2010-2011 Winners' Biographies
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Alabama
Megan Roman | Bob Jones High School | Madison, Alabama
Coordinator: Mr. Jonathan Wright
Megan Roman is a senior at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama. She will pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics. She has scholarship offers from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Megan is a member of the National Honor Society, the English National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Society of High School Honor Students. She is active in the Junior Civitans Club and participated in the German school paper while living in Germany. Megan volunteers for work at the Madison County Public Library. She also helps the Madison County Rescue League in caring for wounded and rescued animals. Megan enjoys meeting her friends or simply drinking her favorite French vanilla latte at Starbucks. She loves her cat, Elvis, with whom she enjoys to spend her time while working on school assignments. Megan is fluent in German and conversant in French.
Alaska
Aurora Lyman | Home School | Crooked Creek, Alaska
Coordinator: Ms. Carolyn Lyman
Aurora Lyman has lived all her life in the Alaskan bush with her family. Homeschooled since the age of five, she plans to continue her education by attending nursing school in the fall. She is very excited about the National Peace Essay contest, and it is her sincere hope that that the contest will equip her to help others and further understand our world.
Arizona
Alisa Partlan | Desert Vista High School | Phoenix, Arizona
Coordinator: Ms. Tina Charney
Alisa Partlan is a senior at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, AZ, where she consumes any remnant of free time by debating for the Speech & Debate team, publicizing the Relay for Life, participating in the Gay-Straight Alliance, riding her bike, and cooking and baking. She is a National Merit Scholar, was crowned Cupcake Hero in an online contest, and once came within 10 feet of Emma Watson. She aims someday to work with nonprofit organizations, possibly in marketing or advocacy. She loves learning about other cultures and plans to study abroad in college, most likely in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country. Her motto for life is "Make cookies, not war."
Arkansas
Min Kyung Ko | Pulaski Academy | Little Rock, Arkansas
Coordinator: Mr. William Topich
Min Kyung (Michelle) Ko is a Senior at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. She moved to Little Rock six years ago after living in Jakarta, Indonesia, for ten years. At Pulaski Academy, she is the Co-President of Amnesty International, Vice-President of the Senior class, 2011 Basketball Homecoming Queen, and a member of the school's auditioned choir, Interact Club, National Honors Society, National Hispanic Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Varsity softball team. Her paper regarding the failing state of North Korea was selected for publication in the Fall 2010 issue of the Concord Review--the only quarterly journal in the world that publishes academic research papers of high school students, and she wrote a fifty-page thesis on the history and effects of immigration in the United States. She plans to become a Pharmacist, but wants to study international affairs and foreign languages in college.
California
Katherine Hsu | San Mateo Public School | San Mateo, California
Coordinator: Mr. Martin Ortega
Katherine currently attends San Mateo High School as a junior, where she participates in the science bowl, Model U.N., and photography. She enjoys venturing into science as well as pursuing the arts and humanities--anything, really, that piques her interest, which has resulted in a flurry of seemingly indiscriminate activities, including history, astronomy (proud alumni of Summer Science Program '10), literature, and world affairs. She has been a pianist for twelve years and won various awards and honors, and has lately undertaken jazz piano and enjoys playing in the school band. Daydreaming, traveling, reading, attempting to write novels, and puzzling over Chinese philosophy frequent her spare time. After high school, Katherine would like to attend a university pursuing something yet undecided--but, no matter the field, she'd like to make a bright, positive contribution to the world.
Colorado
Samuel Smith | Cherry Creek High School | Greenwood Village, Colorado
Coordinator: Ms. Karen Waples
Sam is a senior at Cherry Creek High School in Colorado. His awards include National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Colorado All State Choir, and Colorado All State Tennis Team. Sam is Co-President of the Union Street Jazz Choir and sings with his school's selective classical ensemble, the Meistersingers, which had the privilege to tour Latvia, Estonia, and Finland in March. He has enjoyed volunteering the past three summers as a junior counselor at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral summer day camp, which serves many children from the local Sudanese community and Inner City Parish. While he is undecided about a college major, his interests include international relations, political science, ethics, environmental science, and music. He found writing his peace and conflict essay to be a transformative experience; he is honored to be in the company of the other Peace Essay Contest state winners and looks forward to meeting them all.
