MEET OUR SCHOLARS - CLASS OF 2022
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KATE BROWN (SHE/HER/HERS)
STEM Pathway
French
South Korea 2019 Exchange
Hi, I'm Kate Brown and I'm focusing on STEM for my area of study. I'm excited to be part of the rotary program to have unique experiences that give me opportunities to go on travel-based learning trips and become a global citizen. My semester capstone project focused on local and sustainable eating!
Capstone Project: The Return to Our Roots
This podcast discusses local eating and the significance from an environmental and social perspective
LAUREN EBERT (SHE/HER/HERS)
STEM Pathway
French
French exchange student
Lauren loves traveling, art, dance, and music. She plays cello for the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and is a member of the Edina Hornettes Dance Team. Some places she has traveled to are Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Chile, Ecuador, France, Spain, and Belgium.
Capstone Project: Industrialization and Indigenous Traditions (podcast)
I volunteered and interviewed members of Indigenous Food Labs, an organization (and future restaurant!) that is Indigenous and sustainability based that donates to homeless shelters. I also looked into some of their connections and looked into Indigenous companies and organizations in Minnesota in general. For my global experience, I did research online as well as interviewed Ms. Smaka's connections in the country, including Julia Kemberg.
FRANCESCA ELIA (SHE/HER/HERS)
STEM and Fine Arts Pathway
Spanish and Italian
International Mentor and Model UN 2019
Hi!! I'm Francesca, and I'm so excited for the opportunity to be a Global Scholar! I've always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures, and my Italian background as a dual-citizen has allowed me to do so my whole life. I am involved in band, Girls United, Interact Club, and in my free time I love to hang out with friends!
Capstone Project: Golden Future (Podcast)
I researched the ways we can reach our zero hunger goal (SDG #2) through innovative bioengineering techniques such as GMOs, which as a result can improve the health and well being (SDG #3) of those struggling to access the nutrients and food they need. For the global aspect of my project, I focused on the Philippines as my country of choice, specifically due to their work with golden rice; For the local aspect, I had the opportunity to work with Karlee Box, a researcher and food science specialist at Cargill, and learn about the work she does, as well as the research her company does with GMOs here in Minnesota. Taking all of this into account, my podcast is a culmination of my research on both the local and global implications of hunger and malnutrition as I answer my research question: How can we utilize GMOs as a potential solution for providing a more sustainable food source in the Philippines?
OLIVER ENGSTROM (HE/HIM/HIS)
STEM Pathway
French
WorldQuest Team 2021
Hi, my names Oliver Engstrom. Music, school, and work are all essential parts of my life, but I love competition. Whether it's achieving important goals, or creating new ways to execute ideas. I always want to do the best I possibly can.
Capstone Project: Minnesota - Mekong (video)
My preliminary research was primarily towards Minnesota's watersheds, and how exactly our water system worked. Then with a connection in Vietnam. I worked on looking at what exactly is being done, what can be done right now, and the possibilities for the future. My project is a creative reflection on the Minnesota, Mekong waters. Bringing informative awareness to the subject of pollution, what is being done to conserve pollution, and what we as individual citizens can do to add to the conservation effort.
BENJAMIN THYM (HE/HIM/HIS)
STEM Pathway
German
Gymnasium Oberhaching, Visiting Student, Germany 2019
Audi AG, Engineering Internship, Germany 2019
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Aeronautical Internship, Germany 2020
Porsche AG, Engineering Internship, Germany 2021
I’m a dual German-US citizen who grew up in Munich, Germany and moved to Edina in the 6th grade. Despite the distance, I remain in close contact with my friends and family in Germany and Switzerland and stay up-to-date on German news, music, and sports. I am an automobile and airplane enthusiast and have sought out opportunities to learn more about these industries during my summers in Europe. I am happy to be able to build upon my international STEM experiences and share my global perspective in the classroom through the Edina Rotary Global Scholar Program. I look forward to completing my capstone project in the winter of 2022.
