Health and Wellness Promotion

Home / BTW: Bridge to Wellness Peer Educators / BTW Peer Education Awards

BTW Peer Education Awards

Recognizing excellence in peer education.

Fellowship Award

The Fellowship Award is designed to honor a BTW member who inspires others through relationship building and connections. The honoree is dedicated to BTW, and pays particular attention to fostering a sense of community and promoting engaged membership within the group.

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award is intended to recognize a BTW member who has truly left their mark on the group, the Health & Wellness Promotion department, and at Brandeis. This honoree produces work and leads initiatives that will benefit students long after they leave campus.

Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes a BTW peer who has positively influenced the organization “behind-the-scenes” with a welcoming presence, a willingness to help in any capacity, and a strong work ethic.

"Peer of the Year" Award

The Peer Of the Year Award is one of our most prestigious awards. The winner of this award lives the mission of peer education at Brandeis University. The BTW Peer of the Year is a leader dedicated to making our campus healthy and well. The winner of this award also goes above and beyond job expectations and inspires other BTW members, student leaders, and staff to engage in health and wellness initiatives.

"Peer of the Year" Peer Choice Award

The Peer Of the Year Award, Peer Choice is another one of our most prestigious awards. The winner of this award, selected by their peers, is dedicated to the mission of the Health & Wellness Promotion department and committed to the vision of BTW. The winner of this award also goes above and beyond job expectations and inspires other BTW members, student leaders, and staff to engage in health and wellness initiatives.

Award Recipients

Expand All

2022

Fellowship Award - Nathalie Vieux-Gresham ’23

Nathalie has truly gifted us with a positive spirit. She has welcomed us into her world and invited us to partake in it. For meetings she offers to buy boba, she invites BTW members to events with her friends, and always makes it a point to let someone know when they are doing well.

“I've never forgotten how open and friendly she was with me from literally day one. I remember on the first day of training walking into training and feeling super awkward since I didn't know a single other person in the room, and she was super active in making me feel comfortable, cracking jokes, asking about my major, and more to really get to know me. I've always really appreciated her talent for making people feel comfortable and welcome in a sometimes unfamiliar space.”

Legacy Award - Denezia Fahie ’22

Denezia is the foundation of BTW and is one of the key figures in BTW's history. As a graduating senior who has helped build BTW from the group up, the organization would be entirely different than what it is today without her. Her creativity, innovative thinking, and constructive and progressive ideas alongside her friendly approach towards everyone is the foundation of BTW that will hold for as long as BTW exists.

“I could write an entire essay about why Denezia has earned the Legacy Award. But I think it is simply best to say, I have modeled my own involvement aspirations within the BTW group after Denezia's lead. And I have seen other people do the same.”

“Honestly, you cannot spell 'legacy' without 'Denezia.'”

Unsung Hero Award - Camila Casanueva ’22

Camila is the definition of a team player. Despite balancing academics, basketball, BTW and more, Camila always put her best foot forward and ensured her other commitments never took away from BTW. When Camila ever had free time from her basketball season, she was working on BTW things. Camila has been described as our most consistent member, showing up week after week any way she could.

“From helping come up with ideas for events or campaigns to always volunteering to be present at events, Camila is always ready to put in 110% into everything she does as a peer health educator. Moreover, Camila always enjoys engaging with us, and never fails to put a smile on our faces :) Camila's is everyone's hero.”

"Peer of the Year" Award - Catherine Romero ’22

Cat is one of the most hard working members of our team. Cat has led many initiatives and has coordinated many successful events this year, especially with the Intercultural Center. Her work organizing all these health and wellness events for students of color has been amazing. Her work ethic and contribution to the development of ideas is unparalleled. Cat goes out of her way to plan group bonding events while fostering a close knit group dynamic. Cat has done so much behind the scenes and has just been a great force for BTW.

“Cat is the group member I’d go to if I ever needed someone to talk to. She is sweet, open, and always welcoming.”

"Peer of the Year" Peer Choice Award - Isabella Doulas ’24

Bella has been an inspirational member of the team. From the beginning, Bella kickstarted her BTW journey with an unparalleled level of initiative and involvement, and she stood out immediately as a leader. Bella has shown great investment in the well-being of our campus through showing up and showing out for events and also doing behind the scenes work such as making flyers and posts to inform the community. She is always willing to help when people need it and is often the one to volunteer when asked. Bella routinely goes above and beyond in her role as a BTW peer health educator to ensure that she does her best for the team and the Brandeis community.