Connecticut
Erica Weston| Home School | Hamden, Connecticut
Coordinator: Ms. Diana Weston
Erica is a home schooled senior, living in Hamden, CT. Next year she will be attending Colgate University, and she currently plans to major in International Relations. She loves to travel and has already gone to England, Scotland, Honduras, and Peru. One of her favorite pastimes is music--she plays violin and guitar and loves to sing which she does anywhere and everywhere. Some of her favorite memories are of acting onstage, and she has an odd combination of past roles, her favorites being Mayzie LaBird in Seussical the Musical and Lady Macbeth in... Macbeth. (Didn't see that one coming, did you?) This year she has greatly enjoyed tutoring refugee children and being a member in a task force to support Love 146, an organization to end child sex slavery and exploitation. Her greatest pleasures are serving her Lord Jesus Christ and spending time with her awesome friends and family.
Delaware
Mara Freilich| Wilmington Friends School | Wilmington, Delaware
Coordinator: Mr. Javier Erieta
Mara Freilich is a senior at Wilmington Friends School. She is involved in leading the Science Olympiad team, the Model Organization of American States delegation, and the Peace and Ecology committee as well as serving as the news editor for the school paper, the Whittier Miscellany. She also volunteers with the Delaware Nature Society and as a crew member on the tall ship of Delaware, the Kalmar Nyckel. She plans to study biology, applied math, and public policy in college and is interested in pursuing a career in oceanography research.
District of Columbia
Eve Barnett| Maret School | Washington, District of Columbia
Coordinator: Ms. Iris Barnett
Eve Sokolow Barnett, a junior at the Maret School in the District of Columbia, is President of the community service club, Sports Editor of the newspaper, a member of the student government, Captain of the "It's Academic" quiz show team, and an upper school tour guide. Eve loves to play sports, and she serves as Captain of the Women's Varsity Lacrosse team and a referee for a youth soccer league on the weekends. In her free time, Eve enjoys playing word games such as Boggle and Text Twist. Her interest in international affairs first developed when, in sixth grade, she learned of the Darfurian genocide and has grown ever since. She is currently looking forward to her summer internship in the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the United States House of Representatives. In college, Eve hopes to study international policy and delve deeper into the world's most pressing issues.
District of Columbia
Henry Joyce| Sidwell Friends School | Washington, District of Columbia
Coordinator: Ms. Shields Sundberg
Henry Joyce is currently a 17-year-old junior at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. He currently resides in Arlington, VA. After finishing high school, Henry plans to attend college and major in International Relations. Ultimately Henry wishes to pursue a career relating to his interest in Social Entrepreneurship. Henry recently earned his Eagle Scout Rank by organizing a construction project at a local home for the disabled totaling 300 man hours of labor. In addition to his continued community service through scouts, his Church, and Habitat for Hummanity, Henry helped found Smart Kids, a non-profit educating DCs youth about financial issues, and the Sidwell Whistleblower Society, a club dedicated to working towards peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through education, and advocacy and fundraising. Henry is also an active participant in Sidwell's choral and performing arts program as well as a member of the varsity golf and Lacrosse teams.
Florida
Krishnan Sethumadhavan | Seminole High School | Sanford, Florida
Coordinator: Ms. Natalie Lauber
Krishnan lives in Lake Mary, Florida, a short drive north from Orlando Florida. He is a sophomore in the International Baccalaureate Program at Seminole High School and plans on finishing high school in 2013. Because being involved in the community is very important to him, Krishnan is involved in a group that tutors underprivileged youth in elementary schools, middle schools, and churches throughout the Central Florida area. He also works with a school for destitute children in India and assists them with raising funds and collecting school supplies in the United States. Krishnan is also Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, and a member of the Model United Nations, and a member of the school tennis team. After graduation, he hopes to study law in Georgetown University and eventually become an environmental lawyer in order to help the world.
