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Winners' Biographies
Ohio
Allison E. Hines | Amanda-Clearcreek High School | Amanda, Ohio
"Foreign Conflicts Involving Natural Resources"
Coordinator: Mrs. Judith B. Groff
Allison lives in Lancaster, Ohio and attends Amanda-Clearcreek High School. After graduation she plans to attend Otterbein College and major in Pre-Physical Therapy. She is involved in the Student Council, the National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Students, Varsity Soccer, and Varsity Track. Allison is a volunteer with the Teen Alliance Volunteer Program at Fairfield Medical Hospital and with the Special Olympics. Allison is a Wendy’s High School Heisman winner and was also selected as a representative to attend the Hugh O’Bryan Youth Leadership Program.
Oklahoma
Shiliang Zhang | Jenks High School | Jenks, Oklahoma
"Resolving Water Conflicts Through Multilateral Negotiations"
Coordinator: Mr. Eric Fox
Shiliang Zhang, who goes by Lisa, loves to learn. Above all, she is most interested in science because of its fascinating explanations of how the world works. Lisa is involved in Student Council, Pre-Med Society, Academic Team, Chinese Club, Orchestra, and the Tulsa Youth Symphony. Though she does not have as much free-time as she wishes, Lisa tries to give back to her community by volunteering at the library and playing violin at retirement homes.
Oregon
Kristine M. Connolly | Valley Catholic High School | Beaverton, Oregon
"Eliminating Conflict Over Arable Land by Supplying Alternate Economic Opportunities"
Coordinator: Ms. Martha J. Karlin
Kristine is a junior at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton, Oregon. She has a love of academics and the performing arts. Kristine frequently participates in local and national math competitions, is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, and is an AP Scholar. In addition, Kristine is a member of her school orchestra and choir and recently played the part of Luisa in The Fantasticks, her ninth play at Valley Catholic. Outside of school she sings with the Portland Symphonic Girl Choir and dances with a hip hop and jazz performing company. After high school Kristine plans to study architectural engineering.
Overseas Schools
Catherine Yoon | Daewon Foreign Language High School | Seoul, Republic of Korea
"Negotiating Peace: From Military Conflict to Collaborative Management"
Coordinator: Mrs. Keumsoon Lee
Cate is a senior majoring in German at Daewon Foreign Language High School, which is in the capital of the Republic of Korea, Seoul. She is the head of the Film Production Club and a member of the Habitat for Humanity Club, German Drama Club, and Korea Reunification Youth Council. She enjoys participating in Model UN and Debate workshops. During school breaks, she tutors low-income children at a local youth centre. She is also a competitive fencer, receiving third place in a national amateur tournament hosted by Korea University. Apart from the NPEC Awards program, she is also looking forward to visiting Poland as a youth ambassador this summer. After graduating high school, she hopes to major in International Affairs and later enter law school.
Pennsylvania
Ruth L. Canagarajah | State College High School | State College, Pennsylvania
"Ethnic Rivalry and Natural Resources: A Call for Global Awareness and Local Action"
Coordinator: Dr. Athelstan S. Canagarajah
Ruth is a senior at State College Area High School. She actively participates in her school’s journalism department as an anchor/producer of her school’s morning broadcast. In addition, she is a staff writer for the school’s newspaper, and the editor of the Mini Mag in the yearbook. She is a member of Future Business Leaders of America, for which she won first place in her region for Business Communications. Ruth also served as the treasurer for her former high school in Old Bridge, New Jersey. As a devoted fan of the arts, she spends her creative energy in community theater, the International Thespian Society, tap dancing, creative writing, and playing the piano. Ruth plans to attend Penn State University this fall, majoring in Communications with a minor in Political Science. She looks forward to an enriching summer, which involves working in England, in addition to the NPEC Awards Program.
South Carolina
Benjamin A. Hawfield | Irmo High School | Columbia, South Carolina
"Natural Resources and the Conflicts They Cause"
Coordinator: Ms. Jan P. McCarthy
Ben is a graduating senior at Irmo High School in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, and was a member of the French National Honors Society. Ben has been voted Most Dependable and is the Vice President of the Kayak Club. He has been a member of the tennis team throughout high school and is currently the team's co-captain. Outside of school, Ben has worked at a local park for the past two years as, among other things, a river guide. Ben plans to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
South Dakota
Jiwen Li | Vermillion High School | Vermillion, South Dakota
"Tackling the Resource Curse Through Transparency and Prudent Resource Development"
Coordinator: Mr. Sharon A. Ross
Jiwen is a junior at Vermillion High School. Her interest in international affairs was sparked by her participation with her school's debate team. An octofinalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the Kansas Nationals in Wichita, Jiwen will be competing this summer in International Extemporaneous Speaking at the Desert Lights Nationals in Las Vegas. She enjoys participating in various science and math competitions as the president and captain of the science club. Jiwen serves as the vice president of her region student council board, is a member of National Honors Society, volunteers at the senior center, and is a community musician. She enjoys perusing Greek mythology, playing the clarinet, sampling various types of music, gardening, and studying world affairs -- an interest she will further pursue as a Girls State delegate. In college she plans to pursue a degree in the medical field.
Tennessee
Callie E. Smith | Girls Preparatory School | Chattanooga, Tennessee
"Resolving Water Conflicts Through the Establishment of Water Authorities"
Coordinator: Ms. Kathleen H. Berotti
Callie Smith is currently a junior at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This year, she is the sports editor for her school’s yearbook and involved in Young Republicans, Junior Classical League, Beta Club, Candlelight Choir, and the National Honor Society. Additionally, she was recently elected by her class to be on the 2008-2009 Honor Council. Outside of school, she spends much of her time interning for her local Congressman and the Tennessee Republican Party. She looks forward to her senior year, hoping to continue to excel academically and assume leadership roles in many of her extracurricular activities. At the moment, Callie aspires to pursue a successful career in politics, with an emphasis on international relations.
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