HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 8, 2008) – The Eastern Women’s Fencing Conference recently announced it’s first-ever recipient for the Woman of the Year Award and senior foilist Natalia Chabebe from Stevens Institute of Technology was selected to receive this prestigious honor. This new accolade has been implemented to annually recognize a particular fencer who has best exemplified excellence in three areas - academics, athletics and participation in extracurricular activities. This award was voted on by the seven EWFC head coaches following postseason action.
Chabebe served as the team captain in 2008 as she capped off her three-year career with an impressive senior season. She totaled 37 wins and sits third all-time for most wins in a season as a foilist. Chabebe is also ninth all-time in win-loss percentage in a season having recorded a 0.755 (37-12) mark. She was a first team All-EWFC selection for her 15-3 performance at the individual championships when she took third-place. At the National Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association Christmas Championships in December of 2007, Chabebe was a finalist and finished eighth overall. Furthermore, she was a National Collegiate Athletic Association qualifier for the 2008 championships in Madison, N.J. Chabebe finished 23rd out of 28 fencers in the foil division after the first round.
Aside from athletics, Chabebe is a member of the National Honor Society, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Latin American Society, Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, and Order of Omega Honor Society. Chabebe has also served on the Multicultural Greek Council and as an orientation leader, peer mentor, and peer tutor. She has also racked up a number of hours volunteering at the Hoboken Shelter through various sorority projects.
Chabebe has produced a 3.6 cumulative grade-point average and will graduate in May with a Bachelor’s of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering. She has accepted a position at Hamilton Sundstrand; a United Technologies Company that provides aerospace solutions throughout the world.
