Students Selected for the Washington World Fellows 2019 Cohort

Written By Washington State Leadership Board

This week, the office of Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib announced the names of the 15 students selected for the Washington World Fellows 2019 cohort, the second class to participate in the state’s new global leadership program.

This year’s winners were selected from nearly 200 nominees, and represent a diverse cross-section of the state; winners hail from Chelan, Cowlitz, Franklin, King, Kitsap, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties. Nearly of all of this year’s fellows will be the first in their families to attend college.

“Our 2019 fellows demonstrate the motivation and drive to become future leaders,” Habib said of the incoming class. “Their stories of personal determination, as well as their unique talents and skills, inspired us to trust them with the responsibility and privilege of being Washington World Fellows.”

The fellowship provides students with a study abroad experience in Leon, Spain during the summer between grades 10 and 11, followed by two years of college readiness and leadership development programming. To be considered for the program, students had to be nominated by a teacher or school counselor, and complete a rigorous application process that includes written essays, a personal interview, and a video submission.

Lt. Governor Habib launched the Washington World Fellows program in 2018 through a partnership with the statewide non-profit organization, the Association of Washington Generals, as part of his office’s larger goal of expanding access to higher education. The program is supported by revenues from the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners specialty license plates, as well as by donations from other private sponsors.  

“This program is a tremendous example of government and private enterprise coming together to promote the next generation of Washington leaders,” said Mike Flood, Vice President of Community Outreach for the Seattle Seahawks. “The Seahawks are excited to once again collaborate with the Lt. Governor’s office to support this transformative leadership program.” Flood also serves as board chair for the Association of Washington Generals.

 

2019 Washington World Fellows Cohort

Jennifer Aguilar Bamaca, Chief Sealth High School

Justice Brown, Mariner High School

Luis Carrera-Lara, Todd Beamer High School

Brian Conde-Martinez, Mount Vernon High School

Ceirra Gulling, Highline Choice Academy

David Huerta, Squalicum High School

Makenzie Jones, Riverside High School

Angel Miller, Mark Morris High School

Ian Morfin-Valencia, Wenatchee High School

Ariana Parra, Chiawana High School

Anjelica Perez Vicente, Bellingham High School

Raechelle Pidone, Olympia High School

Geobanny Pineda Cuevas, Grandview High School

Alejandra Pulido, Bremerton High School

Ava Rockefeller Campbell, Bainbridge High School

Washington State Leadership Board

The Washington State Leadership Board, a trustee agency of Washington State, specializes in delivering equity-focused leadership programs for the State of Washington. It is best known for bestowing official honors on behalf of the state, such as the Washingtonian of the Year, as well as the following free youth leadership programs. These include:

Washington World Fellows, a study abroad + college prep program for high school students

Boundless Washington, an outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities

Compassion Scholars, an experiential travel program aimed at promoting compassionate leadership

The Washington State Leadership board was originally founded in 1971 by then-Lt. Governor John Cherberg as the “Association of Washington Generals” with the goal of recognizing service. Today, the Leadership Board continues its long legacy of recognizing service while also working to cultivate leadership among Washingtonians through its annual awards events and its statewide leadership programs.

In 2005, the State Legislature codified the organization in state law, charging it with a number of important roles: the members of the Leadership Board act as “official ambassadors of trade, tourism, and goodwill for the state”, and must work to “expand educational, sports, and employment opportunities for youth, veterans, and people with disabilities.” The Legislature also linked the Leadership Board with the Office of the Lt. Governor, creating a close partnership between the organization and state government. Later, the State Legislature established several programs the Washington State Leadership Board administers into state law, including the Washington World Fellows and Boundless Washington programs as well as the Compassion Scholars.

https://www.washingtonleaders.org
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