April Stonehill Stars
Bailey Paradiso, 2016
Pilgrim Heights
Resident of the Month
Bailey Paradiso deserves to be resident of the month for April because of
her genuine, caring, and uplifting presence in the Heights. She has been
an integral part of creating a wonderful community in Benaglia. On any
given night, Bailey can be found in her common room and is quick to
welcome back any of her suite mates and the RAs on duty. She regularly
attends her RAs' programs and hall council meetings, and manages to
always bring a sense of humor (and mostly her laughter) with her. What
has been most impressive about Bailey this month is that she continues to
build community, despite her busy schedule during tennis season. One of
the greatest testaments to the impact she has had on the Heights
throughout the year is the fact that during any given tennis match, you
can expect to see anywhere from 5-15 Heights residents there to cheer
her on. Thanks for making Benaglia and the Heights a friendlier place
Bailey!
Morgan Sydlowski, 2016
Villa Theresa
Resident of the Month
On a random Thursday night in the middle of April Morgan was hanging
out in the lobby of Villa as she often does. Her RA came in and sat to chat
with her and a few other residents. All of a sudden they all heard a
banging sound from the hallway where she resides. The RA rounded the
corner of the hallway to see what the noise was and found that there was
a knocked over trashcan with the garbage from it strewn about
throughout the hallway. The RA then went back over to Morgan and the
others and told them about the trash. Before her RA could do anything
else, Morgan cleaned up all of the trash by herself. This is just a very small
example of the wonderful things that Morgan does for Villa Teresa every
day. Morgan is always in her hallway talking to anyone who walks by. She
really is a mentor and a role model for the other residents. She brings a
genuine positive energy to the building that cannot be matched. Morgan
not only spends time in our hallway attending hall council and chatting
with residents, but she is also a member of the woman’s rugby team, the
Collegiate Chorale, and several intermural sports. Morgan is going to
make a fantastic Peer Mentor for the class of 2017 if she brings all that
she does to her residence hall to the new class! Morgan is a person that
really inspires hope for the future of Stonehill and that is why she is a
Stonehill Star!
Chelsea Bishop, 2014
Notre Dame du Lac
Resident of the Month
Chelsea Bishop has been an awesome resident all year. She is almost
always in the common room when she is in her suite and constantly
involves her suite mates and the other residents of du Lac in activities to
build a stronger community in the building. Chelsea has attended the
majority of my programs this year because she enjoys getting to know
other people as well as working to build that sense of a strong community
in Notre Dame du Lac. Chelsea is very busy outside of our small
community. Chelsea is in charge of organizing the fundraising for the
Make-a-Wish foundation at Stonehill for SAC. She is also a member of
WHEN and Best Buddies, and on top of all of that she is on the Cross
Country and both Winter and Spring Track and Field teams. Chelsea, a
Psychology major and Mathematics minor still try’s her best to create a
friendly atmosphere in Notre Dame du Lac. Although she was unable to
attend my program the other night because of a prior commitment she
still came afterwards and had a long chat with both my Community
Associate and myself, displaying her efforts to help us create a stronger
community in the area. Chelsea has been an awesome resident this year
and I know that she will continue to be in her senior year.
Danielle Witter, 2015
Corr Hall
Resident of the Month
As an Elementary Education and Environmental studies student, it is no
wonder that Danielle Witter is so enthusiastic and effective in spreading the
word and educating her peers on ways to save and improve the
environment. In the recent past she has hosted programs involving various
repurposing crafts and works to raise awareness about the benefits of
recycling. Her activism is vibrant in her listserv emails, the best of which
encourage a new perspective on environmental activism through thrift
shopping. She has a knack for picking videos and current events and fads
which will encourage her community's interest in environmental
conservation. Danielle is an active community member and happily shares
her interests and experience with her peers. As an Eco-Rep, she not only
encourages her peers to help save the environment, she also eagerly
encourages others to get involved with the Eco-Reps program to continue
the work for the future. In the efforts toward sustainability here at Stonehill.
Danielle is a devoted and spirited advocate and role model for her
community.
