“Culture and diversity are two things I seek in my life. Different cultures bring liveliness and creativity and new solutions. They should be celebrated as opportunities that enable individuals and communities to truly thrive and succeed. As Stanley Ann did, I hope to use all of my gifts and opportunities to promote the health and education of marginalized people around the world.”

Update: Graduated with a BA in Public Health from Evergreen State College in 2014.

“I went on a mission trip to Kenya intending to help the people living in the slums of Nairobi…Amidst the poverty was a hope and light I never expected to see. The people were loving, honest, and filled with a fire to improve the lives of their family and friends. All they needed was the support of people who care about making a difference.”

Update: Graduated with a BA in Biology from the U. of Penn in 2014 and is working on a graduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine.

“The world beyond my comfortable life has always enchanted me, but not until I spent time in Chile as an exchange student did I consider it an essential piece of my life…I grew to love the difference in culture, and the rich dialogue it inspires. I am currently studying Arabic because I hope to focus my work in the Middle East. The language itself is my first step towards investing in the lives of the people for whom I hope to create opportunities.”

Update: Graduated from the University of Washington in Linguistics and is currently working on her MA in Linguistics at the University of British Columbia.