In May we concluded another successful year of the Global Scholars Diploma program and graduated over one hundred fifty students whose Take Action projects will continue to change the world beyond the 2018-2019 school year. At the May 17^th International Awards Ceremony we highlighted just a few of these outstanding scholars whose projects included the implementation of a Women in Science and Engineering (W.I.S.E.) elementary after school program in the Olentangy School District, the establishment of an ESL mentoring program at Westerville North High School, and the founding of a school-wide recycling program at Marion Harding High School, among many others.

While our Year 3 Global Scholars worked vigorously over the course of the year to complete their independent Take Action projects, our Year 1 and Year 2 students continued to build their global competency skills. These students had the opportunity to gain awareness around several different cultures through discussions with volunteers from Turkey, India, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Mauritania, China, Scotland, Japan, Guinea, Pakistan, Senegal, and Somalia. They also heard from and dialogued with experts from The Ohio State University, US Together, the Peace Corps, Honda, TS Tech, Sutphen Corporation, L Brands, and many others who are actively working in a global field or on a global issue.

Furthermore, this year we welcomed two new community partners, Community and Refugee Immigration Services (CRIS) and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, both of whom will be returning next year to guide students through hands-on simulations that emphasize transversal skills such as intercultural understanding, communication, organization, and collaboration.

While the 2018-2019 year has come to a close, our team continues to prepare for some exciting changes that will take place during the 2019-2020 academic year, as we prepare to welcome a growing cohort of over 1,400 students into the program!