Gebru Award

Overview

Founded in 2016, the Samuel M. Gebru Leadership Award recognizes a graduating senior at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) for their demonstrated record of leadership, commitment to civic engagement and social justice, and an extraordinary passion for public service.

The Award, named after and funded by CRLS Class of 2009 alumnus Samuel M. Gebru, aims to help validate the importance of students and youth as leaders in their school, city, and beyond. CRLS has a rich tradition of student leadership and counts many public officials, activists, thought leaders, and influencers worldwide among its alumni. The Award aims to contribute to the growth and promotion of this important culture of leadership, social justice, public service, and civic engagement at and beyond CRLS.

As of 2018, the Award provides $1,000 each to two graduating seniors. The funds are to be used in any way the recipient intends.

Recipients

Scroll down to read more about each recipient.

1. Benjamin W. Austin, Class of 2016
2. Wenderly Daudier, Class of 2018
3. Bilien Woldeyonas, Class of 2018

Eligibility

Applicants must be a graduating senior of CRLS, including the High School Extension Program and Rindge School of Technical Arts. The primary factor for consideration is that applicants must have a demonstrated record of leadership and extraordinary commitment to civic engagement, social justice and public service. There are no grade point average or college acceptance requirements. Preference is given to applicants who intend to spend their time after CRLS in service to others.

Application

Below are the application steps. Please follow them carefully and email award@smgebru.com if you have any questions.

1. Complete the standard CRLS scholarship application.
2. Two letters of recommendation, one from an adult (i.e. teacher, mentor, employer, religious official, etc.) and the second from a classmate to be sent to award@smgebru.com in PDF (document name format: ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName_LOR_RecommenderLastName.pdf).
3. Personal statement on any topic no more than one page to be sent to award@smgebru.com in PDF (document name format: ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName_Statement.pdf).

The Award decision will be made by May 1 of each year. The Award will be presented at the annual CRLS Scholarship Night (talk to your guidance counselor or check your academic calendar for the exact date).

Support

You can support the Samuel M. Gebru Leadership Award with a tax-deductible donation made through the Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contact award@smgebru.com for details.

Contact

All inquiries can be forwarded to award@smgebru.com.

Benjamin w. austin, class of 2016

Benjamin W. Austin was the first recipient of the Samuel M. Gebru Leadership Award. He is a highly motivated and respected student-athlete-leader. He wrote a captivating personal statement for the Award on the increasing lack of civility in politics. Ben began his statement arguing that at his school and beyond there is often a "surplus of passion and conviction, and a deficit of respect for diverse opinions."

Committed to the belief that everyone's opinion matters, Ben founded his high school's chapter of the Junior State of America as a sophomore. He has helped foster a higher level of civic discourse at CRLS. Through this work, Ben and his classmates participated in conferences to have well-informed debates with other politically-minded students.

Ben's civic experience includes having been elected by his peers to be one of two non-voting student representatives to the Cambridge School Committee, the 7-member elected body that has full policy and budgetary control of the Cambridge Public Schools District. In this role, Ben participated in meetings of the School Committee and served as a constant advocate for his peers.

His involvement includes Student Government, Model United Nations, theater, athletics (golf, baseball, and water polo), and having worked on a Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign in the November 2014 election.

Ben's interest in the U.S. Constitution led him to play an important role in the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project. He represented CRLS in the regional Moot Court Competition and in the semi-finals in Washington, D.C. where he delivered oral arguments at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Ben has challenged student and faculty thinking at CRLS and furthered their understanding of and appreciation for the Constitution and the public policy process.

Ben was one of 80 students awarded the 2016 City of Cambridge Scholarship. He is also one of 22 "Super Seniors" at CRLS, recognized for their commitment to the school's motto of "Opportunity, Diversity, Respect" and academic merit. He will attend Harvard University in the fall and intends to pursue a career in service of others through law and government.

Wenderly Daudier, class of 2018

Coming soon!

Bilien Woldeyonas, class of 2018

Coming soon!