Georgia
Hyun Kim | George Walton Comprehensive High School | Marietta, Georgia
Coordinator: Ms. Jennifer Snoddy
Hyun is a junior attending Walton High School. During the school year, he competes for the science, Academic bowl, and math teams, and is the founder and president of his school's multicultural club. Outside of school, Hyun enjoys volunteering in the community, such as in the emergency room of St. Joseph's Hospital and at the Asian American Resource Center. He also participated in the Model Atlanta Regional commission. This year, he competed in the National Brain Bee as Georgia's state champion and learned new information about neurology. During his free time, Hyun loves to watch movies and read books. He is interested in pursuing science as his college major, with a minor in literature.
Hawaii
Dean Tougas | Aiea High School | Aiea, Hawaii
Coordinator: Mr. Bill Taylor
Dean Tougas was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. He currently lives in Hawaii and is a junior at Aiea High School. His interests include world history and cultures, as well as international affairs. Dean is fluent in Thai and Lao, and is currently learning French. He takes AP courses and is involved in the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC), the National Honor Society, and the American Red Cross. After high school, Dean wants to become a linguist in the Army National Guard. He then plans to pursue a BA in Asian Studies/Economics at either Cornell University or the University of Hawaii, and gain his commission as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. One day, he plans to become a Foreign Area Officer in the Army and eventually work at either the CIA or the State Department, where he can pursue his dream of working around the world.
Idaho
Jesse Villines | Home School | Soda Springs, Idaho
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Jesse Villines is a senior in high school and lives in Soda Springs, ID. After high school, he plans on attending the University of Idaho, where he has been accepted into the Honors College. Jesse received his Eagle Scout award at the age of 16 and continued to be active with the Boy Scouts of America by being a leading member of a Venturing Crew. He participates in track at Soda Springs High School and placed third in the Idaho High School Track and Field State Championship for the 110m hurdles as a junior. He enjoys being involved in his community by participating in activities such as the Cancer Relay for Life, nursing home visitation, Special Olympics bowling, and a community kids' club. Jesse also traveled to Brazil for three weeks to do volunteer service work. His many interests include snowboarding, backpacking, running, and reading.
Illinois
Azza Cohen | Highland Park High School | Highland Park, Illinois
Coordinator: Ms. Mary Gorleski
Azza Cohen is a senior at Highland Park High School. At school, she is involved with Mock Trial, French Club, Class Council, Green School Initiative, Scholastic Bowl, and Ambassadors. Azza enjoys working on GreenShields with her brother Jonny, a project he invented to design ways to make school buses more aerodynamic and eco-friendly. She speaks French, reads and writes in Hebrew, and is working on fluency in Finnish. She defines her existence in terms of her times as an exchange student: in 2009, she lived and learned in Belfast, Northern Ireland about its history and politics through a program run by the Belfast Rotary Club, and in 2010 she spent her summer in Joensuu, Finland absorbing the culture and her host family through the Finnish-US Senate Youth Exchange. Azza loves traveling, dancing, acting and writing. She would like to thank her friends and her parents for their support. Azza especially would like to thank her essay coordinator, Mrs. Mary Gorleski, who always helps with her writing and enthusiastic pursuit of essay contests. Mrs. Gorleski inspires Azza with her patient wisdom. Azza always carries a pocket Constitution and is excited to attend Princeton University where she hopes to study at the Woodrow Wilson School. She very much believes, as does Ralph Waldo Emerson, that "the world belongs to the energetic!"
Indiana
Justin Banda | Home School | Michiana Shores, Indiana
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Justin Banda is a senior from Michiana Shores, Indiana. Although he is officially homeschooled, he takes a variety of online classes. He is an intern at the Chicago-based youth magazine "On the Money" and is heavily involved in NCFCA Lincoln-Douglas debate, and qualified to the Regionals competition in the 2010/2011 season. He is a heavy reader and movie fan, and enjoys writing in his spare time. He was the eighth grade winner of the LaPorte County Spelling Bee, and participated in the 2006 Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee the same year. Justin plans to study Architecture at either Judson University or Ball State after graduation. His essays have been published in Enter Stage Right, YourPerspective, and On the Money. He would like to thank his coordinator, Maya Inspektor, for her insight and support throughout the writing of his Peace Essay entry.
