Monericka Semeran, a Breakthrough student and a senior at Manchester High School Central, has won the inaugural Brodsky Prize. This $5,000 cash award recognizes journalistic excellence and "out-of-the-box efforts and innovation".
Monericka moved to the US from Haiti at the age of 8, without speaking any English. She was a dedicated student of the Breakthrough program in which she excelled both academically and personally. Monericka returned as a Summer Program Assistant and a School Year Teacher for the program.
Serving as co-editor-in-chief of Central's school newspaper, she has written editorials and commentary.
“Through working for the paper, I have developed principles, learned what it truly means to give your all to something, and I have been lucky enough to witness the fruits of my labor every month when we publish an issue.”
She will be attending Vassar College in the Fall where she will study international relations and write for the college newspaper. We are so proud of Monericka!