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Yaira Matos, of Salem, a second-year student majoring in political science at ����ֱ��, has been elected to the board of the Salem Award Foundation.

Inspired by the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, the foundation aims to honor an individual that “truly embodies the ideals of empathy and tolerance.” Previous winners include Jose Vargas, an immigration rights activist, and Johnathan Shay, a doctor who works with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Matos said she became involved with the Salem Award Foundation “by taking part in local actions for various causes, but largely focusing on social justice.” She is also a part of the Amnesty International student organization on campus. “My days are spent at school (attending classes at Salem State), at my internship with Small Planet Institute in Cambridge, or working on different projects,” she said. “I'm busy, but gladly consumed by so many amazing projects.”