Rafiatou (Rafi) Ouro Aguy ’18, a French major, has been awarded the William E. Simon, Jr. Service & Leadership Award by the Squash + Education Alliance (SEA) for her academic achievements, strong leadership qualities, and dedication to service and volunteer work.
During the summer of 2018, Rafi will apply her enthusiasm and leadership skills as an urban squash ambassador at Egoli Squash in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her award will also allow her to travel throughout the country. SEA is committed to the development and promotion of squash and educational enrichment programs among urban youth.
Major: French and Francophone Studies
Minor: Archaeology
Hometown: New Haven, Conn.
High School: Hill Regional Career Magnet High School
Since coming to Hamilton in the summer of 2014 as a member of the Opportunity Programs, Rafi has been on the women’s squash team. Now a senior, she is the co-captain and has played in the first position this fall. “Rafi’s engaging personality, overwhelming enthusiasm and positive attitude is inspirational,” said Jamie King, director of racquet sports.
Rafi participated in Squash Haven, one of 21-member programs of the SEA throughout her high school career. Her first squash coach was John DeWitt (Hamilton ’09) who played for the Hamilton men’s squash team before going to work at Squash Haven in New Haven, Conn., where she met him.
Rafi interned with Simon & Schuster publishing in 2016, has been involved in SAVES as the Greek life chair, has been a trainer’s assistant for the sports medicine department and spent her junior year abroad in France.
Opportunity Programs staff say “we are thrilled and excited to have Rafi recognized, not only for her academic promise, but for her citizenship and drive for excellence. She is a role model and deserves this award.” Opportunity Programs are designed to provide access to select promising high school students whose economic or academic circumstances, would otherwise prevent them from attending college.
