Recent SUNY Oswego graduate Helena Buttons, of Churchville, was selected to receive one of two Oswego Alumni Association 2022 Outstanding Senior Awards. They received their award during the annual Commencement Eve Torchlight Dinner on Friday, May 13.
Buttons graduated with a dual degree in communication/social interaction and English, with a business administration minor.
During their time at Oswego, Buttons led the on-campus food pantry, SHOP (Students Helping Oz Peers). They were able to triple SHOP’s usage records, host over 100 student volunteers per semester, and complete two to three events, drives and collaborations per month.
Buttons also completed five internships during their time as a student, one within the Office of Communications and Marketing; one within the Office of Career Services; one based around sex education; one with SHOP; and one with SUNY Oswego Chief of Staff Kristi Eck.
They served as the vice president for Lambda Pi Eta, the communications honor society, and they played a key role in the continued development of the on-campus Queer and Trans Outreach Center, in addition to being a leader in numerous other clubs and activities.
Buttons was recently honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. After graduation, they will continue in not-for-profit work, working at the Center for Youth in Rochester in special events and fundraising.
Although Buttons does have a job lined up to answer the expected question about their future, they also have their own more meaningful response.
“I think I have finally found what I want to do for my career … anything,” Buttons said. “It turns out that as long as I can teach and be taught, can support my people while knowing they support me, and can see the big picture of leaving the world a better place than when I found it, I will be so filled with love that I won’t be able to keep it in.
“It isn’t about what I am doing or where I am doing it,” Buttons said. “It’s about who I am working with and how it impacts the world. I want to work with people who may be imperfect but who are kind, passionate and strive to make the small changes that make larger equity possible. I cannot wait to take my passion for education, creative problem-solving and leadership, and funnel that into activism … We cannot shine on our own, and I am so honored to be a product of the very, VERY extended family who raised me.”
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