Momentum Award: Joelle Formato

"It was a really tough decision," she confessed. "Especially in CSOM, accounting was the way."

"Accounting firms wanted her, " La Combe reiterated. "But she turned down the internship because she loved the mentoring process more than the business world."

Both La Combe and Bracher commended Joelle's process of self-discovery.

"Joelle strives to be an authentic person," Bracher said. "She's always looking to be who she's meant to be."

"Her maturity allows her to see that doing well and doing good (for others) do not have to be mutually exclusive," La Combe said. "So many people don't have the insight and wisdom to see how the two points connect, but Joelle does."

Overall, Joelle said that more than anything, people have defined her time here at BC. "I met my two best friends at orientation," she said, "and I've been able to journey with them and always have them as a support when I come home and do have my meltdowns or am too stressed out. My roommates also are my saving grace."

Joelle said she believes it is because of the meaningful relationships she's had at BC, as well as the opportunities she has had working with younger students, that she's made the decision to go to Washington, D.C. to teach math as part of the Teach for America program. Joelle credits her mentors and teachers for pushing her in the right direction. "I have absolutely no doubt that I would not be here without them," she said. "That's exactly what I want to go do in D.C. as a teacher."

"I'm so excited she's going to teach math," La Combe said. "She's really pushed herself from an analytical standpoint. She's taken that leap of faith."

"I'm really excited to hear about her next chapter," Bracher said. "I don't think it will be a straight line, but a new and incredible journey of stretching herself to be that contributing member of society, community, neighborhood, and profession." ♦