FARMER’S KORNER — Not only did Summit High School International Club students recently win two top places in a state-wide competition, but they also will be helping about 1,000 children in the world get vaccinations.

The 15 students, who range from freshman to seniors, competed this month in the 2008 World Affairs Challenge at the University of Denver, taking first place for their Formal Presentation and third in the Collaborative Question category. This is the first year a SHS team has competed and the juniors and seniors who took part qualify for four-year, half-paid tuition at the university.

“The judges were just so impressed with them,” said María Carrión-Kozak, SHS Spanish teacher who is the sponsor of the club.

The students’ presentation focused on the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccines, and before competing, they held a vaccine clinic with the help of Summit County Public Health. At the clinic, they raised $460 that will go to UNICEF International Immunization Program, where for every $1 donated, two children can get vaccinated in a developing country, explained Carrión-Kozak.
And they are still hoping to raise more before the end of the month.

The SHS students involved include: Chris Gabrels and Crista Smith, co-presidents, Lizzy Shay and Catherine Scanlan, co-vice presidents, Elise Scanlan, secretary, and members Maria Alarcón, Holly Atkinson, Martin Galarza Lanas, Spencer Herbert, Olivia Johnson, Henry Martínez, Malissa Szmyd, Kali Turrin, Nancy Valencia and Stuart Van Der kooi. Also, Yanek Carrión-Kozak, a fifth-grader Dillon Valley Elementary, was a guest performer in the presentation.

The World Affairs Challenge is a yearly competition, emphasizing global issues that is open to middle and high school students throughout the state. For the event, the International Club students put together a presentation they worked on for a few months that included a skit, video and debate of TDaP and DTaP vaccination pros and cons.

<i>Lory Pounder can be reached at (970) 668-4628, or at lpounder@summitdaily.com.</i>

The International Club will continue to accept donations for the UNICEF International Immunization Program through March 31. Anyone interested in helping, can contact Maria Carrión-Kozak at Summit High School, 547-9311, ext. 1309 or CKMaria@summit.k12.co.us. Checks can be made out to Summit High School with for UNICEF written in the memo.