Annual Luncheon Recognized Student Interns And Their Contributions To Community

Select Elmira College student interns and their supervisors were honored recently for their contributions to active learning and community engagement during the annual Stand Energy Prize Luncheon.

During the event, organizers announced that Holley Riva '23 is this year's recipient of the Stand Energy Prize. Established by Stand Energy Corporation, the Prize recognizes an Elmira College student who, while performing an internship with a regional business or community organization, has demonstrated outstanding leadership, initiative, creativity, and responsibility.

"I was honored even to be considered, let alone win,” said Riva. “Thank you so much for this opportunity."

Riva is an Education major from Lakeville, Connecticut. She interned at the Kildonan Camp Dunnabeck, which caters to children with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. She was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Kathleen Stewart, Director of the Kildonan Teacher Training Institute.

Although unable to attend the luncheon, Stewart sent the following accolades of Holley’s performance.

“Holley participated in an intensive 70-hour Orton-Gillingham training and then put her training to use at the Camp. The training was intense and comprehensive. Holley successfully applied what she learned in working with her students. She was supported by multiple visits and observations to help her develop her guided error correction. She responded well to feedback aimed at helping her apply diagnostic testing results to her teaching. Holley did a beautiful job. She has fine instincts for instruction, making abstract concepts concrete for her students in a multi-sensory manner. She is utterly charming, kind, and empathetic. Campers, staff, and faculty all loved her.”

"It was the goal of Stand Energy Corporation and myself many years ago to establish a program whereby students attending Elmira College would be recognized not only for their own personal achievement and success but for their ability to improve and give back to the local community of which they belong and have grown within," said Larry Freeman, Executive Vice President, Stand Energy Corporation.

"It is usually a difficult decision, however, this year was particularly challenging,” said Judy Phillips, Business Relations Committee Chair for EC’s President's Council. “The nominated student interns are all amazing and we were so impressed by their hard work and dedication."

Students And Supervisors Recognized at the Event:

• Emma Clegg ’23 and Bill Kelly, Elmira College Women’s Soccer Coach, Intern Supervisor, and Mentor. Clegg interned with the Elmira College Women’s Soccer Team.
• Jadde Didonato-White ’23 and Scott McGuire, Elmira College Professor and Mentor. Didonato-White interned with Totem Pole Playhouse.
• Ryan Mattes ’23 and Zachary Pugh, President of Pugh Self-Protection & Combatives. Mattes interned with Pugh Self-Protection & Combatives.
• Holley Riva ’23 and Stephanie Johnson, Elmira College Professor and Mentor. Riva interned with Kildonan’s Camp Dunnabeck.
• Spencer Whittle ’23 and Christopher Chambers, Soteryx. Whittle interned with Soteryx.

The Stand Energy Corporation, the supplier of natural gas to Elmira College for many years, in partnership with the College and the President's Council, established the Stand Energy Prize to honor Elmira College students. Students are nominated by their supervisor, for working productively and independently while maintaining a team attitude, applying academic preparation in a real-world business environment, demonstrating high ethical standards, demonstrating creative problem-solving skills, producing quality work, and focusing on the long-term success of themselves and the company.