Iowa
Stephanie Wenclawski | John F. Kennedy Senior High School | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Coordinator: Ms. Jean Oberbroeckling
Stephanie Wenclawski is a junior at John F. Kennedy Senior High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She enjoys running cross country and track. In addition to her involvement in sports, Stephanie holds leadership roles in Best Buddies Club, Key Club, and is an active volunteer throughout the community. Stephanie is a board member of the Iowa Youth POWER Board for the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Stephanie loves to travel and believes traveling is the best way to learn and develop into a well rounded individual. She is consistently inspired by the people she meets and hopes to someday make a positive impact on the world. Stephanie loves nature and is an aspiring become a marine biologist.
Kansas
Austin Miller | Shawnee Mission East | Prairie Village, Kansas
Coordinator: Ms. Sheila Miller
Austin Miller is a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas. He has competed on his school's debate and forensics squad for four years, placing in multiple local tournaments and qualifying for the National Forensics League National Tournament his junior year in Model Congress. Also within his school, he is an AP scholar and a member of the National Honors Society. In addition, he has participated in athletics all four years. Outside of school Austin does volunteer work through multiple organizations, and in his free time he enjoys music and hanging out with friends. Austin plans to study either International Relations or Finance in college, and is currently deciding between Syracuse University, Binghamton University, and Occidental College.
Kentucky
Laura Zembrodt | Notre Dame Academy | Park Hills, Kentucky
Coordinator: Ms. Emily Sampson
Laura Zembrodt is a junior at Notre Dame Academy near her hometown of Covington, Kentucky. Laura is a member of the Latin National Honors Society as well as Latin club. She participated in the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest and won a silver key for her journalism piece. She also volunteers at a local elementary school. Laura's hobbies include spending time with her family and friends, as well as competitive cheerleading and outdoor activities. Laura plans to attend college after graduation; however she is currently undecided on a major, but plans to explore pharmacy.
Maine
Bridget Boyle | Wells High School | Wells, Maine
Coordinator: Ms. Ann Bechan
Bridget Boyle was born in Upstate New York and now lives in seaside Wells, Maine. A senior at Wells High School, her high school years have primarily been spent in her school's music room as a piano player for the chorus and jazz band, as well as a flute player in the Wells High concert and pit band. When not making music, she fights to save the printed word as editor of her school newspaper and a volunteer at her local library. After high school she plans to study International Relations and find a way to simultaneously pursue a career in government, journalism, education, and the arts.
Maryland
Cayla Jakubowski | Richard Montgomery High School | Rockville, Maryland
Coordinator: Ms. Nancy Jakubowski
Cayla is sixteen years old, and a junior at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. At her school, she runs track and cross-country year round. She loves all kinds of music, and plays piano, guitar, and sings at coffeehouses with her friends. Cayla is a vegan and co-president of an animal rights club at her school. She works as a lifeguard in her community and also enjoys volunteering. She loves learning languages and experiencing other cultures, and in the future, she hopes to pursue international relations as a career.
Massachusetts
Kathleen Ten-Hove | Home School | West Concord, Massachusetts
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Kathleen Ten-Hove, better known as Kay, is a homeschooled junior from Concord, Massachusetts. Unabashedly devoted to scribbling of every description, she plans to pursue art and writing at college. For the past year, she has worked with the Food Project, an organization devoted to creating social change through sustainable agriculture. Kay has performed in a number of Shakespeare plays, including As You Like It, where she portrayed Jacques, and Henry IV, Part 1, where she acted the role of King Henry. When not in the fields or at her desk, Kay enjoys writing, singing, walking in the woods, drawing, painting, and playing the piano and ocarina.
Michigan
Anastasija Kovalova| Detroit Country Day School | Beverly Hills, Michigan
Coordinator: Mr. Donald Corwin
Anastasija Kovalova is from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and attended Detroit Country Day School. She is a part of the Cum Laude Society and also participates in various school activities and clubs. Anastasija has a passion for the outdoors and likes to spend her time hiking, camping, and kayaking with the Outdoor Adventure Club at her school and running on the cross-country team. She is also on the tennis team and serves as Vice Chair on the Honor Council. She has been involved in the Global Youth Leadership Institute for four years, which has played an important role in sparking her interest in international relations and cultures. Through the program, Anastasija had the opportunity to travel to India last June to learn firsthand about global poverty and sustainability. This summer, she will be appearing on the local channel 7 as DCDS's school representative for the station's Best & Brightest program, which features graduating seniors in the area. Every weekend, she volunteers with Hospice of Michigan, visiting, reading, and talking with patients. Next year, Anastasija plans to attend Williams College and hopes to pursue her interests in international and environmental studies.
