The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) awarded its prestigious David Aloian Memorial Scholarship to Nancy M. Poon '01 and Fentrice D. Driskell '01 last Thursday--honoring the two seniors for their "unique contributions" to their Houses.

The awards, which were presented at a dinner for HAA's Board of Directors, are given annually to two Harvard seniors who have made "Harvard an exciting place in which to live and study," according to the HAA.

Each House is allowed to nominate one student for the Aloian award. The nominees complete applications that are then judged by the HAA board.

"We're very proud [of the winners]," said HAA Associate Director Kay Hall '87. "We could have easily given the award to [a student from] each House."

Poon, of Dunster House, said the honor was unexpected.

"I really was surprised to win because there were so many incredible people [nominated]," Poon said. "I know that they all have made such valuable contributions."

Poon is the Dunster House Committee co-chair and is involved in several House community service programs. According to Hall, Poon has "mobilized House energy to serve the community."

She is also active with "Think College Now!" a program that stresses the importance of college to seventh grade students in Cambridge and Boston. In addition, Poon participates in the Radcliffe Association's Mentor Program and the Women's Leadership Project (WLP).