Dr. Hank Beachell Fellows Program for Nebraska Students and Teachers World Food Prize Youth Institute

Dr. Hank Beachell

Four Nebraska students were chosen as the first Hank Beachell Fellows to attend the World Food Prize Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Beachell, a Nebraska native, was a rice breeder attributed as being responsible for feeding billions of people throughout the world with his "miracle rice". The fellows included Lacey Jarecke, High Plains Community High School, Polk; Sydney Paige, Northwest high School, Grand Island; Chelsee Leitow, Central Catholic High School, West Point; and Elizabeth Westendorf, East High School, Lincoln.

The World Food Prize, www.worldfoodprize.org is the foremost international award recognizing achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Each October during the Norman e. Borlaug International Symposium, the Youth Institute provides students the opportunity to interact with Nobel and World Food Prize laureates and offers exposure to an array of experts, facilities and organizations relating to nutrition and food security. First initiated by John Ruan and Norman Borlaug in 1994, students from more than 140 high schools in Iowa and beyond have participated in World Food Prize Foundation youth programs.

Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food Prize Foundation and 2007 World Food Prize Winner, Dr. Phillip E. Nelson, with Nebraska Beachell Fellows at the World Food Prize Youth Institute

Participants in the Youth Institute are eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, which each summer sends select high school students to work with world-renowned scientists at research centers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. These opportunities are administered by Liza Fleming, Director of Youth and Education Programs, lfleming@worldfoodprize.org

The Malaika Foundation and the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources facilitate the selection of the Nebraska Teams. Applications are welcomed for the 2008 World Food Prize Youth Institute. Contact Dr. Jason D. Ellis for more information, Jellis2@unl.edu ph. 402 472 9782

Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute, New York City

The Great Decisions Teachers Training Institute offers a one week program, primarily for social studies teachers. Held in New York City, this institute is co-sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association and New York University's Center for Global Affairs. The Institute brings together high school educators to gain a well-informed perspective on international affairs and to help acquire tools for teaching about the world. Three Nebraska educators participated in 2006 and applications are welcomed for 2008. The summer program will be announced in March 2008. www.fpa.org

From left to right, Denise Pederson, Keith Neth, Kim Naden, and Tricia Suchsland, handed Mr. Kenneth Morrison a special "Thank You" poster on August 20th, 2007.

Kenneth Morrison International Travel Fellowships

The Malaika Foundation has made arrangements to offer study tour fellowships thanks to the generosity of Mr. Kenneth Morrison of Hastings, Nebraska, who finances these unique educational travel opportunities. Our summer fellowships offer practiced teachers the chance to learn about another country through cultural immersion abroad.

An international travel experience can be life changing. Five Nebraska teachers have already benefited with travel to Cambodia, Thailand and Mexico. Two scholarships are available for summer 2008; applications are due by April 14, 2008.

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