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The 2007 AAFSW/SOSA Awards Ceremony
All of the award winners at the third annual AAFSW Awards Program on December 4 elevated the program to an uplifting and inspiring event. Close to 100 AAFSW members, as well as family members and guests of the recipients, attended the program which began with traditional caroling led by AAFSW member Debbi Miller. Deputy Secretary John D. Negroponte, who presented the Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA), spoke briefly about the value of volunteer efforts and how they reflect the best of grass roots diplomacy. As each regional recipient accepted the award, they made brief remarks relaying the power of volunteer work and how the smallest steps taken in those efforts reaped valuable benefits for both giver and receiver. All their words were inspirational as they credited their families and community members who joined in their projects.
A very appreciative audience in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Department of State.
The 2007 SOSA recipients were AF Neill Krost, EAP Alison Padget, EUR Dennis Nice, and WHA Maria Regina Pontes. NEA/SCA recipient Paul Sabatine was unable to attend the ceremony because of emergency events in Dhaka but his mother Karen flew in from Oregon to graciously accept the award in his place and speak on his behalf.
Neill G. Krost receives SOSA award from Ambassador John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State. During Neil's two years in Cotonou, Benin, he devoted countless hours to the welfare of 250 children at the Abomey orphanage, located four hours from Cotonou.
Alison M. Padget receives SOSA award from the Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador John Negroponte. She served as a volunteer nutrition coordinator for the United Foundation for Chinese orphans, using her skills and expertise to improve the life of children who faced severe health issues.
Dennis E. Nice receives SOSA award for serving as the catalyst to construct a new school facility for theAmerican International School of Zagreb. He used his leadership skills to draw together a multi-cultural and multi-functional team to draw up a viable school plan.
Mrs. Karen Sabatine, mother of Paul A. Sabatine, accepts the SOSA award for her son who was obliged to remain in Dhaka. He devoted his volunteer efforts to further the education of street children and the employment of destitute women in Dhaka.
Maria Regina Barros Pontes accepts the SOSA award from the Deputy Secretary of State. In Managua, her vision and determination succeeded in encouraging the women of a rural community to create baskets from newspapers and in persuading the town mayor to create a space in the town market for the sale of those handicrafts.
The awards program continued with the presentation of the 2007 Dorman Award by Lesley Dorman. In her remarks, Lesley emphasized that the selection was made by previous recipients of the award and that the honor was based on dedication and involvement in all aspects of the organization. President Emerita Judy Felt graciously accepted the 2007 reward and relayed how AAFSW made a dramatic difference in her FS life since joining the organization in the mid-seventies.
Former AAFSW President Lesley Dorman presents the Dorman Award to President Emerita Judy Felt for devoted and effective service to the organization.
Following the Dorman Award presentation, Ambassador Daniel O’Donohue of DACOR Bacon House spoke on behalf of Irving Tragen, presenter and benefactor of the annual Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award. Ambassador O’Donohue graciously relayed personal remarks from Mr. Tragen and presented the award to 2007 recipient Lesley Dorman. Lesley spoke fondly of serving on the AAFSW Board with Ele Tragen and told the audience that she was very honored to receive the award which is jointly sponsored by DACOR, AAFSW and FLO.
Ambassador Daniel O’Donohue of DACOR Bacon House presents the Tragen Award to Lesley Dorman in honor of Eleanor Dodson Tragen.
Upon conclusion of the awards presentations, Debbi Miller graced the Ben Franklin Room with a delightful selection of songs to honor the country of each SOSA recipient. Singing in English, Croat, and Spanish, Debbi filled the room with the artistry of her beautiful voice. Following the awards program, our colleagues at DACOR Bacon hosted a delightful luncheon for all the award winners and their guests.
Debbi Miller sings a selection of five international songs each appropriate to one of the SOSA winners.
AAFSW wishes to acknowledge the efforts of so many participants in making the December Awards Program a success. Special thanks go to the FLO, DGHR/PC, and DACOR for their support of this event.
Faye Barnes, AAFSW President, addressing the audience.
Barbara Gordon, long-time AAFSW Program Chair.
Cathy Salvaterra who organized and coordinated the entire SOSA program which included managing the world-wide selection of the five SOSA winners.
Click here to read a transcript of the December 4, 2007 awards ceremony including remarks by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and several of the award winners (PDF document.)
Award winner Neill Krost was interviewed by Federal News Radio regarding his work with the Abomey Orphanage in Cotonou, Benin. Click here to listen to the interview online (scroll to the bottom of the page.)