Manilyn Gumapas is recognized with freshman leadership award

Manilyn Gumapas ’18, daughter of Emmanuel and Erlyn Gumapas of Elgin, was awarded the Mark A. Reid First-Year Leadership Award during Honors Day in May at North Central College.

Manilyn is majoring in sociology: community studies at North Central College. She is a graduate of Central High School.

The award is named in honor of a former student who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1984 during his term in office as president of the North Central College Student Association. This award is presented to one freshman who demonstrates outstanding leadership ability, serves prominently as a positive influence in student affairs, encourages the active involvement of others in the life of the College community, and exemplifies the qualities of good citizenship associated with Mark Reid.

A College Scholar, Manilyn immersed herself in academic and cocurricular opportunities on campus, including iLead, a leadership development program for first-year students, and attended a Student Diversity Leadership Conference. Interested in issues related to diversity and multiculturalism, she spent spring break on a Sankofa Verandah trip to historic locations of the civil rights movement. She also launched a new student organization called Mosaic that’s focused on multicultural issues.

Manilyn has been selected to serve as an Orientation Leader and Multicultural Student Ambassador her sophomore year.