Golden Key is delighted to introduce Martin Luna Juncal, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Martin attends Griffith University. “Winning this award means a lot to me, not only because of the recognition it provides about my efforts and dedication to the […]
Golden Key is overjoyed to introduce Hyelin Sung, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Hyelin has lived in Edmonton, AB, Canada, for most of her life and attends the University of Alberta. “I decided to stay here for my post-secondary education as […]
Golden Key is jubilant to introduce Amber Bormann, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Amber is from Boerne, Texas, and attends Southern Methodist University.
“This award means a lot to me,” says Amber. “It is a blessing and a huge help in allowing me to continue my education at SMU.”
Amber likes to keep busy, taking 18 credit hours each semester while engaging with the community at SMU in hopes of making a difference around her campus.
“I hold various leadership positions including Deputy of Internal Affairs and Investigations and incoming VP of External Affairs for SMU Honor Council, Lieutenant on SMU’s Mustang Mavericks, Secretary for Mustang 11, Vice President and incoming Residential Assistant of Crum Residential Commons, Programming Chair for SMU Program Council, member of Mustang Heroes, and more,” Amber reveals.
Along with Amber’s extensive involvement in campus life, she is also academically inclined and a part of many different honors programs.
“Academically, I am in the Rotunda Scholars Program, the University Honors Program, SMU Business Honors Program, and recently became a member of both the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, where I serve as President, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, where I serve as VP of Social Media in addition to Golden Key,” Amber explains.
When Amber isn’t studying or volunteering, she enjoys performing both in choirs and in shows.
“I am also in two choirs called Diva Dolce, and Meadows Chorale and SMU’s all-female a capella group, Belle Tones,” Amber describes. “I perform as a singer/songwriter at various events on campus, including The Great Crumpkin, The Pigskin Review, Crowchella, and Celebration of Lights.”
Along with Amber’s many other endeavors, she has quite a knack for writing.
“I am currently a writer for the campus online newspaper, The Daily Campus, and a writer and Staff Photographer for the Honors Literary Magazine, Hilltopics,” Amber says.
Amber considers herself a philanthropist and works hard for the social issues near and dear to her heart.
“I also organize fundraisers for Girls on the Run as a Philanthropy Chair, and I helped start an initiative connecting each residential commons with a different social issue,” Amber shares.
While Amber keeps a busy schedule, she is always looking for more opportunities to fill it with.
“I have not had the opportunity to get involved in Golden Key this past semester due to a lack of activities on my campus, but I am grateful for this scholarship, and I am looking forward to becoming more involved in the future,” says Amber.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family Amber, we wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors!
Golden Key is ecstatic to introduce Carla Ramazan, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Carla was born in Bucharest, Romania, but grew up primarily in Reno, Nevada. She graduated in May 2021 from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor […]
Golden Key is thrilled to introduce Michael Kehinde, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Michael is from Hamilton, Canada, and is a graduate of the Mechatronics Engineering and Management program at McMaster University. “I am pleased and delighted to receive the Undergraduate […]
Golden Key is delighted to introduce Hannah Via, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Hannah attends the American Public University.
“Winning this award is personal confirmation for me that hard work, dedication, and perseverance pay off,” says Hannah.
Hannah considers herself a master of many trades and pursues academic excellence with ferocity.
“During my time at my University, I have worn many different hats,” explains Hannah. “First and foremost, I have been a student dedicated to my studies, working diligently to obtain good grades and remain on the dean’s list. Second, I have been a student leader, serving in multiple different student organizations, such as Golden Key International Honor Society, the Jewish Student Association, Model United Nations, Psychology Club, Active Minds, Sociology at Work, National Society for Collegiate Scholar, as well as being an active member in other clubs such as Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, and the Political Science Scholars. Third, I have been a voice for my University’s mission, serving as an Ambassador and speaking on various panels for Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion.”
Hannah knows her success is not entirely her own and that encouragement and support from those around her have helped her along her path.
“From my professors who encouraged me to pursue my passion for social justice and psychology, to my student organization advisors who worked tirelessly with me to help me become the best leader I could be, to the Office of Student Affairs being there to answer all my questions, this award is just as much as a testament to how much my University has done for me to my own success,” Hannah declares.
Hannah is currently serving as the Vice President of the Golden Key Chapter at the American Public University.
“Being a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, I can personally speak to how beneficial joining honor societies can be,” Hannah recounts. “I found a group of people dedicated to leadership and academic success, a group that cares about its member. From professional development to advice on graduate schools, my chapter of Golden Key became my virtual home.”
Hannah is thankful for being a member of Golden Key and getting the opportunity to share her experiences with new Golden Key members.
“I am beyond honored to be one of the recipients of the 2020 Golden Key Undergraduate Achievement Award and would like to thank Golden Key for this amazing recognition,” Hannah says.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family Hannah, we wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of social justice and psychology!
Golden Key is pleased to introduce Tushar Sood, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Tushar is originally from Brampton, Ontario, Canada and is studying Honours Integrated Science with a Concentration in Biology and Interdisciplinary Minor in Community Engagement at McMaster University. “Being […]
Golden Key is proud to introduce Raphael Anastassios Kirou, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Undergraduate Achievement Award winners. Raphael was born and raised in Astoria, New York by parents who immigrated from northern Greece. Raphael graduated summa cum laude in December 2020 with his Bachelor […]
In life, we meet many people along the way, and they all play an essential role in our future. Someone who believes in the importance of meeting new people is Golden Key member Phenyo Mabokela.
“I’m really passionate about helping others because I feel all of the opportunities I have been fortunate to receive have come to me because of the help of other people, who invested their time in me,” says Phenyo. “I feel that it’s my responsibility to give back to others in every way that I can.”
Phenyo gives back to others through the business he founded in 2017, Bespoke Innovations (Pty) Ltd., a corporate branding business. He noticed that South Africa didn’t have a large industry for marketing and felt that it would be a good industry for him to be innovative and become a player in.
Phenyo has been a member of Golden Key since 2017 and currently serves as the Director of Community Services for the Golden Key Alumni Committee of Golden Key Southern Africa. Phenyo previously served as the Public Relations Director of the Golden Key Wits Chapter from 2017 to 2018.
“I’m grateful to Golden Key, to every Golden Key individual that I’ve met and those that I have not met because I feel that it is one of the things that has helped me, and it has also contributed a lot to open doors,” expresses Pheyno. “Golden Key puts you a step forward when you are doing applications for different things whether at institutions or programs as well. I want to express my gratitude not only to the organization, but to everyone who’s part of this, because that’s what makes Golden Key, Golden Key.”
In July, Phenyo will graduate with his Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Marketing, Management Accounting and Finance from the University of Witwatersrand. He recently applied for a business school in Madrid, where he intends to pursue his Master’s in Business and Innovation.
“This is a big step because it would be the first time that I am leaving the country,” Phenyo says. “It does mean I might not be able to be with my parents or my identical twin or my brother, but at the same time, I feel that it is a perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons for my career.”
Phenyo looks for opportunities amongst everything he does and encourages others to do the same.
“If I were to advise my younger self, I would tell him to believe that everything happens for a reason and nothing is a mistake,” said Phenyo. “I’m only 23, but in the short life that I’ve lived, I’ve seen that in most instances that I thought were setbacks were actually positioning for bigger opportunities. And most of the time, I beat myself up for it, and over time I learned that different challenges that come, the different setbacks, there is usually opportunity behind it.”
College is a big decision, but it can be one of the best decisions in many people’s lives. One person who made the decision to go back to college is Golden Key member Jhana Chambers. “The opportunity to go back to school was a unique […]
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