Bay View Sophomore Maggie Dunleavy Named EF Global Citizen Scholarship Recipient

March 23, 2011 - PRLog -- For the second consecutive year a Bay View student has won the EF Global Citizen Scholarship. Bay View Academy sophomore, Maggie Dunleavy, has been awarded one of only 20 scholarships nationwide. Out of hundreds of applicants, Maggie from Cranston, Rhode Island was one of 20 winners chosen from throughout the entire United States.  She will travel on a10-day all expenses paid EF Educational Tour to Peru.  The trip departs in June and one of the stops will be the mystical Machu Picchu.

EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship encourages high school sophomores and juniors to think about their roles in local and global communities, and how their actions affect the people around them and around the world.   The applicants this year submitted a 1-3 minute video to be considered.  

This year’s EF Global Citizen Award applicants were asked to respond by:
1. Creating a 1-3 minute video that answers the following prompt:
What is a Global Citizen? Describe a social or ecological issue facing our world today. How should a Global Citizen respond to this issue?
How would experiencing an educational tour to Peru, a country rich in not only archeological and anthropological lessons but also ecological biodiversity, help you to be a responsible Global Citizen?

You can view Maggie’s winning video here.
Maggie focused on the being a responsible global citizen and how women’s issues are of paramount concern. She begins her video with ownership, “Anyone who is born on this earth is a global citizen. But we must remember to be responsible global citizens.” Maggie zeroed in the plight of women in developing countries. She asks, “Do you know there are 600 million girls living in developing countries, and by adding to one year to their education it will increase their wages by 10-20%? Those women will put 90% of those wages directly to family support.”
“Maggie’s video and premise are provocative and well thought out,” noted Colleen Gribbin Bay View Principal. “It certainly seems we are doing something right, as we have now produced 2 scholarship recipients in as many years.”  Our mission is clear:

We endeavor to provide a quality education permeated with the compassionate ideals of Catherine McAuley in order to prepare young women for the challenges of the global community of the 21st century.

Pam Farmer, Maggie’s World Language teacher is so proud of this distinction. ”Maggie’s talents include singing and acting and she represents the well rounded students of this Academy. She is a vivid example of the young women we shape and educate here at Bay View, this scholarship is evidence that we are keeping true to our mission.” She continued, “Maggie will be Blogging her trip, as the technology allows so the Bay View Community can follow her great adventure.”    

When asked what she is looking forward to about this trip, A wide eyed Dunleavy beamed and said, “Being part of the world, expanding my horizons; new people, new places, new food, this will be amazing!” I can’t wait to immerse myself in the culture and language!” She also hopes to build friendships with her fellow EF Scholars from across the US.  She hopes that this trip will expand her knowledge of women’s issues in Peru as well the world, and ultimately make her a more responsible global citizen.

Katherine Schlemann, Educational Programs Manager noted, "Maggie’s project showed great maturity and concern for global issues. We are thrilled to have her join the Global Citizens scholarship tour to Peru. EF’s mission is to inspire the next generation of global citizens to break down barriers of language, culture, and geography. It is our hope that this scholarship tour will inspire Maggie and the other scholarship recipients to continue their efforts in being strong global citizens, and also in turn, through the recipients, inspire their schools and communities."

For more information on the EF Global Citizen Scholarship visit www.eftours.com/globalcitizen.
For pictures and videos of Maggie's adventure her Blog is www.maggiegoestoperu at Blogspot. The entire Bay View Community will be keeping close tabs on her travels.

Feliz viaje Maggie!

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Bay View is an independent Catholic School for girls, Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Riverside, RI. In existence since 1874, Bay View endeavors to provide a quality education, permeated with the compassionate ideals of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, in order to prepare young women for the challenges of the global community of the 21st century. St. Mary Academy–Bay View is a college preparatory school accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and has been providing a superior education to girls and young women for more than 130 years. Bay View offers a values centered curriculum based on tradition and inspired by innovation. There are currently nearly 800 students enrolled in grades Pre-K-12. The academy is accepting applications for the 2011-12 school year, contact Betty Sepe, Director of Admissions at 401-434-0113 ext 150 or for more information visit www.smabv.org