Kelly Middleton, 2013
New Hall
Resident of the Month
Kelly Middleton is a most pleasant senior resident who has dedicated her
time and effort into various selfless causes. Her greatest impact on this
college community was through her heavy involvement in ensuring the
success of the annual Relay for Life event. Throughout the year, I have
seen her invest countless hours and long nights in preparation for the
occasion. Having had the opportunity to attend Relay for Life this year, I
was able to interact with Kelly on multiple occasions. It was clear that
though much was done before the start of the event, much was still left to
accomplish. Kelly could be found running frantically from one end of the
sports complex to the other ensuring the smooth transition from one
ceremony to the next. Specifically, Kelly had the responsibility of planning
and executing the Luminaria ceremony.
In addition to her involvement with Relay for Life, Kelly maintains
a high academic standing. She has taken on the commitment of two
majors: psychology and healthcare administration. In addition to this she
has performed well enough to be inducted to the school’s honor society
as well as the honors society for healthcare administration. She balances
her academics well with extracurricular activities such as Colleges Against
Cancer and still saves time to relax and have fun with her friends.
I have gradually gotten to know Kelly after awkwardly meeting
her at the Making Strides Walk for breast cancer. Since then, I have found
that she is a down to earth individual who is willing to take charge when
necessary but ensures that no voice is unheard. She has been a great
member of the third floor family and the Stonehill community as a whole.
For these reasons, the New Hall and Notre Dame du Lac RAs have chosen
Kelly Middleton as New Hall’s Resident of the Month.
, 2013
O’Hara Hall and O’Hara Village
Resident of the Month
The Monday following the weekend that the Nemo storm occurred,
the College announced that the shuttles were in service again after
having not been due to the storm. Kassie and Katherine's friend
Ashleigh had gone home for the weekend and took the bus back to
South Station and then the T back to Quincy Adams, thinking it was
running because no one notified the students that it wasn't. Ashleigh,
with no phone because she was unable to charge it due to power
outage, was stuck at the T station alone at night in the freezing
(literally freezing) cold. She managed to get in contact with me and tell
me that the shuttle was still not there, a half an hour after it was
supposed to have been there and already left. She had already been
waiting for an hour. Katherine Volpe told her she would call campus
police in order to see where the shuttle was and why it was not there
to pick her up. Campus police was unsure of where the shuttle was, for
they apparently were also unaware that the shuttle wasn't running.
Ashleigh called again and the shuttle, now having been over an hour
later, was still not there, and so Ashleigh was still waiting there
freezing for over an hour and a half at this point. Kassie and Katherine
didn't have cars on campus and unfortunately none of their close
friends had a car either, and those people who did have a car were
either busy, snowed in, or not at school during the storm. Kassie and
Katherine then called campus police again to tell them the shuttle still
hadn't come, and asked them to go get her because she was stuck at
the T station with no phone to call a cab and no money to pay for it
and it was getting really late. Kassie and Katherine were worried about
their friend because it was late and Ashleigh could potentially be in
danger. Unfortunately, campus police could not pick her up and had to
figure out something else to do. So Kassie and Katherine collected
money, called her a cab, and got in contact with her telling her what
cab company was coming and also got in contact with the cab
company telling them what she was wearing, since they couldn't call
her. Luckily she arrived safely back at Stonehill after having waited at
the T for over 3 hours. Campus police was thankful for Katherine and
Kassie's good deed and reimbursed them for paying for the cab.
Eve Barnett, 2016
Holy Cross Center
Resident of the Month
Eve has had a Stonehill Star Resident of the Month Award coming to her
for a long time! The Holy Cross Center is a tight knit community compared
to other halls. This year, Eve has been one of those residents that most of
the hall knows. Whether she is hanging out in the common room or
attending a program, Eve is present and involved in the Sem community.
Eve also has a very good relationship with the Sem RA staff. One of the
things we love about Eve is her daily quotes. Almost every day, Eve adds a
new quote to the white board in the Sem staff office. Many students and
RAs will admit that these quotes have lifted their spirits on numerous
occasions. From Winson Churchill to Walt Disney, there is alway an
inspirational saying on our board to put a smile on our faces. Thank you
Eve!! That is why you are a Stonehill Star.
