(Posted April 8, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. --Denique Conner, a junior at Juniata College studying English and communications and the granddaughter of the late Brooksie Stanley of Rochester, N.Y., was named a Bonner Leader by Juniata College, to honor a commitment to perform 900 hours of community service over the next two years.

Conner is leading teen "talk-back" discussion groups in the local high school. Ten students meet regularly to discuss issues such as effective communication, time management, healthy relationships, teen pregnancy, AIDS/STDs, conflict resolution, mediation, and peer pressure. Conner assists student leaders in planning and facilitating the group meetings. This program developed as a result of the Sister-to-Sister Summit, a gathering of more than 100 female high school students, sponsored by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in the fall of 2001.

Conner also works with Juniata faculty members and administrators on diversity education activities and coordinating a schedule of events for Black History Month, as well as planning cultural programs such as the Kwanzaa Dinner.

The Bonner Leaders program is a partnership of the Bonner Foundation of Princeton, N.J.; AmeriCorps; and the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs at Juniata College. Through this new program, eight students will perform 900 hours of community service over a two-year period. Bonner Leaders serve in a non-profit agency, helping to coordinate programs and recruit volunteers, for two consecutive academic years, and have the opportunity to participate in a summer internship during their term of service.

In addition to performing direct service, the Bonner Leaders benefit from leadership training and are mentored by Juniata administrators and alumni. Depending on eligibility, most Bonner Leaders are paid through the Federal Work-Study program; and upon completion of their 900 hours of service, they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,362.50.
Conner is a 1999 graduate of the School Without Walls.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.