Christina Marte, Kate Hevner Mueller Award (2020 Senior Awards)

Congratulations to Christina Marte, one of the 2020 Mueller Award recipients. Christina is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in International Studies and minors in Spanish and Counseling. In the past three years, she has had the privilege of working at the Banneker Community center and making an impact in this space. Christina had the opportunity to make connections and be a role model to children that have behavioral issues. Along with her involvement in the community, she served as President for Ritmos Latinos and studied abroad in the Dominican Republic.

Reflecting back on her IU journey, Christina said, “I truly cannot imagine making it through without the constant support of my family, friends, and mentors. I would like to specifically thank my family for being there for me through my ups and downs, supporting my decisions in my academic and professional paths, and giving me a sense of stability when life sometimes felt anything but stable. I love you all so much and I wouldn’t have made it to where I am without your support. To my mom, thank you for always being my confidant, for giving me the confidence and courage to try my best at anything I set my mind to, and for always being my cheerleader in my less than typical career path. I would also specifically like to thank my harp teacher/mentor Ela Szmyt who has been supporting me both musically and personally since I was 12. Throughout the years, she has helped me grow into the person I am today, both in and outside of the music world. Thank you, Ela for pushing me beyond what I thought I could accomplish musically, and for never taking me doubting myself as an excuse to let me stop. I cannot express how much you mean to me.

Lastly, to all my professors, bosses, and classmates who took the time to help me in my four years here, thank you. You have not gone unremembered.”