The Foreign Service Journal, September 2007

74 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / S E P T EMB E R 2 0 0 7 O n July 10, the Foreign Service Youth Awards Ceremony hon- ored America’s youngest ambas- sadors in the Department of State’s Benjamin FranklinDiplomatic Reception Room. Some of the nation’s highest rank- ing diplomats participated in the cere- mony, includingDeputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs KarenHughes, outgoingDirector General George M. Staples and Deputy Assistant Secretary Teddy Taylor. The annual cer- emony is a joint endeavor of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation and the State Department Family Liaison Office. FSYF’s prestigious Clements Foreign Service Youth Award for Community Service was presented by Jon Clements, president of Clements International Insurance. This award recognizes Foreign Service teenagers who have shown out- standing leadership in community service or in service to their peers while facing the challenges of an internationally mobile lifestyle. This year’s award winners demon- strated the power of the individual to improve the lives of those less fortunate. First place went toMark Phillips, age 17, son of Susan and Timothy Phillips, posted in Washington, D.C. He is the president and founder of the Red Nose Club, a community service club in Scottsdale, Ariz., which conducts projects and sponsors fundraisers to assist children with disabilities and serious illnesses. Mark’s service projects also raised aware- ness of global issues. Also winning first place was Kate Miller, age 17, daughter of Roberta and LloydMiller, posted to Cairo. She spent hours creating gourmet desserts to raise money to pay tuition for Sudanese pre- school refugees in need and working to increase awareness of the strife inwartorn Sudan and the ongoing challenges facing the Sudanese refugees in Egypt. Cle- ments International Insurance donated $3,000 U.S. government savings bonds to the first-place winners. Forbes Slater, age 14, sonofCharles andElizabethSlater, post- ed toBangkok, andAmeeraKeval, age 17, daughter ofMubina andAzadKeval, post- ed to Amman, received the Highly Commendable Award. Ambassador Ruth A. Davis, who is senior advisor to the assistant secretary for African affairs as well as an FSYF board member, presented the Kid Video Awards. The contest, which is sponsored by FSI’s TransitionCenter and FSYF, hon- ors Foreign Service youth between the ages of 10 and 18 for their videos depict- ing life at post for young people. OakwoodWorldwide CorporateHousing generously donated prize money. The first-place award recipient was Megan Potts for her video of life in Frankfurt. Second place went to Nathan Lewis for Rabat, and Erik Thackston for Rio de Janeiro. The “most enthusiastic” category was won by Skyler andHaley Hodell, for their Hong Kong video. FSYF President Blanca Ruebensaal presented awards for FSYF’s Young Diplomat’s Essay Contest for high school and middle school students. Prize money was donated by Diplomatic Auto Sales. These awards honor excellence in written expression among Foreign Service youth. The high school essay contest required students to analyze and explain how the members of the Foreign Service promote the United States’ national interests by participating in the resolution of today’s major international issues. Hana Passan, posted with her family in Lusaka, was awarded first place for her essay on the role of the Provincial Recon- struction Team program in Iraq. Iraq issues are particularly close toHana’s heart because her father is being posted there. Charles Brands, living in SantoDomingo, was awarded second place for his dis- cussion of U.S. national interests froman economic, security and human rights per- spective. Nicholas Marrano, living in Madrid, was themiddle school winner for his essay on the qualities he sees as essen- tial in a person representing the United States on the world stage. Last year, the Department of State began awardingmedals and certificates to children whose parents were serving in high-risk, unaccompanied posts to acknowledge the sacrifice made by the entire family when a Foreign Service member volunteers for an unaccompa- nied posting. For the first time, these chil- dren were recognized at the awards cer- emony. Amb. Negroponte called out the names of 34 children who were able to attend the ceremony. Approximately 365 children have received these medals to date. For more information about the Foreign Service Youth Foundation awards program, please visit www.fsyf.org. A F S A N E W S 2007 FOREIGN SERVICE YOUTH AWARDS CEREMONY Honoring the Youngest Diplomats BY MELANIE NEWHOUSE, FOREIGN SERVICE YOUTH FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The high school essay contest required students to analyze and explain how the members of the Foreign Service promote the United States’ national interests by participating in the resolution of today’s major international issues.