National S!NERGY Competition to End the Year 2021

At the end of 2021, International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) USA co-hosted the National S!NERGY presentation competition online on December 29th. Also co-hosting were the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) and the Unification Theological Seminar (UTS). 

The event theme for this national competition was “Bridging the Divide Between Nations and Communities”. The young presenters for the day were from both the east and west coast, with Iris Wojtowicz, a local IAYSP coordinator for the Chicago area, as the master of ceremonies. 

Presentations were on various subjects pertaining to the event theme and brought a diverse view of what kind of things in our society and in the world has division that needs to be addressed. 

Presenters

Taking 3rd place with $200 was Ricardo De Sena of New Jersey. His presentation was on the corruption Latin American countries experience and the qualities and possible solutions needed to help reduce it based on a case study of one Latin American country. 

In 2nd place with $300 was Tiffany Gao of New York. She presented on the topic of environmental racism and how many minority communities in the US statistically live in more urbanized and polluted living environments.

1st place with $500 went to Madoka Tsuchihara and Kengo Kawa of California. Working as a team to represent their college club, CARP, their presentation was on the historic division of the Korean Peninsula and how this split was also a division of philosophies that has influenced the world. Their solution to reunite North and South Korea included the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the voice of youth, and the influence of key countries and entities.

Guest judges

As guest judges, IAYSP was able to invite and host Dr. Thomas Ward, President of the Unification Theological Seminary; Dr. Lisa M. Brady, Professor and Department Chair of History, Boise State University; and Mr. Miilhan Stephens, President of IAYSP North America and USA.

Dr. Thomas J. Ward serves as President of Unification Theological Seminary and Professor of Peace and Development Studies. Prior to his current role, he served for eighteen years as Dean of the University of Bridgeport's College of Public and International Affairs where he taught graduate courses on Culture and Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Political and Economic Integration.

Professor Lisa M. Brady is an environmental and military historian of Asia and the United States. She has earned degrees from the University of New Mexico (BA), the University of Sydney, Australia (MA), Montana State University-Billings (MEd), and the University of Kansas (PhD). Her research examines the ways military activities—during peace and in times of conflict—shape and are shaped by the natural environment. Her first book, War upon the Land: Military Strategy and the Transformation of Southern Landscapes during the American Civil War, was published by the University of Georgia Press in 2012. She is currently working on a volume on global war and environment for the Very Short Introduction series by Oxford University Press and on a book exploring the environmental history of the Korean War.

Mr. Miilhan Stephens is a visionary that has dedicated his life to making a world of peace. He has contributed to this cause through his leadership with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification for eight years. He currently serves as the President of the International

Association of Youth and Students for Peace USA where he works to empower young people to take responsibility for the greatest challenges our world is facing today.

2021 Youth Heroes’ Awards Recipients

During the National S!NERGY event, two recipients for the annual Youth Heroes’ Award were also recognized. The Youth Heroes’ Award is an award given by each IAYSP chapter nation to recognize exceptional youth and young adults who have contributed to creating a global culture of peace and sustainable development through their projects and have shown exemplary public- mindedness to bring a positive, lasting impact on their community and/or broader society. The recipients for the 2021 awards were 17-year-old Karina Samuel from Florida and 16-year-old Esha Venkat from Virginia. 

Karina Samuel places profound emphasis on both climate change awareness and education as well as reducing plastic waste. Her leadership in these areas extend to an international level, as she is currently a global representative for Bye Bye Plastic Bags, single-handedly directing the Florida Chapter. 

Esha Venkat is a global changemaker, ambitious servant leader, and groundbreaking girlpreneur who has spent over 1,500 hours giving back to her community on projects ranging from feeding the homeless and tutoring kids worldwide to creating care packages for low-income families and facilitating global workshops. She is the co-founder and COO of NEST4US, a 501©3 non-profit with a mission to make the world better through kindness by mobilizing volunteers worldwide to advance progress on societal issues and spark equitable solutions for the greater good. 

Both award recipients received a medal, certificate and a $500 grant for their projects.

The event wrapped up with some final words from each of the judges, who were also able to give important feedback and ask questions to each of the presenters after they presented. 

Watch the entire event recording HERE!

The first place winners will go on to present for the Regional S!NERGY on January 22, 2022 along with Canada’s presenter.