Capstone Project: Flipping the Switch (podcast)
In my podcast Flipping the Switch, I examine the role governments play in ensuring that electric vehicles are the future of transportation. I focus on what our local government in Minnesota is doing to promote the use of electric vehicles as well as the role the German government plays in supporting EVs. For this project, I did in-depth research into the legislation that has been passed in support of electrifying the auto industry and projects that have been completed in response to an increase in electric vehicles sold in the last few years.
JULIAN THYM (HE/HIM/HIS)
STEM Pathway
German
Gymnasium Oberhaching, Visiting Student, Germany 2019
Audi AG, Engineering Internship, Germany 2019
Airbus Defense and Space GmbH, Aeronautical Internship, Germany 2020
Porsche AG, Engineering Internship, Germany 2021
I’m a dual German-US citizen and lived in Munich, Germany before moving to Edina in the 6th grade. I still maintain a close connection to Germany by keeping up on current events, rooting for FC Bayern Munich, and, of course, staying in touch with family and friends. I also spend my summers in Europe and have used my time there to pursue my interests in STEM, specifically in the automotive and aviation sectors. I am excited to incorporate my international experiences into my high school curriculum through the Edina Rotary Global Scholar Program. I plan on completing my capstone project in Winter 2022.
Capstone Project: Approaching Sustainability (podcast)
Airport operations are extremely complex and require many resources to ensure planes can safely take off and land year-round. As a result, airport operations produce an immense amount of pollution and waste on a daily basis. With 2030 fast approaching, airports across the world are working hard to reach the 2030 sustainable development goals by creating ambitious sustainability master plans. Two major airports that are in the midst of improving airport sustainability are Minneapolis−Saint Paul Airport International and Franz Josef Strauß Airport in Munich, Germany. Throughout my podcast, Approaching Sustainability, I will be taking an in-depth look at what both airports are doing to reach the sustainability goals, and the different ways both airports hope to reach it. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed researching it. Now please sit back, relax, and enjoy Approaching Sustainability
OLIVIA TRAN (SHE/HER/HERS)
STEM Pathway
French
South Korea 2019 Exchange
Hi! I am Olivia Tran. I am interested in global scholars because I love the idea of becoming a global citizen! I really wish to study abroad and want to learn about so many different cultures and languages.
Capstone Project: Sustainability in South Korea & Minnesota (podcast)
In my capstone project, I compared and contrasted the sustainability rates for South Korea and Minnesota. I also researched ways that they both contributed to having clean and affordable energy.
ELLA ZAWOYSKI
STEM Pathway
French
Interact Club
Capstone Project: The Cycle (podcast)
The Cycle is a 1-season podcast where we dive deep into poverty's impact on education. We focus on the 4th SDG, Quality Education, because we were researching the impact of poverty on Education, as well as ways we can lessen its impact by creating more opportunities, or targeting poverty directly. I have always been interested in early education, and especially the grave impact that it has on the rest of one's life. Therefore, when I had the opportunity to create a research question, I knew exactly what to focus on. Throughout this podcast we will talk about education inequalities caused by financial issues, talk with Lisa Pawelak, a principal at Lucy Laney Elementary, and look into solutions to solve this education gap.
ELLA BROWN (SHE/HER/HERS)
STEM Pathway
Spanish
South Korea 2019 Exchange
Hi! My name is Ella. I'm a cheerleader and do track. I also am in concert choir and treble chorus. I love to travel, meet new people, and embrace new opportunities. I'm excited to be in the global scholars program and make connections with people in different countries!
SARAH HOGAN (SHE/HER/HERS)
Humanities Pathway
Spanish
Hosted an exchange student from Chile 2020
Hi! My name is Sarah Hogan and I am a junior. I play soccer and ultimate frisbee and I also loving hanging out with friends and family. I am interested in Global Scholars because I am excited to learn more about other people, have more experiences, and become a global citizen! I hope to study abroad someday and continue to educate myself on international culture.