Minnesota
Yanna Gong | Eden Prairie High School | Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Coordinator: Ms. Mary Strampe
Yanna is currently a freshman at Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, MN. At her school, she is an active member of the Key Club, Science Club, Tree Huggers Club, and Future Problem Solvers. Yanna also studies college-level mathematics through the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP). Outside of school, Yanna enjoys playing tennis and piano and soaking up sunshine. Earlier this year, she wrote winning pieces in essay competitions on civil rights defense, contemporary women mathematicians, and environmental protection. Yanna has also been a previous participant in the Minnesota Model United Nations Assembly and the Minnesota Youth in Government to expand her interests on law-making and international affairs. After high school, Yanna plans to study business or finance in college and pursue a job involving foreign nations and commerce.
Missouri
Anisha Gururaj | Parkway Central High School | Chesterfield, Missouri
Coordinator: Ms. Donna Cleavelin
Anisha Gururaj is a senior at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, MO. Her widespread interests have led her to qualify for the national debate tournament, win writing awards, volunteer to teach Hindu devotional music, research in Washington University in St. Louis's Biochemistry Department, win 1st place at the American Legion National Oratorical Contest, and assume leadership positions in her school's honors societies. Music has been a major part of Anisha's life, especially since the age of five, when she began formally studying South Indian Classical vocal music. Since then, she has traveled around the United States and India to learn and perform this art form as well as that of Indian Classical dance (Bharathanatyam). In the fall of 2011, Anisha will be studying Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, after which she is considering law school.
Nebraska
Brigid Connolly | Dutchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart | Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinator: Mr. Chad Krier
Brigid has been born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended high school at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. She partook in a service trip to the Dominican Republic over the summer of 2009. Brigid also volunteers at a local nursing home once a week. Additionally, Brigid has an interest in international relations and even participated in a student exchange to Auckland, New Zealand over the summer of 2010.
Nevada
Megan Kruitbosch | Home School | Reno, Nevada
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Megan Kruitbosch is a homeschooled sophomore living in Reno, Nevada. She plays harp and piano and has competed in several music competitions in Reno. She has composed nine musical compositions for harp and piano. After high school, she is planning on double majoring in psychology and harp performance. Some of her favorite achievements are representing Northern Nevada in the National Future Cities Engineering Competition, winning two gold key awards at the Northern Nevada Scholastic Art Competition, and advancing to the district level of the Rotary music competition where she will compete in June. Megan loves reading, writing, music, and making hilarious short films with her brother, Kevin.
New Hampshire
Jade McLaughlin | Plymouth Regional High School | Plymouth, New Hampshire
Coordinator: Mr. Scott Miller
Jade McLaughlin is a sophomore at Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth, New Hampshire. She is looking forward to studying biology after she graduates from high school and continuing on to become a surgeon. Jade is very active in school and community affairs, participating on soccer, skiing and track and field teams, as well as acting with the school theater program and playing clarinet in the band. Although she is only in her second year of high school, Jade has already been named one of Next Step Magazine's 2011 Super Teens and she has won the prestigious Francis Wayland Parker "Scholar of the Month" Award.
New Jersey
Daway Chou-Ren | Holmdel High School | Holmdel, New Jersey
Coordinator: Ms. Margaret McDonald
Daway is a junior at Holmdel High School. While he enjoys studying history and literature and being an editor for his school's newspaper, his career goal is to become a scientific researcher. He is especially fascinated by the potential for biochemistry and material science to provide advancements in medicine and technology. He is a Biology Olympiad Semifinalist and has qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination three years in a row. When not in school or at academic competitions, Daway spends his time attending Columbia University's Science Honors Program and volunteering at a local hospital and library. He is also a serious tennis player and is a key part of his school's highly successful tennis team. His favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut.
