Deadline February 1, 2027
The Vermont-NEA Human and Civil Rights Committee announces the annual Vermont-NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards each year at the Vermont-NEA Representative Assembly in the early spring. The award looks to recognize and advance the work of Vermonters or Vermont organizations advancing human and civil rights. Vermont-NEA offers a cash prize to award winners and may nominate them for consideration for a NEA Human and Civil Rights Award later in the year. Nominations may only be submitted by current Vermont-NEA members. Nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. EST on February 1, 2027 and may be submitted to: Vermont-NEA/HCR Chair, 10 Wheelock Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 or via e-mail [email protected]. Click here to access the nomination form.
Vermont-NEA:
1) Accepts nominations without regard to race, color, creed, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation or national origin.
2) Reserves the right to present no award or to select a nominee other than the person or organization nominated for the award.
3) Presents awards to nominees as selected by the Vermont-NEA Human/Civil Rights Committee and approved by the Vermont-NEA Executive Committee.
Nominees:
1) May be individuals, schools, NEA affiliates, or organizations working in the area of human and civil rights;
2) Must be NEA members if eligible for membership;
3) Must not have performed the activities that meet the awards criteria as part of compensated Association staff responsibilities.
Nominators:
1) Must be Vermont-NEA members;
2) Must make nominations for a specific award category;
3) Must submit a single, completed nomination application that includes:
• Nomination Form
• Cover letter
• Criteria Eligibility Form
• Other materials which support the nomination (optional)
4) Nominations must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. EST, February 1, 2027 at: Vermont-NEA/HCR Chair, 10 Wheelock Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 or via e-mail [email protected]
Recent HCR Award Recipients
Category 1 (K-12 Student or Student Group)
2026: Victoria Tornwini - Burlington High School
Victoria Tornwini, a student at Burlington High School, is a powerful and principled advocate for human and civil rights in her school and community. Through her leadership with the Racial Justice Academy and the Burlington School District Office of Equity, she works to dismantle barriers for marginalized students and amplify the voices of students of color, ensuring that equity is reflected in school policy and culture. As an active member of UVM TRIO and the Sankofa Project, Victoria advances educational access and raises awareness of the Black experience, helping foster meaningful conversations about diversity, implicit bias, and systemic injustice. Beyond the classroom, she mentors youth at the Burlington Boys and Girls Club and consistently demonstrates courage, resilience, and integrity in speaking truth to power. Victoria embodies a deep commitment to justice, using her strength and leadership to build bridge.
2025: Full Send Student Group - Vergennes Union High School
Category 2 (Individual Vermont-NEA Member): Alison J. Sylvester Human & Civil Rights Award
2026: Tul Niroula - JFK Elementary School - Winooski Education Association
Tul Nirola, Multilingual Liaison for the Bhutanese Nepali Community in the Winooski School District, is a steadfast advocate for the human and civil rights of students and families. A trusted and beloved leader, Tul serves as a vital bridge between the school system and Winooski’s Bhutanese Nepali community, ensuring that families are informed, empowered, and supported. He has led “Know Your Rights” trainings and visited families in their homes to help them understand how to protect themselves and their neighbors in the face of immigration enforcement concerns. In addition to supporting students throughout the school day, Tul teaches Nepali language classes on weekends and makes himself consistently available to families for guidance, advocacy, and crisis support. Through his tireless commitment, cultural leadership, and unwavering belief in dignity and justice for all, Tul exemplifies the highest ideals of the Vermont-NEA Human and Civil Rights Award.
2025: Greer Krembs - Hinesburg Community School - Champlain Valley Education Association
Category 3 (Community Person or Group)
2026: Wilmer Chavarria - Superintendent, Winooski School District
Wilmer Chavarria, Superintendent of the Winooski School District, leads with both courage and heart. When he was detained and interrogated by Customs and Border Patrol and pressured to turn over access to confidential student information, he refused to be intimidated. Instead, he spoke publicly about his experience—including in testimony before Congress—so that the focus would remain where it belongs: on protecting students and families. In Winooski, Wilmer turned values into action by drafting and championing a Sanctuary Schools policy, along with a detailed, practical procedure to ensure immigrant students are safe and that staff understand exactly how to uphold that commitment. He doesn’t just speak boldly about justice; he does the daily, often unseen work to make sure policies are implemented with care and clarity. Wilmer’s leadership reflects a deep, personal commitment to dignity, safety, and opportunity for every member of the school community.
2025: White River Junction Pride
