April 30, 2018

Academic WorldQuest Recap and

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings Updates

As WACA finishes wrapping up another successful Academic WorldQuest National Competition, today's email will be concise and will include two major highlights from the National Office.

We will send the full May newsletter tomorrow, May 1.

Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition

A heartfelt thank you to all students, teachers, parents, and other participants who made the Carlos and Malu Alvarez 2018 Academic WorldQuest National Competition a wonderful success!

Special thanks also to all of our sponsors, including the United States Institute of Peace, which held a welcome reception for all Academic WorldQuest attendees. Read the WACA press release.

We will be sending a survey and team scores to chaperones very soon!

Congratulations to the winning teams:

First place: Plano West Senior High School - World Affairs Council of Dallas/Forth Worth

Second place: Palm Desert High School - World Affairs Council of the Desert

Third place: Indian Hill High School - World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Keynote speaker: Nabil Kapasi, Academic WorldQuest National Competition alum and sophomore at Georgetown University's School of International Service. See his speech about the Academic WorldQuest experience and attending university in our nation's capital. Watch now.

United States Institute of Peace:

WACA would like to additionally recognize Ambassador William Taylor, Executive Vice President of USIP, who made welcome remarks at the AWQ Reception at the United States Institute of Peace's iconic headquarters.

Thank you to our Judges and Emcee:

Emcee: Joyce Davis, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg

Judge: Rich Crepage, WACA Advisory Council

Judge: Maureen Korzik, World Affairs Council of Hilton Head

Judge: Leslie Palmer, World Affairs Council of San Antonio

The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of students, teachers, parents, chaperones, and all World Affairs Council staff and volunteers across the country. Thank you for helping to make competition a great success!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings Hotel Block Closes Wednesday, May 2

This year's Spring Leadership and Board Meetings will be held in partnership with the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, May 17-19. 

The meetings will open with an installment of WAC San Antonio's Distinguished Speaker Series on Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 pm CT:

San Antonio’s First 300 Years: From Spanish Colony to Modern City

Join the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and local historian Dr. Gilberto Hinojosa for a fascinating overview of San Antonio’s last 300 years, from its foundation as a Spanish outpost to its rise in the twentieth century.

This event is held in conjunction with the World Affairs Councils of America’s Annual Spring Leadership Meeting.

On Friday, May 18, following professional development workshops, WACA will host a dinner with a VIP speaker.

The WACA Board meets Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Hotel Block

We have extended our hotel block at Hotel Valencia. We are offering a rate of $169/night. The block will now close Wednesday, May 2. Book your room today!

*Registration and agendas coming soon. ($50; free for 1918 Society members and Council leaders who renewed membership by the deadline)