Two students at the University of New Hampshire’s campus in Manchester earned recognition this week at the seventh annual Rising Stars Awards, a ceremony that acknowledges young professionals and college students throughout New Hampshire.
UNH Manchester students Amelia Keane and David Hutchings accepted awards at Monday night’s event, which saw an audience of around 600 people at Fieldhouse Sports in Bow.
Keane, a senior in UNH Manchester’s Biological Sciences program, received the College Student of the Year award for her outstanding commitment to community service. Keane’s passion for conservation spurred her to create UNH Manchester’s environmental club Our World, and has become a key part of her platform in her run for New Hampshire State Representative of Nashua, Ward 4.
“It is truly an honor to win such a prestigious award, and I cannot thank Kate Luczko and the Stay Work Play team enough for such an outstanding event,” Keane said. “I owe my gratitude really to UNH Manchester. I love my school and my experience there has truly been invaluable in my personal and professional development that led to receiving this award. I am excited to be part of such an impressive circle of young professionals in New Hampshire."
In addition to being a full-time student and environmental activist, Keane is also a combat medic in the U.S. Army Reserves and executive director for N.H. Young Democrats. The Nashua native said she hopes to inspire other college students to engage in meaningful work on campus to carry into your career, and life, after graduation.
"This award is not why I work so hard every day, but it is a reminder that I am on the right track and making an impact on myself and those around me,” Keane said. “I hope to continue to develop myself as a prominent leader so that I may be best-suited to help others as I go on to pursue a career in medicine."
Hutchings, a junior in the Psychology program at UNH Manchester, was presented with the first-ever ‘Shire Story of the Year award for making a video that shows why he has chosen to “stay, work, and play” in New Hampshire.
"I was inspired to share my story for a few reasons," Hutchings said. "First and foremost, I love New Hampshire for everything that it is and only hoped to share some of my enjoyment with others. Secondly, I have recently picked up the hobby of videography - a hobby that I have grown to enjoy much faster than other hobbies in my past."
In the video, Hutchings shares his love for riding motorcycles on the state’s highways and trails, and talks about the natural resources, live music scene and wealth of jobs throughout the state.
“New Hampshire is an amazing state that has so many amazing qualities and things to offer," Hutchings said. “I just can't see myself anywhere else.”
The Rising Star Awards are an initiative by Stay Work Play, a nonprofit focused on encouraging young people to pursue careers and make their homes in the Granite State.
“We are proud of the accomplishments and dedication shown by this year’s Rising Stars Awards winners,” said Kate Luczko, president & CEO of Stay Work Play. “The individuals and organizations honored this year are leaving their footprints in local communities and creating a lasting impact on the Granite State.”
Stay Work Play asserts that only about half of New Hampshire’s college graduates stay in the state. Initiatives like the Rising Stars Awards, which recognizes the young professionals who stay here and the businesses that recruit and retain them, are crucial to the organization’s mission to increase that statistic.
“If we want New Hampshire to reach its potential for future success, we need to continue to engage and invest in our young people,” Luczko said.
For Keane, success for the future means building a strong foundation of character and work ethic while in college. Her advice to fellow students is to take advantage of the opportunities to get involved with causes you care about.
"The benefit of being a college student is that there is so much of life ahead of you, so take advantage by working hard and getting involved," Keane said. "It doesn't matter the scale of what you are trying to accomplish, as long as you ensure that you make a positive impact on yourself and those around you."
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Written By:
Kassidy Taylor | Marketing & Communications, UNH Manchester | kassidy.taylor@unh.edu