Posted on June 12, 2018 by admin
State Representative Arthur O’Neill (R-69) last night congratulated two Shepaug High School Juniors who were awarded the Connecticut Global Engagement Certificate.
During an awards ceremony held in the Old Judiciary Room of the Capitol, Rep. O’Neill commended Shepaug students Bridget Snyder and Wilson King, and the rest of the awardees, for their work to better understand difficult and important issues, including genocide, that affect our world on myriad levels.
“I want to congratulate Bridget and Wilson for meeting this challenge and displaying their knowledge and concern for others through their research and presentations,” Rep. O’Neill said. “While only a handful of students achieved the certificate this year, it is important to note how impressive it is to see two Shepaug students on the list. It says a lot about their commitment to learning, our community and the teachers within our system who motivate and empower students to think about others and to see things from a global perspective.”
According to program documents, in order to complete the program students must “demonstrate achievement toward global competency, as defined by an ability to the world beyond their immediate environment, recognize their own and others’ perspectives, communicate ideas effectively with diverse audiences and translate their ideas into appropriate actions to address a contemporary global issue.”
To be eligible, students needed to complete a minimum of 20 hours of work related to a global/cross-cultural public service project and write a reflection paper or provide a project to demonstrate the student reached an understanding of the issue.
Both students researched and wrote about the plight of refugees with Bridget concerned with Somalia, noting the Kenyan Dadaab refugee camp has a significant Somali population, and Wilson worked diligently to educate the local community about refugee issues.
The awards were presented by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents International Committee.
Rep. O’Neill talks with Bridget Snyder and Wilson King after the awards ceremony.
From left- Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell, Bridget Snyder, Bill King, Wilson King, Rep. Arthur O’Neill and Region 12 curriculum director Teresa DeBrito.
