Global Shifts, Rising Voices: Celebrating Students, Educators, & Global Education, 2025 WCEC Awards Ceremony

At a time of profound global shifts—technological, environmental, and societal—the urgency to nurture the next generation of critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and creative problem-solvers has never been greater. This year, the World Affairs Council’s Global Classroom program invited youth across Washington State to participate in the 27th Annual World Citizen Essay Contest (WCEC) and reflect on pressing global shifts—from climate change and AI to aging populations and the future of work. Students were asked to examine both the challenges and opportunities these shifts present and propose how a country of their choice might prepare its citizens to thrive. Over 400 students representing 20 schools across 15 school districts rose to the occasion, submitting essays that were insightful, imaginative, and full of heart—demonstrating the vision and empathy young people bring to building a more just and sustainable world.

We invite you to celebrate these powerful voices at the 2025 WCEC Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 22, from 6:00–7:30 PM PT at Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle, WA (doors open at 5:30 PM). This FREE community event will begin with a keynote conversation, “From Minecraft to Mindshift: How Tech Is Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Citizens,” followed by the recognition of our 2025 World Educator and the opportunity to hear excerpts from our student winners. The evening honors not only outstanding student winners, honorable mentions, and educators but also the vital role of global learning and the communities that make it possible.

We are deeply grateful to our 2025 WCEC Awards Ceremony Sponsors: The Norcliffe Foundation, Loretta & Tom Little, The Boeing Seafair Air Show, The Seattle Storm, Global Family Travels, and San Juan Excursions. Your support makes this celebration possible—and meaningful.

Join us for an inspiring evening of stories, celebration, and community as we uplift youth voices and the importance of global education. RSVP by clicking the blue "Register Here," button above & keep scrolling to learn more!

KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

From Minecraft to Mindshift: How Tech Is Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Citizens

We are thrilled to welcome Allison Matthews and Lindsay Hua for this year’s keynote conversation—an inspiring dialogue at the intersection of technology, education, and youth empowerment.

Allison Matthews, Head of Minecraft Education at Microsoft, has led the transformation of a beloved game into a global learning platform that equips students with essential skills in coding, literacy, sustainability, and active citizenship. Her work is grounded in the belief that play can build a better world—and a better future—for today’s youth.

Moderating this dynamic conversation is Lindsay Hua, a global technology executive and board member for IGNITE Worldwide and the World Affairs Council of Seattle. Lindsay’s journey from the Philippines to the U.S., and her career spanning AI, telecommunications, and consumer tech, brings a powerful global perspective on equity, innovation, and access in STEM.

Together, they’ll explore how game-based learning and emerging technologies are shaping tomorrow’s global citizens—and empowering young people to lead in an increasingly complex, connected world.

NOTE: Our three first-place winners will have the special honor of asking a question during the keynote conversation—an exciting opportunity to engage directly with our esteemed speakers.

Congratulations to our 2025 World Educator, David Grosskopf

David Grosskopf, a veteran educator with over 30 years of teaching experience in the Seattle area, has dedicated his career to building thoughtful, curious, and compassionate classroom communities. As a father of three daughters, David brings a deep sense of care and connection to his work with high school students, using humanities-based courses—literature, writing, and civics—as a springboard for reflection, dialogue, and joyful exploration. His teaching is grounded in the belief that shared stories, honest conversation, and creative expression can bridge divides and expand our sense of humanity.

Throughout his career, David has helped students engage with global perspectives through transformative partnerships. As a Fulbright Teacher Exchange grantee, he and his family lived in Hungary, establishing enduring connections through projects on civil rights and cultural heroes. With Hands for a Bridge, he led youth in cross-cultural exchanges with peers in South Africa and Northern Ireland, cultivating understanding through art, music, and deep dialogue. His course Margins and Centers—a collaboration among Puget Sound educators and scholars—was inspired and facilitated by Dr. Anu Taranath, author of Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, a book featured in Global Classroom’s educator book club. The course invites students to explore power, identity, and resilience by sharing their lived experiences and uncovering stories of trauma and healing.

Left to right: Helen May van Lill, Sholeh Sharif, Jessamyn Reichmann, Michael Magidman, David Grosskopf.

Whether at home or abroad, David fosters spaces of vulnerability, trust, and empathy—empowering students to see themselves as global citizens and changemakers!

Learn more about what being the 2025 World Educator means to David, here!

Honoring our 2025 WCEC Student Winners & Honorable Mentions!

Click the blue buttons below to check out this year's outstanding participants!

Thank you to our 2025 World Citizen Essay Contest Participating Schools:

Bryant Elementary School, McDonald International School, The Lake and Park School, Summit Trail Middle School, Maple View Middle School, Seattle Girls' School, Medina Academy, Timberline Middle School, St. Catherine School of Sienna, Tyee Middle School, NOVA Middle School, Glacier Peak High School, Inglemoor High School, Raisbeck Aviation High School, Eastside Preparatory School, Bainbridge High School, Granger High School, Issaquah High School, Redmond High School, and Southridge High School.

A special thank you to our 2025 WCEC judges—your support makes this event possible! Explore the interactive map below to see how the WCEC inspires judges, locally & globally! 

Alinne Oliveira, Brandon Severance, Cheryl Serindag, Chinyere Okoronkwo, Christina Greene, Damon Smith Jr., Darcy Hollie, Emily Davies, Emma Hansen, Guillaume Cravero, Heather Ching, Jacqueline Miller, Jamesha Murry, Jennifer Caravalho, Jessica Koehler, Judy Mirkin, Julianna Patterson, Julie Kaegler, Karen Schwedrsky, Kristi Branch, Loretta Little, Magda Davis, Matisse Fletcher, Mya Vann, Nadia Schwedrsky, Nathan Sharpe, Nick Pellett, Noah Ziechner, Olivia Kugiya, Patrick McLennan, Rebecca Carr, Rosa Salazar, Ryan Hauck, Sadie Devin, Sheila Remes, Tamara Leonard, Tanner Howard, Tanya Lancaster, Tom Lombardo, Vasili Andrews, & Zenib Chaudhri.

2025 Sponsored Awards

First Place

This year's first place prize is sponsored by Boeing Seafair Airshow! Each winner will receive three VIP passes to the 2025 Boeing Seafair Airshow taking place this August! This pass includes access to the Boeing Skybox, guided tours of Stan Sayers Pits, premium viewing of the Boeing Air Show along Lake Washington, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and more!

Second Place

This year's second place prize is sponsored by the Seattle Storm! Each winner will be awarded a voucher for themselves and three friends/family to attend a Seattle Storm home game of their choosing!

Third Place

This year's third place prize is sponsored by Global Family Travels! Each winner will receive 2 VIP tickets from Global Family Travels to tour Seattle’s renewed waterfront and explore the history, community, and parks that make up this beautiful area of our city!

2025 World Educator

This year, the World Educator will be presented with a certificate of achievement, and will be granted the unique opportunity to conceive and lead a Global Classroom workshop, focusing on an issue of their choosing.

As a token of appreciation for their work to bring the world into the classroom, the 2025 World Educator will also receive a gift certificate for a delightful Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour for one, sponsored by San Juan Excursions.

A sincere thank you to our community partners for their continued support and sponsorship of these amazing experiences for our awardees!