ITHACA, N.Y. -- Three Cornell University students were honored recently for their community-service efforts.

The Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Awards were presented on Friday, April 25, to sophomore Jamila Cutliff, junior Hilary Himes and senior Debbie Warren. The award was established by alumni Gerald Robinson '54 and Margot Robinson '55, and Robert Appel '53 and Helen Appel '55. It was created to recognize and honor students who have had significant involvement in community service by providing support for their projects which address a community's social needs or problems. Three students are selected, and each receives $1,500 to further a community-service project that he or she has initiated and proposed.

Jamila Cutliff '99, College of Engineering -- Cutliff developed the EYES Program (Encourage Youth Educate Society) to foster the desire for knowledge and encourage underprivileged youth to pursue an interest in science and engineering. It provides interactive and hands-on educational science and engineering projects to youth in the Ithaca community at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC). The program consists of students from all engineering disciplines working side by side with K-12 students. The program also sponsors an annual Engineering Youth Conference for upstate New York, which includes speakers, information sessions (financial aid, applying to college, internships, etc.), wellness seminars and parent programs. Through the program, Cutliff hopes youth also will build self-esteem, enhance creativity, feel supported and learn about leadership.

Hilary Himes '98, College of Arts and Sciences -- With two other students, Himes instituted the Coping and Loss Management Group (CALM), a training and intervention program in the areas of death, bereavement and complicated mourning. The program initially will take place at the Lansing Residential Center, where 30 of the 100 adolescent female residents have suffered loss. The program consists of staff training, a therapy group for the residents and a reference library.

Debbie Warren '97, College of Arts and Sciences -- With Mindy Hernandez (who graduated in January of this year), Warren created Balance, an organization in which undergraduate men and women go into elementary school classrooms and after-school programs to work with children on an individual basis, exploring respect, fairness and equality as they relate to gender. Because gender bias limits both boys and girls, the program goal is to intervene at an early age and raise awareness. Himes hopes to combat gender stereotyping by letting boys and girls both know they have a range of future choices; explore traditional roles assigned to men and women; and discuss equal and respectful interaction. Cornell students work with teachers in the community to create long-term strategies to address their unique needs and concerns.

For more information on the Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Awards, contact the Public Service Center at 255-1148.