LUCY BERKE (SHE/HER/HERS)
Humanities Pathway
French
South Korea 2019 Exchange
Hi, my names Lucy. I'm excited to be apart of the global scholars community to have the chance to create connections with people all over the world and gain a worldly perspective. I love doing activities that allow me to set goals and pass mile stones.
Capstone Project: Chit Chat Podcast
A podcast that dives into two different countries' ways of managing the healthcare systems.
CATALINA MADRIÑÁN (SHE/HER/HERS)
Fine Arts Pathway
Spanish and Chinese
Model UN 2018-2022
Hey! My name is Catalina Madriñán and my area of focus is Fine Arts. Growing up in a hispanic household with immigrant parents has provided me with unique travel and cultural experiences. I have dual Italian-US citizenship, speak spanish fluently, and am learning Chinese at school. I love learning about and immersing myself in new cultural experiences, one of the many reason as to why I am so excited to be apart of the Edina Rotary Global Scholar Program!
NADIA CHOI (SHE/HER/HERS)
Fine Arts Pathway
French
Bio coming soon!
Capstone Project: East Meets Midwest: How Seoul and Minneapolis are Tackling Waste Management
I used public sources, including newspapers, magazines, and internet and scholarly articles, as well as government sources to research the different methods Seoul and Minneapolis use to address sustainable waste management. In order to understand these two cities’ different approaches to waste management, I also examined their demographic, geographic, and housing differences. In addition to each city’s successes, I also investigated their future sustainable waste management goals and the obstacles facing their future endeavors. I included an interview with a member of the Minnesota environmental community with experience in composting as a waste management solution. Finally, I examined what Seoul and Minneapolis can learn from each other as they continue the important societal practice of responsibly and effectively managing waste.
ELEANOR KARTHAUS (SHE/HER/HERS)
Fine Arts and STEM Pathways
French
Academic World Quest
Bio coming soon!
Capstone Project: Biodiversity in Indonesia and Minnesota
The examination of biodiversity threats and protection aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 13: Climate Action, 14: Life Below Water, and 15: Life on Land. By examining current threats to biodiversity, it becomes easier to prevent such ecological degradation from occurring. In order to further understand these threats and the measures being taken to prevent them, this article will explore Indonesia, one of the biodiversity capitals of the world, and evaluate the parallels between biodiversity in Indonesia and here in Minnesota. Building off an understanding of biodiversity in these areas, the article will evaluate the economic requirements and implications of preserving biodiversity. Finally, this research hopes to answer the question of where to go from here to fulfill these SDGs by the 2030 goal.
NORAH KENNEDY (SHE/HER/HERS)
Fine Arts Pathway
French
Academic World Quest
Interact Club
Bio coming soon!
Capstone Project: Wonderful World of Plants
My project is a 40 minute podcast. About the impact that invasive species have on the world, specifically Buckthorn and what you can do locally to prevent the spread of invasive species. The podcast is a lighthearted take on a serious topic in hopes the audience stays more engaged and they come away with more knowledge about preventing the spread of invasive species.
IZZY WAGENER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Humanities Pathway
Spanish
Model UN
Izzy Wagener is a senior at Edina High School. In addition to being a part of Global Scholars, Izzy is the Design Editor of Zephyrus, a member of Student Senate, one of the leaders of Project Earth, and the student board member of League of Women Voters Edina. As a writer herself, Izzy is excited to explore a Global Scholars project about journalism.
PETER MANS (HE/HIM/HIS)
STEM Pathway
Spanish
South Korea 2019
I am a senior at EHS interested in STEM, and more specifically environmental science. I am a captain of the ultimate frisbee and Nordic ski teams, as well as playing in Concert Band, Jazz I, and being Drum Major for the marching band. I will attend Middlebury College in the fall, where I hope to continue learning Spanish and study abroad.
ANA MARTINEZ (SHE/HER/HERS)
Fine Arts Pathway
Spanish
South Korea Exchage 2019
I was born in Mexico and lived there until I was eleven. After that, I lived in Panama for four years before moving to Minnesota at the beginning of 9th grade. I have played tennis my entire life, and I have been involved in the environmental movement since I was in 6th grade.