1. LEADERSHIP

Winner: Maryana Burdeha (Ukraine/Iowa)

Maryana is active in the West Union FFA Chapter and served on the Conduct of Meetings Team that competed at the state level. Maryana is also a member of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at her school. She was involved in the Model Senate Day at school and was selected to attend the FLEX civic education workshop in Washington, DC. She is involved in many community service activities and made over 20 presentations in her community about Ukraine during the year.

2. CIVIC EDUCATION

Winner: Ivan Sablin (Russia/Iowa)

Ivan was involved in the Iowa Political Caucuses and was a volunteer campaigner for Presidential candidate John Edwards. Ivan was a candidate himself for Marion Student Council. He visited the Iowa State Capitol and met with state senators and judges. Ivan served as a translator for a Friendship Force Delegation from Russia and served as an assistant to the Marion City Mayor on the project.

3. COMMUNITY SERVICE

Winner: Polina Rogozhina (Russia/Arizona)

Polina was a member of the Volunteerism for Pride Club in Mountain View High School and participated in many volunteer events, including: 1) “Share Backpacks” where backpacks filled with school supplies were prepared for Phoenix area disadvantaged school kids, 2) “Barktoberfest” fundraiser for local animal shelters, 3) High School Homecoming Committee, 4) “Paz de Cristo” fundraiser with the local church to prepare and serve food to homeless residents, 5) volunteer at the FBR Gold Tournament, 6) volunteer at the Evergreen Nursing Home, 7) volunteer at the Cactus League Triatholon, and 6) participated in the “Race for a Cure” to raise funds for breast cancer research.

4. CROSS-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Winner: Elena Leitman (Belarus/New Mexico)

Elena prepared and made over 30 presentations about Belarus in her host community of Alamogordo, New Mexico. One of the presentations was to the military at the U.S. Air Force Base in Alamogordo.

5. ENTREPRENUERSHIP/BUSINESS

Winner: Pavel Porysev (Russia/Texas)

Pavel raised, exhibited and sold a total of 2 lambs, 1 goat and 5 pigs as a part of his FFA project at Snyder High School. He exhibited the breed champion Chester pig at a Texas fair and turned his initial investment into $1,200.00.

6. BEST PHOTO

Winner: Yulduz Yakubova (Uzbekistan/Iowa)

Yulduz is pictured here donating her hair to “Locks of Love” for kids with cancer.

Award winners received a CD/MP3 Player. The best photo winner received a camera.