To complete my Global Endorsement, I have taken 1 class each year of high school to help develop my global education.
9th Grade
Freshman year, I took Entrepreneurship with Ms. Stevens. Although this was before we started the Global Pathways program, I think this class really helped me look at the world through a global lens, showing me that I have the power and intellect to solve virtually any problem with my entrepreneurial skills. I had originally taken it simply because it looked like an interesting elective, but it sparked my interest in business, inspiring me to join DECA and take part in different business and leadership programs/conferences.
10th Grade
My second year of high school, I decided to continue my journey in the business world and take Marketing. Both Entrepreneurship and Marketing also filled in the digital learning requirement for this program. This class helped deepen my understanding in the business world and understand why national/international companies function the way that they do.
11th Grade
Once again, continuing on the business track, I chose to take the elective of economics. Economics helped me connect my knowledge on business and apply that in a global sense. We got to learn about how the economy has evolved in history throughout the world and how it affects connections between countries. One topic that stood out was the Trade War between China and the US. It was really interesting to see the relations between the two countries which have stemmed from tariffs and sales.
12th Grade
For my final year of high school, I opted to take the Capstone to build my research skills and really focus in on a global issue that I was passionate about. I am so excited for my project this year because it is one of the first times I have gotten to spend an entire course doing something I love. My topic idea is on the Psychology of Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation in the Media. I have grown up loving questioning everything and entertaining the idea of playful conspiracy theories such as Elvis Presley still being alive or aliens being held in Area 51. In more recent times, I have noticed an uproar of theories spreading through the media concerning serious topics including climate change, vaccines, and the Coronavirus. Citizens are misinformed and seem to not believe the facts and science, but it is important that we teach ourselves and young ones how to check your sources to ensure your information is verified. To wrap up my project, I am hoping to connect with psychologists, librarians, and teachers to create a workshop of elementary aged children and teach them about the idea of misinformation and how to avoid it.
World Language
All 3 years of middle school and 4 years of high school, I took Spanish classes. The initial inspiration to take Spanish over French in middle school was the fact that so many people in our local community are Spanish speakers. By learning the basics of the language, I would be better equipped to communicate with others if needed. Looking towards the future, knowing Spanish will help me immensely in the healthcare field where I will meet many people of all cultures and backgrounds who may not speak English. In addition, speaking Spanish has fueled my inspiration to visit a Spanish speaking country. I am hoping that once Covid has passed, I will have the opportunity to visit Costa Rica to really immerse myself into the culture and help our local communities. I know many people who have gone through their college programs as nurses to care for the families living in low income communities and I am hoping that I can do the same!