Reflecting on the 2025 Global Scholars Capstone Presentations

After attending Emma’s presentation on Tuesday and speaking with Katie and Arielly after school today, I have felt inspired by how my fellow Poly Global Scholars have engaged with real global issues. Each capstone really stood out to me in a different way, but all three showed the power of storytelling, education, and creative expression.

I was especially impressed by Arielly’s ability to capture the impact of the Nirayama and Italian exchange visits on our campus through her physical memory books and thoughtful presentation. I think tangible items can hold memories in really meaningful ways, so it’s amazing that she created and shared these books with the exchange students. It’s a rare and generous thing to give someone a way to remember their experience, and I know it must have meant a lot to them. I really enjoyed learning how her project grew out of both her Argentina trip and her work with Mimi, and how it connects with so many of the SDGs:

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Her focus on cultural exchange, cross-border friendship, and global citizenship felt meaningful and timely. I especially appreciated the way her work emphasized shared human experience across borders. I really hope a Global Scholar next year continues Arielly’s amazing work and builds on the relationships she’s helped strengthen. I think it is amazing how the Global Scholars program as a whole connects our school to so many other remarkable institutions around the world, and Arielly's capstone helped reinforce those strong connections.

I’ve long admired Katie’s public speaking and communication skills, so I was excited to learn more about her KSPN podcast. Her ability to connect with guests on each episode has done a great job of capturing the voices of PolyGlobal speakers and making those ideas accessible to more people—not just the students who attended the events. I think podcasting is such a creative and modern way to expand how we engage with global issues, and Katie’s work has shown how youth can amplify important conversations through media. I also really hope that a future Global Scholar continues the Katie Sam Podcast Network and builds on what she’s started. Her podcast network promotes SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing inclusive access to knowledge through her podcast.

Emma’s presentation on her human trafficking awareness website was really engaging. Her website, Stand Up, Speak Out, End Human Trafficking, is an amazing resource for education, advocacy, and support. Throughout her presentation, I really valued how openly she shared her Global Scholars journey, including how she changed her project after facing scheduling difficulties with art therapy programs with CAST LA -- a project I wanted to collaborate with her on. Her ability to pivot and still create something very impactful says a lot about Emma's drive. Emma’s site includes survivor stories, warning signs, educational resources, and ways to get involved. She mentioned that she will continue to update it through college, which shows her commitment to advocacy beyond school. It's through education and educational resources that people can grow and know when things look suspicious. Her project connects to many SDGs including: SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it raises awareness, supports vulnerable populations, and promotes justice through education and advocacy.

These three capstones reinforced for me how meaningful the Capstone project in the Global Scholars program is. By working hard to create something meaningful, we can work towards the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to creating a more just world.