Holy Cross Sophomore to be Honored for Outstanding Community Service in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. – Iris Sanxhaku, a member of the College of the Holy Cross class of 2012, will receive the Rising Star service award on Wednesday, April 28 for her outstanding contribution to community service in the Worcester community.  The ceremony will take place at the Massachusetts State House in Senator Harriette L. Chandler’s office.  Senator Chandler (D-Worcester) and Melanie Demarais, president of the Worcester League of Women Voters, will present the award.  All honorees will receive a plaque, a Senate Citation, a cash prize, a complimentary membership in the League of Women Voters and a guest appearance on the cable show, “Beacon Hill Chat,” hosted by Senator Chandler.

At Holy Cross, Sanxhaku is the site director for the Let’s Get Ready (LGR) program.  LGR helps students prepare for college; it offers free SAT and college prep courses for Worcester students.  She is also the co-founder of the Coalition for Educated Options (CEO); a non-partisan organization that is dedicated to civil empowerment in Worcester.  As a founder of CEO, Sanxhaku created candidate questionnaires to encourage residents of Worcester to become more involved with their community.  She worked to make Broad Meadow Brook Park more handicap accessible and served as the president of the Community Services Learning Council.  She has also worked with the Worcester County Food Bank and the Central Mass Housing Alliance.  This summer she is traveling to El Salvador with a group of Holy Cross students for an immersion program.

Originally from Korca, Albania, she immigrated to the U.S. when she was six years-old. She grew up and currently resides in Worcester.   A political science major with a concentration in peace and conflict studies, Sanxhaku says she is honored to be recognized for doing what she is most passionate about.

The League of Women Voters of the Worcester Area will be presenting the Rising Star Awards during the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts’ “Day on the Hill” when members of Leagues from all over the state gather at the State House to lobby for action on positions developed by League members.  The Massachusetts League of Women Voters is the premiere non-partisan, grassroots organization in the State of Massachusetts committed to influencing public policy through education and advocacy.

For ninety years the League has been a leader in working to ensure that citizens have a free role in making democracy work.