Where are they now? Former Global Scholar Student - Michael Rinaldi

 I often hear from prospective students, how will the Global Certificate program help them?  Of course I have my quick responses; opportunity for a scholarship, recognition on transcripts, recognition at graduation and recognition from Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction, but I also have had discussions with plenty of people who suggest finding students years after graduating high school and finding out if they are successful.  That is a tool they would like to use to measure the success of schools.  Well I wanted to use that tool to measure the success of the Global Scholars program and Global Education provided at Mukwonago High School.  So I have started tracking down former Global Scholar graduates and students who had a strong global focus while attending MHS.  I plan on highlighting the responses I receive from these Mukwonago Alumni and graduates of the Global Scholars Program.  

Our first highlighted student was a graduate from 2018.  Michael Rinaldi was among a group of four students who graduated with the Global Certificate in 2018.  Below are a few questions I sent his way along with his response.

Michael Rinaldi outside the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain

What is a memory you have of the global scholar program or a global learning experience at MHS?

One of my fondest memories of the global scholar program was when I took a look at the list you gave me of the qualified books. I was a fiction-dominated reader, so I never read many books that gave me a perspective on life much different than my own. Then, I read I Am Malala. I was struck by the reality of the outside world, and all of the suffering people take on to get the same rights I have at home. It helped me to understand and be grateful for what I have. I still hold onto that book today and have shared it with many people since.

What global experiences have you had after high school?
 I have been fortunate to go on more trips after high school. In college, I signed up twice for a German Art History class that took a trip during winter break to see the art in person that we studied in Germany. On the second time, I chaperoned and made sure other people got to enjoy the trip as much as I did. I also went to Spain to visit my wife who was studying there at the time. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to travel at least once.

Has being a global scholar helped you after high school, and if so, how?
I would argue that being a Global Scholar helped me more than some of the actual technical classes I had. At work, its obvious that my global scholar certificate has given me an advantage. With more diversity experience and world experiences, I felt like that I was able to offer a broader perspective that helped me give better advice on key global product decisions. It also helped me work with engineers with different backgrounds in a world that is getting smaller and smaller and more international by the day.

Michael and Megan (Bartz) Rinaldi in Santorini, Greece

Global Scholar student reports back to Rotary Club

 

The Rotary Club of Mukwonago continues to be a large supporter of our Global Scholars program and invited Global Scholar student Susie Martin to be a guest speaker at their meeting this past week.  Susie was a recipient of a World Affairs Scholarship from the Mukwonago Rotary, and they asked her to share her experience with them.  

From left to right:
Mr. Montanye, Mr. McNaulty, Susie Martin & Susie's parents.

The World Affairs Seminar is an annual event that takes place at Carroll University in Waukesha.  The seminar focuses on educating young people on global issues and encouraging global activism and peace.  This past year the focus was on "Democracy and Governing."  Susie shared her interest in global issues and her goal of being a global activist or immigration attorney.  One of the stories Susie shared from the event was about an Afghan national who spoke about her role as an advisor for NATO in Afghanistan before the Taliban regained control in 2020.  The speaker discussed the challenges of building a democracy in Afghanistan, considering its complex history and tribal groups and ultimately what she viewed as a failed opportunity to build Afghanistan into a democratic state.

A second highlight for many Global Scholar students is the opportunity to meet students from all over the World.  Susie touched on this when she talked about a friend she made that she made at the World Affairs Seminar.  Her new friend is from Nigeria and they exchanged stories about life in the USA compared to Nigeria. Her friend shared the challenges of attending schools in Nigeria, which often become corrupt, forcing her to spread her education out across different schools.  Susie and her still keep in touch through social media still today, months after the event.

The Rotary Club continues to be a strong supporter by sending students to the World Affairs Seminar every summer and funding a scholarship for graduating global scholars to attend college after high school.  We appreciate their support, and it's wonderful to hear how their contributions to the World Affairs Seminar give our students broader global perspective and connect them with peers and speakers from around the world.

If students are interested in attending the World Affairs Seminar, they should contact their guidance counselor, global mentor or Mr. Montanye.  Generally, we send students who have finished their junior year and are in the global scholars program, but exceptions can be made based on interest and scholarship availability.  The theme for 2025 is "Peacebuilding: Creating Lasting Change."