April ’26 received the Simon Family Scholarship, which made it possible for her to intern at the Sue-Je Lee Gage Sunlit Residency for Human Rights and Social Justice Leadership without financial strain. Named for former Ithaca College anthropology professor Sue-Je Lee Gage, the residency champions the arts and humanities as catalysts for social change.
During her internship, April immersed herself in nonprofit work and community engagement. She helped plan events, supported resident artists, and deepened her understanding of how creative spaces can advance social justice and preserve cultural memory.