Meg Gotsell and Kate Robertello, 2015
Boland Hall
Resident of the Month
If you live in Boland, there is no way you have not met -or heard- Meg and
Kate. Whether they are putting on a performance at Hall Council to
increase attendance or coming to every RA program they can, they have
helped increase enthusiasm and support within the building this entire
year. Not only have they helped better the Boland Community, they have
spread their reach across campus for their most recent stint as the hosts
of DiverCity. Even when they had hours upon hours of practice they still
made time to support their friends and peers. Meg and Kate are truly role
models to the Boland community and deserve to be the April Residents of
the Month! #FreeMeg!!!
Kalee Burrows, 2013
The Courts
Resident of the Month
Kalee Burrows always greets friends with a smile and a hug. She
radiates positive energy and is so enthusiastic about her various
interests on this campus. As a three-year member of the Mindful
Living community, Kalee is devoted to sustainable living and is
also a dedicated and talented four-year member of Surround
Sound. This month, Kalee starred in the play Das Barbecu and
worked so hard to make the show amazing. Kalee is a Stonehill
Star not only for her individual talents and interests, but for the
way she accepts and truly appreciates the people around her for
who they are. Kalee is such an individual that just being around
her makes you feel unique, too. Her energy is contagious and
her personality, vivid. Her presence has made Stonehill a
brighter and more inspired place!
Nate DesRosiers
Community Associate of the Month
Professor Nate DesRosiers was such an amazing CA in April that if he does
not win CA of the month, I am going to have to find another way to thank
him for all of his handwork. At a time when I was getting somewhat
stagnant in my RA/CA relationship, Professor DesRosiers reached out to
me with an idea for a program that he was incredibly passionate about
and did not want to miss out on this unique opportunity to get residents
involved. This program was a walk for MS in Easton and it was definitely
one of the best programs I have done this year. Without Professor's
DesRosiers passion, it would not have been possible. He continuously
emailed me with updates about the walk and our team, offered to
register residents for it if they didn't have time to do so themselves, and
even secured Stonehill spirit trinkets for us to use during the walk. Our
team name, upon his suggestion, was Pilgrim Heights. It was incredibly
clear to me through all his work for the program that he wanted it to be
Stonehill (and especially Heights) oriented. He really cares about my
residents, and took the time to talk to all who came. The walk was an
incredible success and everyone who came had a great time. Due to
Professor DesRosier's hard work we all received free t-shirts. We also
raised over $400 dollars as a team, none of which would've been possible
without him. Professor DesRosiers truly gave himself selflessly to see that
this walk was a success for Heights Residents, and for that reason he
deserves to be named CA of the Month.
Emily Rocha, 2014
O’Hara Hall
Resident Assistant of the Month
All year, Emily Rocha has done an outstanding job in building the
community of her hallway. Both semesters she has used a single
theme to unite her bulletin boards, doortags, hall signs, and programs,
to which her residents have been extremely receptive. Emily's
community building skills have earned her the title of "Mama Duck",
given to her by her residents, and they call themselves the "ducklings".
In the month of April, however, she has gone above and beyond her
typical abilities. In the midst of writing her thesis, alongside other
coursework, she is facing a few personal struggles, yet she is still
putting forth enormous effort into her position as an RA. She is almost
always present in the area and remains visible to all O'Hara residents
by either spending time in the staff office or in her room with the door
open. She continues to hold programs pertaining to her hallway's
theme, with this semester's theme surrounding social justice. For
example, this month she held a fair-trade chocolate tasting program,
which fulfilled our recent sustainability programming requirement and
residents and staff members thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Despite
how much work she has to complete and how much stress she is
enduring, Emily always makes time to talk with both residents and
staff members. She is consistently supportive of everybody's
endeavors outside of the RA position, highlighted by her efforts this
month to coordinate an athletic program in order to support Armand
as he plays baseball. Emily has consistently been a strong role model
all year, but her work has truly proven itself this month as she is
enduring several challenges outside of the position, yet she still keeps
O'Hara and its residents as a priority. For this reason, Emily Rocha is
the RA of the Month for April.