of Maryland Model Citizenship Prize and the Wilson H. Elkins Award.

The Citizenship Prize goes to two students who have most nearly typified the model citizen and have contributed significantly to the general advancement of the university’s interests, while the Elkins Award honors a Terp who displayed outstanding involvement and leadership in campus activities, and who contributed significantly to the general advancement of student affairs.

"The members of the Maryland Medallion Society are exemplars of the true Terrapin spirit—they are community organizers, consensus builders, servant leaders and caregivers," said Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo. "They and so many other student leaders across campus are what make our campus, our community and this university so special." 

The Division of Student Affairs will announce the winners at noon Friday on the awards website. Other award recipients will be highlighted throughout the week.

The finalists are:

Dan Alpert, a marketing major with minors in international development, conflict management and Jewish studies. A proud member of a Terp family, he served as the student body president along with other leadership roles throughout his time on campus.

Emily Berry, a government and politics major in the B.A./M.P.P. program and a member of the University Honors program from Annapolis, Md. She became deeply involved in student leadership through student and academic affairs at UMD and hopes to attend law school to become a public defender.

Megan Berry, a pre-med student and College Park Scholar from Annapolis, Md., studying biological sciences with a minor in public leadership. She sought out mentorship roles and promoted inclusive and supportive communities through her involvement on campus. Berry aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician.

David Boutin, an electrical engineering major and member of the University Honors program in the Honors College and Hinman CEOs. He has served as president of Theta Tau, on the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers’ national board of directors, and as a Clark School ambassador, member of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation and Terps Racing.

Emily Brothman, an elementary education major with a minor in public leadership. She spent her time at UMD as a tour guide, orientation adviser, College Park Scholar and co-president of Terps Against Hunger. She looks forward to continuing her work with students as a teacher in Montgomery County this fall.

Alysa Conway, a government and politics and public policy double major from Perryville, Md. She was a member of Mortar Board, director of academic affairs for the Student Government Association, vice president for Delta Alpha Pi, member of Kappa Omega Alpha, a College Park Scholar and a Federal Fellow.

Joelle Everett, a senior information science major. She is an alumna of the Design, Cultures, and Creativity Program in the Honors College. Her undergraduate experience has been diverse, with involvement in everything from Greek life to student affairs.

Kayla Foster, a public health science major and sustainability studies minor from Bowie, Md. Kayla is involved in the MLEAD Program, Gemstone program in the Honors College, Petey Greene Program and RecWell. She plans to apply her passion for wellness and health equity to nonprofit work before pursuing her M.D. and M.P.H.

Lade Gbolade, a biological sciences major and French minor. She has been an orientation adviser, Guided Study Sessions lead mentor, member of the Student Alumni Leadership Council, and Senior Council’s vice president of social programming. She will pursue a master’s in higher education and student affairs.

Radhika Gholap, a biological sciences major with double minors in Spanish and statistics, who was part of the Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program. She has been involved with the American Medical Student Association, Banneker/Key Community Council, Omicron Delta Kappa, Honors Ambassadors, Student Government Association, Terps for Change and the Honors College Student Advisory Board.

Divya Kapoor, an information systems and operations management and business analytics double major. The three-time Student Entertainment Events director is the vice president of engagement for the Gemstone program in the Honors College, founder of UMD’s drag show and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa.

Kyeisha Laurence, a biological sciences major with a minor in French and member of the Gemstone program in the Honors College. Originally from Saint Martin, she is a first-generation college student passionate about advocating for diversity and inclusion. Following graduation, Laurence plans to spend a year conducting research at the National Institutes of Health before attending medical school.

Alexandra Marquez, a multiplatform journalism and anthropology double major and a College Park Scholar in the Media, Self and Society program. She led the TerpsVote Coalition through the 2020 presidential election as the group’s student co-chair and also served as director of civic engagement for the Student Government Association for the 2020-21 school year.

Peter Marston, a biological sciences major. Raised in the Netherlands, he was a College Park Scholar, Global Fellow, teaching assistant, research assistant and operations coordinator for Camp Kesem. Marston was also a member of RHA, the Office of Undergraduate Studies’ Dean's Student Advisory Board, the University Senate, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Student Government Association.

David Polefrone, a dual-degree student in chemistry and economics. He is a member of both the Gemstone and QUEST honors programs. Outside the classroom, he has been an active member of campus life, particularly in student government. After graduation, he will begin a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania.

Julia Reicin, a scholar-athlete on the varsity cross-country and track and field teams and in the Honors Program, double majoring in psychology and geographical sciences. Reicin serves as president of the Student Athletic Advisory Council, grew the Team IMPACT program, and is a Philip Merrill Scholar and a Truman Scholarship finalist.

David Rekhtman, a biochemistry and biological sciences double-degree student on the pre-med track and a member of the Integrated Life Science Honors College program. He has served as president of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, speaker of the legislature in the Student Government Association, an Honors ambassador and a member of the University Student Judiciary. He has also conducted research and worked as a teaching assistant.

Sydney Sharp, a dual-degree student majoring in biological sciences and African American studies. She is a Banneker/Key scholar in the Integrated Life Sciences program of the Honors College and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. She serves on the executive board of the Charles R. Drew Pre-Health Society and the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. This fall, she will attend medical school.

Julianna Solomon, a biological sciences major and member of the Gemstone program in the Honors College. She is heavily involved in campus organizations including the Jewish Student Union and the Children’s Developmental Clinic. This fall, she’ll work for City Year in supporting students at underserved schools in New York City, then will apply to medical school.

Philippos Sourvinos, a government and politics and theatre double major who was actively involved in the Orientation Office on campus for three summers. He was a member of the Honors Humanities program, Kappa Omega Alpha professional fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa and served on the College of Arts and Humanities’ Dean’s Advisory Board.