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."