Princeton High School represents Greater Cincinnati in national competition

The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council is in need of funding for its global education programs, which help the organization further its mission of “promoting international understanding, education, engagement and cooperation.”
 
One of the programs—Global Classrooms, for example, pairs international students from the University of Cincinnati with local school districts—so Greater Cincinnati’s youth can begin learning about other nations’ cultures and people.
 
“It’s an opportunity for the students to become those global citizens we’re trying to bring in to the world,” says Michelle Harpenau, GCWAC’s executive director.
 
Perhaps the most popular global education program the nonprofit offers, however, is Academic WorldQuest, which is an international trivia competition for high school students.
 
GCWAC partnered with the Cincinnati Museum Center earlier this year to host 11 teams from six different schools, as each competed for a spot in the national competition.
 
Princeton High School won the local competition and traveled to the nation’s capital to represent Greater Cincinnati in the World Affairs Councils of America’s large-scale event this past April.
 
“You can explore D.C. with that international twist,” Harpenau says.
 
The four student representatives finished in eighth place out of nearly 50 teams and had the opportunity to not only compete by offering their new knowledge of things like current events and cybersecurity, but to see our nation’s current and historical landmarks and even meet Singapore’s ambassador to the U.S.
 
“It speaks to our tagline—explore, experience and engage your world,” Harpenau says. “And it’s so important because we’re one local Council, but these issues are not just affecting us—they’re affecting the nation and the world.” 

Do Good: 

•    Support the GCWAC.

•    Join the GCWAC.

•    Like the GCWAC on Facebook.

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.