THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2023 65 AFSA NEWS AFSA Celebrates Foreign Service Youth The board met in person at AFSA headquarters, with some members joining virtually via a hybrid system. Chair of the Board: The Governing Board unanimously approved AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi as chair of the board. According to AFSA bylaws, the president of the association does not become chair until such a motion is approved. Awards: The board adopted the Awards and Plaques Committee’s recommendations for an additional recipient of AFSA’s annual dissent awards. The full list of award recipients appears on page 56. Committee Assignments: The board voted to approve the following AFSA committee assignments, in addition to those approved at the July meeting: Centennial Committee (ad hoc): Lisa Ahramjian, Randy Chester, Steve Herman. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee (ad hoc): Joshua Burke, Sue Saarnio, Logan Wheeler. Minutes Approval Committee: Sue Saarnio (chair), Lynette Behnke, David Josar, John O’Keefe. n AFSA Governing Board Meeting, August 16, 2023 AFSA joined the Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF), the Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO), and Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) in honoring excellence in Foreign Service youth at the 2023 Youth Awards Ceremony. The event took place on July 19 in the State Department’s George C. Marshall Center. The FS community came together to celebrate the achievements of the children of U.S. foreign affairs agency employees. The ceremony drew more than 100 guests, and dozens more tuned in to watch the livestream. FSYF President John Naland presented the foundation’s merit scholarships and essay and art awards to the six recipients (out of 26) who were able to be in Washington, D.C., for the event. Next, AAFSW Scholarship Chair Adah Ellenport conferred six scholarship awards for academic merit, volunteerism, and essay writing. AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi then presented the association’s 2023 merit scholarship awards to the eight recipients (out of 38) who attended the ceremony. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s letter of congratulations to the awardees was read aloud, and Foreign Service Director General Marcia Bernicat delivered the keynote address. The event was followed by a reception. Each year AFSA awards merit scholarships to graduating high school seniors ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. This year the AFSA scholarship program awarded AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA $254,000 in need-based Financial Aid scholarships, divided among 78 students, and distributed $141,500 in 48 Merit Awards going to 38 students, some of whom received awards in more than one category. For more information on AFSA’s Scholarship Program, please visit www.afsa.org/scholar. Details of the 2023 Merit Scholarship recipients appeared in the September issue of The Foreign Service Journal. n Recipients of AFSA’s 2023 Merit Award scholarships pose with Director General Marcia Bernicat (center). Students from left: Daniel Petry, Kiara Fenn, Donna Cazeau, Martin Neisuler, Alexander Liesegang, Ethan Mandojana, Daniel Murray, Olivia Tilley. 2023 FSYF award winners were recognized by Director General Marcia Bernicat and Foreign Service Youth Foundation President John Naland.
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