New Mexico
Sophia Sennett | United World College | Montezuma, New Mexico
Coordinator: Ms. Jacquelyn Baker
Sophia is a graduate of the School for Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington, DC and is currently a Davis Scholar, attending United World College of the American West in Montezuma, New Mexico. With a passion for public policy, Sophia has served as a page for both the Washington State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. She is particularly interested in environmental policy as it relates to climate change, food security, and human rights. Sophia is actively engaged in sustainability initiatives and enjoys working in the campus greenhouse, organizing a Kiva youth microlending team (peacepennies), and interning at the Peace and Justice Center in Las Vegas, New Mexico. After graduation Sophia plans to attend university to pursue a major focusing on political science and applied ethics.
New York
Meredith Pochily | Home School | Conklin, New York
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Meredith Pochily is a junior in high school. She loves soccer and plays throughout the year. She is the leading scorer on her fall team, with 54 goals in her sophomore year. Meredith also plays the cello and has won several awards for her playing. She is the principal cellist of the Binghamton Youth Symphony Orchestra and participates in a steel drum band and community chorus. Additionally, Meredith volunteers at the local library, performs at local nursing homes and hospitals, and coaches a 9-and-under soccer team. Other activities she enjoys are writing, hiking, analyzing literature, and hanging out with her friends and older brother. She maintains a challenging academic load of AP and college classes and her favorite subject is English. In the future, Meredith plans to pursue a degree in social work with minors in journalism and theology.
North Carolina
Mary Clare Mazzocchi | Cardinal Gibbons High School | Raleigh, North Carolina
Coordinator: Ms. Pamela Heyl
Mary Clare Mazzocchi is a 2011 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was very involved in the theatre program and worked on the literary magazine. In addition to performing in eleven plays and musicals at CGHS, Mary Clare wrote a one-act comedy that was produced professionally by Burning Coal Theatre as a winner of its youth playwriting contest. In the fall, Mary Clare will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she plans to major in English and Global Studies.
Ohio
Connie Zhang | Columbus Academy | Gahanna, Ohio
Coordinator: Ms. Kim Zhao
Connie Zhang lives in Dublin, Ohio and attends the Columbus Academy. She is a well-rounded student who enjoys challenges. While pursuing an advanced curriculum at school, she participates in many extracurricular activities such as piano and tennis. She works with her school newspaper, heads her school's Latin Club, and is also active in her school's arts magazine. She is the sole pianist in her high school orchestra, as well as playing the cello. In her free time, Connie can be found reading, drawing or writing recreationally; and her creative writing has been published in literary journals. Actively green, she promotes a lifestyle better for the environment, and raises awareness at school through the Service Board. For her efforts in writing, piano, and service, she has received a number of awards and honors. In the future, she hopes to work on defending human rights and protecting the environment.
Oklahoma
Davis Grubin | Jenks High School | Jenks, Oklahoma
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Fox
Davis Grubin is a 16 year old sophomore attending Jenks High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He moved from Atlanta last summer and enjoys playing football, lacrosse, and guitar. Davis enjoys the outdoors and is currently a Life scout working on his Eagle. He likes to read, listen to music, and watch movies in his spare time. Some of his favorites are The Big Lebowski, The Band, Miles Davis, The Office, Colbert etc... Davis plans on attending a top college after High School.
Oregon
Lavanya Sridharan | Valley Catholic School | Beaverton, Oregon
Coordinator: Ms. Marty Karlin
Lavanya Sridharan is a junior at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton, Oregon. She has an interest in Education and International Relations. She recently attended an international peace forum in Kyoto, Japan to speak about nuclear disarmament. Lavanya is a member of the National Honors Society, and is greatly involved in community service. She serves as co-president on the youth board for the non-profit organization REAL (Rural Education and Literacy). She is also actively involved in Girl Scouts. In addition to serving her community, Lavanya enjoys singing, acting, playing the piano, and traveling. She has taken part in her school plays as an actor and stage manager. She currently sings for her school's liturgy band and takes piano lessons. She has visited many countries and wishes to continue traveling to learn more about different cultures. Lavanya hopes to study International Relations in college and further her interests in the arts.
