2023 World Citizen Essay Contest Awards Ceremony
May 25th, 2023 6:00PM -7:30PM
The World Affairs Council's Global Classroom is thrilled to celebrate our 2023 World Citizen Essay Contest winners and honorable mentions in-person for the first time in three years on Thursday, May 25th, 2022 from 6:00 - 7:30PM PT. This year, students across Washington State were asked to develop a creative strategy and/or solution to address a global issue they were passionate about, highlighting potential innovative strategies and solutions to positively impact people's lives locally and globally. We received over 200 essay submissions this year and extend our sincere gratitude to all of the educators who shared this opportunity with their students; the parents who allowed and encouraged their children to participate in this year's contest; and all of the youth who shared their voices with us on issues, global and local, important to them. We truly appreciate you all taking the time to let your voices be heard and for uplifting our youth!
This year's awards ceremony will be held at Hamilton International Middle School, located in Seattle, WA. This is a FREE event open to family, friends, educators, and community members. Doors open at 5:30pm! The evening will begin with a conversation centering global education with keynote speaker Dr. Anu Taranath, moderated by Global Classroom Director, Ryan Hauck. After the conversation, we will honor our 2023 World Educator, Laura Adriance at Daniel Bagley Elementary School, and 2023 Global Competence Certificate Recipients, followed by the announcement of the 2023 World Citizen Essay Contest winners and honorable mentions to close out the ceremony. Keep scrolling to learn more about our 2023 WCEC Awards Ceremony and REGISTER TODAY!
Our 2023 World Educator Award Winner
Laura Adriance, 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher at Daniel Bagley Elementary School in Seattle, WA, grew up in New Jersey with parents who were both teachers. She studied French in high school and college, discovering the joy of learning about other cultures and languages. This interest led Laura to serve in the Peace Corps in Namibia. Laura returned to the US committed to incorporating global issues and cultures into her teaching.
Laura enjoys integrating educational technology, especially for the purpose of connecting students with peers beyond the classroom walls. She strives to inspire students’ curiosity about world issues through literature, current events, and by intentionally uplifting the diversity within our schools.
Laura earned an undergraduate degree at Drew University in New Jersey, a master’s degree in education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a PhD in Education at the University of Washington. Outside of her classroom, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Education Association and participates in the district’s Special Education Task Force, working toward increased inclusion and excellent educational services for all students.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Anu Taranath brings both passion and expertise to her work as a speaker, facilitator, author and educator. A University of Washington professor for the past 20+ years, she has received the Seattle Weekly’s “Best of Seattle” recognition, the University's Distinguished Teaching Award, and multiple US Fulbright Fellowships to work abroad. As a DEI and racial equity consultant Dr. Anu offers coaching, training and facilitation services, and has partnered with over 300 clients from Amazon to the Raging Grannies. Her book Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World was named a finalist for several book awards including the Washington State Book Award and included in Oprah Magazine’s “Best 26 Travel Books of All Times.” Please visit www.anutaranath.com to learn more.
MODERATOR
Ryan Hauck is a teacher at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, WA. As a teacher of comparative politics and international studies, he is often applauded for bringing the world into his classroom by engaging students around the importance of living in an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world. Over the last 15 years, Ryan has worked closely with the World Affairs Council and hosted numerous International Visitor Program delegations at his school. He has traveled to South Africa and Swaziland, returning to write curriculum for other teachers to use. Ultimately, Ryan wants his students to think critically about world issues, acquire the skills needed to be globally competent in the 21st century, and become actively engaged citizens locally, nationally, and internationally.
Click the blue buttons below to check out our 2023 World Citizen Essay Contest Winners, Honorable Mentions, and additional Awardees!
Laura Adriance, 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher at Daniel Bagley Elementary School in Seattle, WA, grew up in New Jersey with parents who were both teachers. She studied French in high school and college, discovering the joy of learning about other cultures and languages. This interest led Laura to serve in the Peace Corps in Namibia. Laura returned to the US committed to incorporating global issues and cultures into her teaching.
Laura enjoys integrating educational technology, especially for the purpose of connecting students with peers beyond the classroom walls. She strives to inspire students’ curiosity about world issues through literature, current events, and by intentionally uplifting the diversity within our schools.
Laura earned an undergraduate degree at Drew University in New Jersey, a master’s degree in education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a PhD in Education at the University of Washington. Outside of her classroom, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Education Association and participates in the district’s Special Education Task Force, working toward increased inclusion and excellent educational services for all students. Read more...
Liana Moldovanu, 12th Grade, Inglemoor High School (English, Romanian)
Maria Salvan, 10th Grade, Redmond High School (English, Romanian)
IIinca Hamza, 10th Grade, Eastlake High School (English, Romanian)
Marius Richardson, 11th Grade, Ingraham High School (English, Romanian)
Sofia Fenesan, 10th Grade, Bellevue High School (English, Romanian)
Roxana Stanescu, 10th Grade, Tesla STEM High School (English, Romanian)
Patrick Irimescu, 10th Grade, Eastlake High School (English, Romanian)
Sophia Manole, 10th Grade, Newport High School (English, Romanian)
Thank you to our 2023 World Citizen Essay Contest Participating Schools:
Bryant Elementary School, McDonald Elementary School, The Lake and Park School, Narrows View Intermediate School, Timberline Middle School, A.G. Hudtloff Middle School, St. John/Endicott High School, Woodinville High School, Eastside Preparatory School, Friday Harbor High School, Glacier Peak High School, and Amana Academy
A Special Thanks to our 2023 World Citizen Essay Contest Judges for your support of this event - We could not do this without all of you!
First Round Judges: Nathan Sharpe, Camille Adkins-Rieck, Cassidy Nelson, Julie Kageler, Jackie Miller, Cheryl Serindag, Santoshi Pisupati, Tom Lombardo, Emily Davies, Julianna Patterson, Ina Chong, Kiera Foley, Julia Hall, Noah Ziechner, Rosa Salazar, Guilleme Cravero, Olivia Kugiya, Chinyere Okoronkwo
Second Round Judges: Alinne Oliviera, Magda Davis
Third Round Judges: Nick Pellett