Kudos to Jessica Muni

Jessica Muni, a 2007 graduate of School for Creative and Performing Arts, has won the second annual Dr. Catherine Roma Scholarship from St. John's Unitarian Universalist Church in Clifton. She will receive $500 for her work in the arts, academics and social justice. Jessica's interest in the protection of abused women caused her to interview eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues." She's planning to major in musical theater at Boston Conservatory of Music, and is the daughter of Nic Muni and Mari Opatz-Muni.

The scholarship was established last year to honor Roma's 20 years of service as minister of music at St. John's. She is already a choral legend, nationwide, as one of the founding mothers of the women's choral movement. Roma established MUSE Cincinnati Women's Choir in 1984, and founded and directs UMOJA Men's Chorus at Warren Correctional Institution in Lebanon. She's also on the faculty of Wilmington College.

Picture, L to R: Rev. Dr. Frank Carpenter, Minister, St. John's Unitarian Universalist Church, Frances May Brooks, President of the Board, Jessica Muni, Dr. Catherine Roma, Minister of Music