Overseas School
Daniel Letchford| Rift Valley Academy | Kijabe, Kenya
Coordinator: Ms. Jenny Hunt
Daniel Letchford is a sophomore at Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya. Africa has been his home for the past 13 years. He plans to study medicine after attending college, returning to work in Africa as a doctor. He is class president, a Junior Chair in the East African Model United Nations, and regularly volunteers in the school's community outreach programs. He also occasionally helps in the Kijabe Hospital kitchen serving meals to patients, washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, and stocking the firewood. He plays trumpet in both the school's wind ensemble and jazz band.
Pennsylvania
Lily Zhang | North Allegheny Senior High | Wexford, Pennsylvania
Coordinator: Mr. Dave Morris
Lily lives in Wexford, PA and is a sophomore at North Allegheny High School. She participates in forensics, and this year, she won second in the state in the category of Duo Interpretation. She is also the co-captain of her school's JV tennis team and a member of the National Junior Honors Society. In addition, she enjoys playing piano and volunteers in the UPMC Passavant Hospital's Legacy Music Series, where she plays music for patients and their families. She has won a gold medal in level ten of the World Piano Competition and has performed at Carnegie Music Hall in New York. Every Sunday, she teaches traditional Chinese dance at the Pittsburgh Chinese School and leads her class to performances throughout the community. The National Peace Essay Contest has surely broadened her horizons, and she would like to thank her family for their support and Mr. Morris for his guidance.
Rhode Island
Victoria Gu | South Kingstown High School | Wakefield, Rhode Island
Coordinator: Ms. Lisa Chen
Victoria Gu is a senior at South Kingstown High School in Wakefield, Rhode Island. In her high school career, she has held leadership positions for her school's Math Team, Academic Decathlon Team, Amnesty International, and National Honor Society. She also serves as a mentor in her school's Freshmen Mentors Program and as a peer leader in Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse. She balances her club activities with sports and music. As a player on her school's varsity tennis team and a violinist in her school's orchestra, she has received All-State honors for both. Her interest in international issues developed from participating in Amnesty International, but science has always been her passion. She has performed scientific research at the Tufts University School of Medicine and has highly enjoyed participating in her local FIRST Robotics Team. In the fall, she plans to study Applied Mathematics and Biomedical Engineering at Harvard College.
South Dakota
Bryant Yang | Lincoln High School | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Coordinator: Xiaojing Zhou
Bryant is a sophomore at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His interest in international affairs was sparked by his participation in speech and debate. He is an avid competitor on both the local and national level, earning a degree of Outstanding Distinction in two years through the National Forensic League (NFL). Bryant is already a two time qualifier to the NFL National Tournament, this year in both Policy Debate and US Extemporaneous Speaking. He will be competing in Policy Debate at the tournament in Dallas this summer. Bryant is also an active participant around the school and community. He started the recycling program at his former middle school, volunteers at local activities, and is part of the Lincoln Concert Band. Bryant enjoys playing the saxophone, playing tennis, and studying global affairs. In college he plans to pursue a degree in biology or law.
Tennessee
Evan Booher | Home School | Hermitage, Tennessee
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Evan Booher is a junior in high school from Hermitage, TN. He has been homeschooled throughout his life by his parents, Gilbert and Lisa. Evan is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society. History is Evan's favorite subject, and he hopes to study Classical Languages and Ancient Mediterranean Studies in college. Evan studies classical piano and has participated in numerous competitions. Evan has won awards at the Tennessee Music Teachers Association state conference and, in April 2011, he won the senior division of the Clavierfest competition at Middle Tennessee State University. Evan is also active in his church and community. He has volunteered for several local organizations, including the Sam Davis Home, Soles 4 Souls, Second Harvest and Joseph's Storehouse food banks, and Dodson Elementary School. Evan's purpose in life is to use his talents to glorify God and to serve others.