“It's her first year, but honestly it feels like she has been a part of BTW for a long time with the finesse with which she handles things. She has a great talent for creativity and social media posts, and I greatly admire the excitement and dedication she brings into the group.”

2021

Fellowship Award - Danielle Wright ’21

Danielle is known for being kind and inclusive, and for helping new members feel connected to BTW. She is consistently reaching out and demonstrating love and care in her interactions. She is an active listener who is sensitive to others' needs and capacity. Danielle puts in a lot of effort to make BTW meetings fun and engaging. She is one of the main reasons why the group feels like more than just a workspace.

Legacy Award - Ysabel Munoz ’21

As a graduating senior and an original member of BTW, Ysabel is known her unmatchable work ethic and has shown dedication far beyond what the job requires. As one of the pioneers of BTW, she brought a vision to the table and has been here to see it through. Her work has shaped the group's values; it would not be the way it is without her time, effort, and energy.

Unsung Hero Award - Catherine Romero ’22

Despite contributing remotely this year, Catherine is heavily involved behind the scenes in making so many BTW endeavors work. She is reliable and always willing and available to help. In the face of challenges, she demonstrated agility, perseverance, calm, and finesse. Catherine has continuously encouraged each and every BTW member to do their best.

"Peer of the Year" Award - Denezia Fahie ’22

Denezia's dedication and vision surrounding health and wellness promotion has created spaces and initiatives that exceeded expectations as to what could be achieved during COVID-19. She goes above and beyond to provide support and foster community for both the Brandeis community and the BTW team. Denezia has always been involved in making sure BTW is a tight-knit team. She is a capable, excellent resource and friend to all.

"Peer of the Year" Peer Choice Award - Nathalie Vieux-Gresham ’23

Nathalie's work ethic, creativity regarding programs and presentations, and general attitude and optimism makes her a role model and strong influencer on the BTW team. Nathalie's commitment to and excitement for BTW has radiated through when the group was feeling frustrated or overwhelmed with school and life. She brings her whole self to any task - whether it be developing Tik Toks, public speaking, social media, andor sharing knowledge. Nathalie uses and develops her skills in order to connect people to the right support and larger community. Nathalie is the embodiment of BTW's mission!

2020

Fellowship Award - Jack Rubinstein ’20

Jack is known for his kindness, sense of humor, and passion for improving student health and equity at Brandeis. He brings energy and laughter to the group, always making sure that members feel welcomed and included. As one member wrote: “Every room is brighter when Jack is in it.”

Legacy Award - Julia St. Amand ’20

Julia is the catalyst that brought BTW into being. From the first, her passion for peer education was clear. As a founding coordinator, Julia’s organization skills, steady communication, and work ethic drove BTW forward. The standard she has set will continue long after she graduates.

Unsung Hero Award - Danielle Wright ’21

Danielle contributes with the true spirit of a team player. She was instrumental in coordinating the Navigating Nutrition web series, and is always happy to lend a hand. Even after her Study Abroad was cut short, Dani was back in the game, helping out with a smile!

"Peer of the Year" Award - Denezia Fahie ’22

Denezia sets herself apart with her joyous and unwavering dedication to peer education. One of BTW’s founding coordinators, Denezia demonstrated her commitment by leading the curriculum development of a successful cannabis education workshop, building partnerships with Waltham High School Trailblazers, and working to foster a fun, supportive, and inclusive team dynamic for the group.

"Peer of the Year" Peer Choice Award - Ysabel Munoz ’21

Ysabel, a founding coordinator, exemplifies qualities of a skilled leader. She leads through relationship building, always reaching out and checking in to support her team. Biz has gone above and beyond to help BTW become known and respected on campus. To quote a peer: “Her hard work and dedication extends beyond the job requirement.. She is consistently offering new, innovative, brilliant ideas- I think she really embodies what it means to be a stellar peer educator.”

"Peer of the Year" Peer Choice Award - DeBorah Ault ’22

DeBorah demonstrates a clear passion for education through her energetic engagement with BTW. She inspires her peers and works to engage the rest of the community - students, faculty, and staff - in BTW projects. She seeks out new opportunities and partnerships with different groups on campus. As one peer said: “She always gets me motivated in meetings and activities. Her energy is endless, inspiring, and contagious.”