The fourth graduating class of the Global Leaders of Fairfax County program was recognized at a ceremony held May 19 at Woodson High School. A total of 130 Fairfax County high-school seniors successfully completed the program.
Global Leaders of Fairfax County, founded in 2020 by Ryan McElveen (a Fairfax County School Board member) aims to prepare “fellows” to be global citizens and change agents in their local community and the world. Throughout their senior year of high school, fellows have opportunities to engage with leaders from various fields and undertake field trips to civic institutions to advance their understanding of international affairs and global issues.
The 2023-24 program was launched last October, and after six months of work on their projects, students presented their findings at a showcase at Robinson Secondary School on April 30. At the May 19 event, McElveen led the recognition of the achievements of program graduates along with Fairfax Superintendent Michelle Reid and U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-11th).
In partnership with the Fairfax County Public Schools Global Classroom Project and the Brookings Institution’s 17 Rooms program, this year’s fellows participated in the first-ever 17 Rooms program at the K-12 level, which saw them take part in year-long projects focused on applying each of the UN’s 17 sustainable-development goals to the Fairfax County community.
As some examples of their projects, fellows:
• Created a one-stop Website comprising resources for those living under the poverty line in Fairfax County;
• Created a plan to organize food pantries at all Fairfax public schools;
• Promoted clean water by collecting water samples from schools and sharing feedback with local water organizations;
• Crafted informative articles to educate the public about the marine life inhabiting local waters and drafted legislative bills to present to state legislator; and
• Made plans to supply tree seedlings to students to plant and nurture in the community and promote long-lasting environmental stewardship.
This summer, the Global Leaders program will launch its first study tour abroad, during which participants will spend 26 days in China.
The tour – a partnership with the China Folk House – will focus on craft, cultural heritage, architecture and community sustainability. Participants will travel to Beijing, Chengdu, rural Yunnan province and Hong Kong to visit leaders, universities and historic and cultural sites, as well as take part in craft apprenticeships.
Class of 2024 fellows, including their high schools, from the GazetteLeader coverage area are:
Samie Adapa, Oakton High School; Harika Akundi, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology; Jafita Asirvatham, Oakton High School; Sahithi Atluri, Thomas Jefferson High School; Ebba Cha, Thomas Jefferson High School; Kinnari Chaubal, Thomas Jefferson High School; Ryan Dadoo, Langley High School; Nicole Deng, Oakton High School.
Tommy Fan, Thomas Jefferson High School; Om Gole, Thomas Jefferson High School; Sreeja Gudiseva, Oakton High School; Sahil Kapadia, Thomas Jefferson High School; Akshitha Kumar, Thomas Jefferson High School; Chloe Lee, Oakton High School; Esha Lohiya, Oakton High School; Petra Muehlheuser, Langley High School; Ashlee Nguyen, Oakton High School; Cordelia Norris, George C. Marshall High School.
Cristina Pak, Langley High School; Grace Park, Oakton High School; Samiksha Prabhu, Thomas Jefferson High School; Matthew Ramos, George C. Marshall High School; Angelina Richter, Thomas Jefferson High School; Ella Sedaghat, Oakton High School; Shriya Sirivolu, McLean High School; Riya Takalkar, Oakton High School; Xindi Tang, Oakton High School; Maddie Wenger, James Madison High School; Chris Yoo, Thomas Jefferson High School; William Zhang, Thomas Jefferson High School; Yushu Zhang, Thomas Jefferson High School; Laura Zhang, Thomas Jefferson High School; and Brian Zhou, Thomas Jefferson High School.
For more information about Global Leaders of Fairfax County, see the Website at www.fairfaxleaders.com.
