DERRY — A Derry social work student took top honors as the Master of Social Work Student of the Year.
University of New Hampshire student Erin Dudley received the honor by the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She is a 2004 graduate of Pinkerton Academy.
Dudley, daughter of John and Kelly Dudley of Derry, is in her first year of the MSW program at UNH, where she is studying direct practice. Dudley's passion for community service grew while growing up in a family that took in foster children.
"I was an only child and loved the companionship of having children in our home," she said. "However, being a foster sister opened my eyes to a world of terror and abuse that I could never have imagined."
A graduate of UNH Manchester, Dudley has been an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Child Advocacy Center in Hillsborough County for more than two years, providing support to child victims of sexual and physical abuse, and their non-offending parents. In addition to her coursework, she is an intern at Casey Family Services. Upon graduation, she plans to work with at-risk children and families, and open a clinical practice.
"I am so proud to have been selected by so many outstanding professionals and community members," Dudley said.
A single mother of a young daughter, Dudley said the award underscores the importance of education.
"I am proud to be such a positive role model for my daughter and my two younger sisters, whom my parents adopted from the foster care system," she said.
For more information on the New Hampshire chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, visit online at www.nhnasw.org.