Texas
Kathryn Botto | Liberal Arts and Science Academy | Austin, Texas
Coordinator: Ms. Jamie Kocian
Kathryn (Katie) Botto is a senior in the magnet program at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, Texas. She will be majoring in International Relations and East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore next year. Katie has a passion for studying other cultures, especially Asian cultures. She has studied Japanese for the past six years and Chinese for one year, and plans to continue expanding her knowledge of those languages, as well Korean, in college. She also won a full scholarship to study abroad two years ago in a very rural town in Japan through Youth for Understanding (YFU). That experience was life changing for her, and has solidified her desire to pursue a career in the international field. She is also heavily involved in Model United Nations, Japan Bowl, the National Honor Society, and is an Alumni Assistant at the Japan Pre-Departure Orientations for YFU in the summer. Katie enjoys journalism and hosts a local radio show and is the entertainment editor of her school’s newspaper, for which the paper and she have received many awards. She loves community service, and recently organized a large concert benefit for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan that raised $2,600 and a relief project at her school that raised $16,000. She would like to be able to make a difference in the world some day through work with an international NGO. Katie finds having knowledge of other cultures to be very fulfilling.
U.S. Territories
Valeria Pelet | Academia del Perpetuo Socorro | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Coordinator: Ms. Marie Gillette
Valeria was born and raised in the suburbs of San Juan, Puerto Rico. In her high school, she is the Editor-in-Chief of the Spanish newspaper, "Pitirreando," President of the National Honor Society, and President of the History League. She has also been an active participant in Model United Nations, English Forensics, and various community service outlets, such as beach cleanups and marathons. Her passion for literature is only paralleled by her obsession with the Food Network. Her hobbies include reading, writing, discussing current events, and watching films. Valeria plans to major in History at Harvard University, where she wishes to study topics such as international policy, foreign languages, ethnic studies, and journalism in order to pursue a career in law.
Utah
Katlyn Mease | Davis High School | Kaysville, Utah
Coordinator: Ms. Wendy Dau
Katlyn Mease is a Junior at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. Her favorite subjects to study include economics and government/politics, both foreign and domestic. Katlyn is heavily involved in Speech and Debate and is an active member of the National Forensic League. She also participates in multiple Advanced Placement courses. In 2009, Katlyn served as a Youth Ambassador to Morocco for the Utah National Guard. Her father will be deployed for the second time to Iraq in June 2011. In her spare time, Katlyn provides respite care and peer tutoring to a severely autistic child in her neighborhood. She also volunteers regularly with a local non-profit foundation helping at-risk youth in the community. Her interests include reading and playing the piano. Katlyn is also proficient in sign language and uses it daily with her hearing impaired sister. She hopes to someday pursue a career in the field of Criminology.
Virginia
Zachary Odle | Lafayette High School | Williamsburg, Virginia
Coordinator: Ms. Brenda Fairbairn
Zach Odle lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is entering the class of 2015 at the University of Virginia in the fall of 2011. He plans to major in commerce and a foreign language. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and the bass guitar. He plays the number 5 position Lafayette High School's tennis team and has performed at various venues in Williamsburg and Virginia Beach with his band. In addition to being an AP Scholar, Zach is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, the German Honor Society, and Interact Club. Through his educational experiences, Zach has developed a profound interest in both foreign and domestic politics. He hopes that after his career in business he can put his knowledge to use in public office.
Washington
Robert (Jackson) Reed | Home School | Redmond, Washington
Coordinator: Ms. Maya Inspektor
Jackson Reed is a senior in Redmond, Washington. After graduation he will travel to the other Washington to attend the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Jackson comes from a family of three generations living and working abroad, a heritage that has given him an appreciation for different cultures. Desire to follow the road less travelled has been a major influence on Jackson. It has taken him around the world for education. His favorite pastimes include caring for horses, competitive rowing, and diving. Randall Munroe is a wonderful, wonderful person. On Jackson's iPod, The King's Singers, Daft Punk, and Idan Raichel are all treated with equal deference. He is a homeschool valedictorian, and enjoys throwing statistics off track. In high school, Jackson has enjoyed seeing some of the world; in college, Jackson looks forward to meeting slices of the world in D.C.
Wisconsin
Meryl Ellingson | Platteville High School | Platteville, Wisconsin
Coordinator: Mr. Dan Ellingson
Meryl Ellingson is a senior at Platteville High School in Platteville, Wisconsin. In the fall, she plans to attend Colorado College to major in biology and hopes to study some Arabic as well. She has been involved in Model United Nations, International Club, National Honor Society, and has volunteered as a youth soccer coach. After injuries ended her competitive soccer career, she joined the swim team and has found new interests ins cycling, yoga, and painting.