UNH Today

The UNH campus is a place rich with stories, especially among our students. Nearly every faculty or staff member can name a student who they have mentored; someone they have watched grow through their UNH experience.

Each year, the Create Your Own Story (CYOS) program celebrates students who have made an impact on the community, in big ways and small. Those who have truly embraced the opportunities at UNH — or even created opportunities for themselves — and who have had a positive impact on others around them.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominated students for this year's CYOS award through Jan. 22.

Create Your Own Story is a campuswide initiative that annually recognizes current undergraduate students who have transformed their UNH experience into stories of success. CYOS not only honors dedicated students who have an impact on the university community but seeks to inspire others to take advantage of all that UNH has to offer.

Ten students receive a CYOS award each year and are invited to attend a luncheon in the spring along with the faculty or staff members who nominated them.

CYOS committee chair Curt Kenoyer of the Memorial Union & Student Activities notes that faculty and staff tend to nominate students who they know well — students who they’ve seen face challenges and achieve great things.

Last year, CYOS award winners included students like Mily Santos, whose upbringing inspired her to pursue her dream of being a doctor, Jacob Remick, who felt a calling to serve his country as a member of the Army National Guard, and Abbey McIntosh, who found her passion for creating and sharing stories through photography, videography and fine art.

If the idea of winter break “homework” isn’t appealing, consider co-nominating with a fellow faculty or staff member. If you have written a reference or letter of recommendation for the student for a different purpose, this can serve as the basis for your CYOS nomination.

The CYOS committee hopes you’ll share vibrant and inspiring stories of students. If you need further information, you can contact Curt Kenoyer.