Thanks to your donations, the Straus Historical Society is pleased to announce that Rachel Joy Boakye, Ania Ruiz Borys, Amy P. Lyons, and Richard Stecker have been selected to each receive a $5,000 Straus Scholarship. The Straus Historical Society Scholarship Program was created with the goal of supporting the continuing education of a graduate student whose professional goal is in the field of public service.
Rachel Joy Boakye
Rachel Joy Boakye is a graduate student at American University School of International Service where she is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Global Governance, Politics and Security. Upon completing her degree, she hopes to become a diplomat-lawyer with the United Nations or United States Department of State. Rachel has always been passionate about solving the migration crisis and helping refugees from around the globe. She plans to start a nonprofit in Washington D.C. called International Freedom Relief. The organization’s goal will be to help refugees and migrants whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict or disaster that has caused them to be displaced. Her dream is to use a career in public service to positively impact the lives of those who need help the most.
"Public service is more than a goal to me; it is a way for me to be the voice for the voiceless and use the power of my voice to create a change that will last forever." - Rachel Joy Boakye
Ania Ruiz Borys
Ania Ruiz Borys is a graduate student at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University where she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. She is also pursuing a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is concentrating on Human Security, International Conflict Resolution, Gender Analysis and Food Systems. Ania, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico, is particularly interested in working to change how food is used to educate people about culture, economics, gender, biology, politics, love and more. She aspires to join the world of public service where she can create innovative solutions.
"I foresee a future where food brings communities together, bridges gaps, and empowers all of us to think sustainably about our place in this world." - Ania Ruiz Borys
Amy P. Lyons
Amy P. Lyons is a graduate student at American University School of International Service and American University Washington College of Law where she is pursuing both a degree in Law and a Master of Arts in International Studies. She is specializing her studies on peace and conflict resolution, and international law with a concentration towards atrocity prevention and humanitarian rights. Amy, whose early childhood was spent in Malaysia, did not learn English until she moved to Maine with her family when she was a child. She experienced culture shock, which severely affected her education and self-esteem. Amy would like to create a program for language learners and immigrants that would help Asian immigrants adjust to their new life in the United States. Although she may start with the Asian community, she dreams of expanding her work to serve many other underserved and underrepresented communities.
"I have never been one to say no to something that I know will ultimately help so many people, and I am certainly up for that challenge." - Amy P. Lyons
Richard Stecker
Richard Stecker is a graduate student at American University where he is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in United States Foreign Policy and National Security. He plans to join the FBI or the Foreign Service to represent the United States abroad. He would like to protect the United States from foreign or domestic threats, while also maintaining an unwavering sense of integrity and historical knowledge of incidents. In this manner he would be able to make a positive contribution to the public good. Richard has a desire to do his best possible work on behalf of the nation. To do so would be a recognition that he is a part of something much greater than one individual.
"A life’s work is meaningless and not worth living if it is not pursued with integrity and with the utmost intent to better the world around them." - Richard Stecker
The scholarship committee and the judges are pleased to announce John Farah and Sam Cheuk-Hin Hau as Honorary Straus Scholars for 2022.