Como students travel the country to enrich experiences

Compiled by ERIC ERICKSON, Social Studies Teacher

• Como Academy of Finance (AOF) students John Barton (right in photo) and Greg Murphy (left in photo) were selected to attend the Youth Career Connect (YCC) National Conference in Washington D.C. from July 20-22.  The two students, who will both be seniors this fall, produced a video last semester in their AOF coursework that was selected as a top three finalist in the national YCC Video Contest. Their video highlighted the important and influential work that YCC grantees and partners are doing to provide students with successful paths to employment.

While in Washington D.C., Barton and Murphy were led on a White House tour, met with staff members from Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office, and visited Smithsonian museums, memorials and monuments.  At the U.S. Department of Labor, they presented their video and spoke on a panel at the YCC National Conference.  The students shared stories about their Academy of Finance experiences including job shadows, internships, and opportunity to earn college credits.

• In other AOF news, eight students were thriving this summer in BrandLab marketing internships at local companies and agencies. Three juniors attended Gopher Business at the U of M’s Carlson School of Management and three girls attended the Michigan Tech Summer Engineering Camp through 3M. Five students attended the Minnesota Business Venture Camp, and one student participated in the Minnesota Council of Economic Education Camp at the U of M.

• Como MCJROTC sophomore cadets Joseph Newman, Philip Chervenak, and William Farley (left to right in provided photo) traveled to Front Royal, Virginia to attend a cyber security and STEM course hosted by the eastern region of the Marine Corps JROTC. The cadets stayed at the Randolph-Macon Academy and took intensive courses in Cysco Tracer-Router Configurations, Linux, and Microsoft security applications. The cadets hope to build upon the experience and use their specialized knowledge to be successful in the national Cyber-Patriot competition hosted by the Air Force Association during the upcoming school year.  The cadets also had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. while out on the east coast.

• Upward Bound is a college prep program at Como administered by Century College.  Thriving Como Upward Bound students including LayLay Zan, Sarem Ayalewe, Tu Lor Eh Paw, Kao Moua, GaoNou Lee, Aye Win, Shukri Abdullahi, and Peh Mue earned the opportunity to experience New York City from July 17-23.  The program’s theme was “Immigration, Arts and Culture” with study visits throughout the city to connect the history of immigration with cultural influences today.  Destinations included Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, El Barrio in East Harlem, the Tenement Museum, Chinatown, Koreatown and seeing “Aladdin” on Broadway. Students gained an appreciation for their own experiences, comparing and contrasting immigration patterns and assimilation over time in America.

• Como Park seniors Tyler Johnson and Aklilu (Archie) Gjerdrum traveled to Lyon, France from June 30-July 7 to participate in the “streetfootballworld” Festival.  Minnesota’s delegation of four players also included Central junior Sunniva Dunagan.  The purpose of “streetfootballworld” is to bring people together with a united spirit to drive social change through the beautiful game of soccer.

Approximately 500 players from around the world, ages 14-18, used the “football3” model to play in mixed gender, multicultural teams.  The football3 program is inspired by the values of inclusion, teamwork and fair play. Players meet and communicate with their opponents before a match to establish the rules for their specific game.  Once there is consensus, play begins.  The third component is discussing the effectiveness of the rules and how they impacted the game and the shared values.

Johnson, who has played in three state tournaments for Como Park, appreciated how barriers with new players from around the world were broken down through the experience.  “You get to meet people and talk to people to understand where they are coming from instead of assuming based on their race, culture, country and sexuality,” said Johnson.

• Senior Marie Wulff traveled to Ghana from June 27-July 11 as a participant in Global Leadership Adventures “Building Healthy Villages.”  Wulff was one of 15 high school students from North America that served in the African village of Dzita, Ghana.  Wulff worked on a public health project building an eco-compost toilet for the village.  In addition to the labor and service, Wulff was able to learn about the native culture with the village Chief, take language lessons in Ewe, and visit local hospitals, schools and produce clothing in a textile trade school.

The cross-cultural exchange and incorporation of a needed service was attractive to Wulff as she searched for a meaningful way to see another part of the world.  To help raise funds, she hosted an authentic Ghanaian dinner at her church, St. Timothy’s Lutheran, in February.  Wulff was grateful for the opportunity and the community’s support, both in Como Park and in Ghana.  “The experience opened my eyes to a less materialistic way of life,” said Wulff.

• Como Robotics “BeastBot” team will be at the State Fair competing with other robots on Sun., Sept. 4.  Como’s BeastBot will be on display throughout the Fair in the Education Building, which is also where the competition will take place.

• Freshmen Orientation for Como’s incoming 9th graders is scheduled for Thur., Sept. 1 at Como Park High School beginning at 6pm.