Salem State student Yoscairy Raymond, 26, a native of Lynn who currently resides in Marblehead, received the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s “29 Who Shine” award on May 3. The award was granted during a ceremony held at the State House and attended by Governor Charlie Baker.
29 Who Shine recognizes outstanding students from the state’s public higher education system who show exceptional promise as future leaders and plan to remain in Massachusetts.
Raymond, who is graduating from Salem State on May 18, 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in psychology, has been deeply involved in the North Shore community by completing more than 520 volunteer hours through her internship with “We Rise,” a program created by Centerboard, a non-profit organization in Lynn.
We Rise brings commercial sexual exploitation survivors together with key community allies to prevent and intervene against commercial sexual abuse and to promote the recovery of its victims.
Raymond, who has a special interest in community social work known as macro-level social work, learned about Centerboard from Salem State Professor of Social Work Dina Dressler.
“We discussed my interest in macro involvement and she told me about the organization,” Raymond said. “I began my internship at Centerboard where I was very involved with the growth and development of We Rise.”
Raymond’s community involvement goes beyond her work at We Rise, as she was a student advocate at Chelsea High School, has held previous positions at the Lynn Community Health Center, and is a youth director and voice worshipper at the Iglesia Peña De Horeb Es La Roca Church in Saugus.
Raymond, a graduate of Lynn English, has accepted a full-time position at Centerboard as assistant program director for the organization’s Supported Teen Employment Program (STEP) program.
The 29 Who Shine students were asked to give recognition to a faculty member who has aided and supported their college careers so that they be honored alongside the award recipients. Raymond chose to honor Salem State Professor of Social Work Lisa Johnson.
“Dr. Johnson has been such an instrumental contributor to my success. With her encouragement and her amazing wisdom she always made sure I felt supported and heard. ‘Specificity is the key to success,’ she always tells us.”
Raymond also highlights the guidance she received from Professor of Social Work Setou Ouattra, among many faculty members at Salem State.
“I really appreciated the advice and guidance I received from Professor Ouattara,” Raymond said. “She was instrumental in my education and she encouraged me to be well-rounded and to look at all opportunities.”
29 Who Shine recipients are selected by their institutions. Only students who earn their degree within the academic school year, and who intend to remain in the state, are able to be nominated for this award.
For more information about the 29 Who Shine, visit