Along with one other student, Mariel Delacruz won the Charles A. Mastronardi Service and Leadership Award on Tuesday during Cabrini Day.
Delacruz is a junior and has served communities every year while attending Cabrini. To her, serving is first nature.
“There were no steps taken by me, at least not consciously,” Delacruz said. “I just did what I love to do and that is being involved with communities in need and having that option to help others in whatever I can help with.”
After the awards were given, there was a keynote session. The main message of the session was service beyond one’s self. Delacruz has displayed numerous counts of service not only in the United States, but also in Ecuador and Guatemala.
“As mentioned in the keynote speaker presentation, it is all about service beyond oneself. As long as I continue to live, I would always be myself and I have always done that,” Delacruz said. “I grew up around my mother who also did a lot of community-based work. Helping communities has always been within me.”
For Delacruz, it does not stop there. As she has done throughout her life, she plans on continuing her service to better communities in the area.
Delacruz is very passionate about serving those around her and stresses the importance of the rest of the community to do the same.
“This is something I will continue to participate in in future years,” Delacruz said.
@patrickwhalen12
