HTHS Class of 2020 Alumna Attends International Science Symposium

(Secaucus, NJ--November 11, 2020) Rachel Stern (HTHS ‘20) earned herself a seat at the table of the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute which was held virtually last month during the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

The Borlaug Symposium brings together approximately 1,000 individuals from 50 countries to discuss the global issues of food security and hunger. Within this year’s two-week, international summit was the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute (GYI). GYI attendees, who come from all around the globe, presented evidence-based solutions designed to improve the lives of individuals in locations where food insecurity or hunger are major issues. Rachel represented the state of New Jersey for her work on Food Security and Conflict in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, research that was supported by her former teacher, Dr. Shelly Witham, who also attended the summit.

Dr. Witham described Rachel as “impressive” for her work during the prestigious event. A former student at High Tech’s Academy of Environmental Science and Sustainability, Rachel currently attends the University of Oregon. Rachel is the second student to attend GYI in as many years under the tutelage of Dr. Whitham.

The Borlaug Symposium was created in 1994 by Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and John Ruan, Iowa businessman, to challenge teams of students and teachers to discover ways to alleviate hunger and introduce students to careers in the fields of food, agriculture and natural resources. Students at GYI were also participants in the larger Symposium, which included attending a Virtual Oxfam Hunger Banquet and viewing the 2020 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony which honored renowned soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal.

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