MANSFIELD, PA—Alyssa Wroblewski, who graduated from Mansfield University in December, is the 2015-16 recipient of the 
American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Exemplary Service Award. The Milford, PA native was honored at the ASTA national convention held in Tampa, FL March 2-5.
The ASTA Student Exemplary Service Award is designed to recognize and reward college string students who distinguish themselves as active members and supporters of ASTA while in college.
“There are several reasons why this award means so much to me,” Wroblewski said. “It’s a chance for our small string program to really get its name out to any aspiring student, it’s a stepping stone for me to my past internship and even to the new job I’ll be starting soon with the York Symphony and it’s a reminder to me and an inspiration to others, both in Mansfield and around the country, that we are each so capable of accomplishing so much. I never thought I would have the honor of receiving such an award, but here it is. So just imagine what every single one of us is capable of when we give it our all.”
Wroblewski served as president of Mansfield’s ASTA chapter for two years and was active in the organization during her entire time at MU. While a member, she recruited a number of her fellow students to be student teachers, helped to purchase materials for classes, wrote programs for recitals, toured local venues for recitals, created student evaluations and taught a wide variety of students from first-day beginners to advanced, both in group classes and in private lessons, among other activities.
Also at active member of the Mansfield String Project, Wroblewski serving as secretary for two years, treasurer for one year and program director for one year. She joined with other ASTA members involved in the String Project to visit an after-school YMCA program to perform in a string quartet and encourage young students to pursue their interest in music.
Wroblewski performed with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, String Quartet and String Ensemble.
“Alyssa worked very hard during her time at Mansfield University to help develop the String Project as well as the string program in the Music Department,” Associate Professor, Director of String Studies and ASTA Advisor Jeffrey Jacobsen said. “As the college representative for the state ASTA chapter she helped at least two other schools form student chapters. Alyssa is the personification of all we strive for at MU.”
“There are a lot of people I want to thank including my former alumni colleagues, who taught me everything and encouraged me to join and step up to leadership, even when the going got tough; to my friends and family, for supporting me and my busy schedule, and for offering kind advice whenever I needed it; to Mansfield, for becoming my home and for giving me endless opportunities to become the person I am today; and especially to Dr. Jacobsen, who was not just an advisor but a great story-teller, motivator, master teacher, conductor, and a great friend, who had also worked incredibly hard to take our small program and turn it into home, and who even recommended I apply for the award and offered to write the letter the recommendation for me,” Wroblewski said. “We all have a way of touching each other’s lives and helping us become the people we are today. I hope we can continue to help each other and help our home at Mansfield University reach its full potential.”