Area high school juniors and seniors to participate in educational programming that seeks to build the next generation of global citizens
The World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) announced the 2021 cohort of participants for its Youth Diplomats Program, representing six counties and the City of Baltimore, 20 schools from across the state, and 11 countries throughout the world. The program, which launched in 2019, educates Maryland high school juniors and seniors about building leadership and cross-cultural communication skills and encourages them to take their first steps towards becoming global citizens.
The 30 selected students for this year’s program will have the opportunity to connect with leaders from across WTCI’s network as they learn about topics like refugee migration, diplomacy, sustainability, and more.
The program, which began in April and ends in July, includes workshops and other educational opportunities designed for students who are curious about the world, open to diverse perspectives, and committed to making an impact both locally and globally. The program also incorporates components such as creative projects, opportunities for academic reflection and a virtual dinner with international families.
Bobbi Hollingsworth, the career coordinator at Winters Mill High School, said, “The Youth Diplomats program brings awareness and a call to action to a generation that is ready to make a positive difference in the world. These students have the opportunity to learn from informative guest speakers, network with other like-minded individuals, and continue on their mission to make a difference in their futures.”
The following 30 students have been selected for the program:
- Radha Kausik, Aberdeen High School (Harford County)
- Iniyaal Raguraj, Aberdeen High School (Harford County)
- Amira Holland, Arundel High School (Anne Arundel County)
- Bunmi Omisore, Arundel High School (Anne Arundel County)
- Jalynn Hankerson, Baltimore City College (Baltimore City)
- Lorenzo Funk, Baltimore City College (Baltimore City)
- Ambar Daniela Artavia-Montero, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore City)
- Griffin Cargnel, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore City)
- Sarah Li, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore City)
- Zen Gordon, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Baltimore City)
- Moonasia Williams, Baltimore School for the Arts (Baltimore City)
- Rachel Brock, Baltimore School for the Arts (Baltimore City)
- Snigdha Jagarlapudi, Bel Air High School (Harford County)
- Bilal Razzak, Boy’s Latin School of Maryland (Baltimore City)
- Ronak Tallur, Clarksburg High School (Montgomery County)
- Faith Smeltzer, Edgewood High School (Harford County)
- Ryan Buddenbohn, Edgewood High School (Harford County)
- Morgan Mednick, Gilman School (Baltimore City)
- Darius Tyler, Glenelg Country School (Howard County)
- Isabella Battish, Marriotts Ridge High School (Howard County)
- Brigitte Bonsu, Montgomery Blair High School (Montgomery County)
- Anna Seal, Notre Dame Preparatory School (Baltimore County)
- Aderinsola Aderoju, Notre Dame Preparatory School (Baltimore County)
- Alan Gutierrez, Paint Branch High School (Montgomery County)
- Osamudiamen Ighile, Paint Branch High School (Montgomery County)
- Wasay Malick, Patterson Mill High School (Harford County)
- Anne Obrecht, Roland Park Country School (Baltimore City)
- Haben Getachew, Walter Johnson High School (Montgomery County)
- Lucinda Diehl, Winters Mill High School (Carroll County)
- Bindhaya Bista, Youth Opportunity (Baltimore City)
The students will also earn 25 service-learning hours, gain cultural competency and further a connection to the network of Youth Diplomats from around the country, as well as advance their abilities to demonstrate knowledge of global affairs to colleges and employers.
“This program is meant to empower students with the knowledge, tools and confidence to impact change both locally and globally,” says Zachary Sheaffer, the assistant manager for programs and events for WTCI. “After all, they are our future leaders.”
Upon completion of the program, the cohort will be recognized as Albrecht Fellows, in honor of program co-founder Jim Albrecht. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the 2021 schedule for Youth Diplomats has been modified.
About WTCI
The World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) empowers globally minded leaders with new ideas and valuable connections. The largest international business networking organization in the Mid-Atlantic with more than 2,500 companies in the public and private sector, WTCI offers members development programs, professional exchanges and marquee events where ideas are expanded, and collaboration is created. Partnerships with state and local governments, 300+ World Trade Centers, the U.S. Department of State, Work Bank and more provide members unparalleled access to push and empower each other to succeed and connect in ways they never would have or could have imagined. For more information on the WTCI, visit https://www.wtci.org.
