The Lucy Guernsey Service Award is given in honor of Lucy Guernsey, the Caltech Y Executive Director from 1989-1991, in recognition of her leadership, dedication to students, and diligence in furthering the Y’s commitment to volunteerism.
The selection criteria for the award include exceptional service to the Y and the community, involvement with on- and off-campus service projects, and leadership in community and volunteer service efforts. In 2020, the awards committee selected 2 students: Alex Phillips and Iman Wahle.
Alexandra (Alex) Phillips
Alex has tutored in the Rise Program for the last 5 years and serves on the Rise Advisory Committee. Alex is also a professional photographer and has volunteered her time to photograph Rise students in the last several years. Most significantly for the Y, she founded the Rise/SAT Summer Prep Program for rising high school juniors and seniors in 2018. She initiated the idea, helped recruit students during the summer, and got the program started. In addition to her research and other activities, Alex also founded the @women.doing.science Instagram account to highlight female scientists in the field. Alex is truly an inspiration to others.
She has used her many talents and skills to make a difference through her commitment to outreach and passion for creating a more inclusive STEM environment.
Iman Wahle (BS 2020, Computer Science)
Iman Wahle tutored in the Rise program for 4 years and served on Rise Advisory Committee. Her students describe her as a patient and caring tutor and mentor. Iman also volunteered with Union Station Homeless Shelter and the adopt-a-meal program.
Leading the Union Station program is a monthly commitment, and Iman created the menu for the meal to be served, she also shopped for the food, recruited volunteers, managed the volunteers during the meal prep, and then helped serve the nearly ~60 residents of the shelter. She has been the most active Union Station leader in the 2 years she was involved. Iman was also a collaborative leader. She stood out not only because she led and volunteered herself, but because she successfully encouraged others to do the same.
Related links: https://www.caltechy.org/single-post/2019/01/28/union-station-preparing-and-serving-dinner
