Thursday, January 21, 2010

Clements Sponsors Award for Foreign Service Youth

Every year, the Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) organizes a series of contests for Foreign Service youth. The contests offer U.S. Foreign Service kids and teens the opportunity to showcase their talents, accomplishments and unique perspectives on the world. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition at the annual youth awards ceremony at the Department of State in July.

Clements International sponsors the Community Service Award, which honors U.S. Foreign Service youth who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer efforts at home or abroad while facing the challenges of living an internationally mobile lifestyle.

Two winners will each receive a $1,500 U.S. savings bond.

Click here for complete contest rules and nomination forms.

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Clements Applauds FSYF Award Winners

As part of Clements International’s ongoing community involvement, the company sponsored the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Community Service Awards once again this year. The awards honor outstanding U.S. Foreign Service youth who have served their community either at home or abroad while tackling the challenges of growing up all over the world.

The contest was open to all U.S. Foreign Service youth and teens, and the winners were honored on Friday, July 17 at an awards ceremony at the U.S. Department of State, hosted by the Foreign Liaison Office. Two first place winners each received a $1,500 savings bond. Vice President Tom Lentz attended the ceremony to honor this year’s recipients:

Cristin Middaug, age 16, was selected for her support of the Pichincha School of Morochos, Ecuador. Cristin’s parents are currently posted in Quito. She recently completed the 11th grade at the Academia Cotopaxi. Her project began in December 2007, when she chose to sponsor the Pichincha School instead of receiving Christmas presents. One year later, support for the school had increased dramatically, due in part to many Embassy community members. Cristin also serves as president of the National Honor Society, plays soccer and volleyball, and participates in the Model United Nations.

Sean Titus, age 13, was selected for his water well-building project in the village of Santa Emilia, El Salvador. Sean’s parents are currently posted to San Salvador. He recently completed the 8th grade at the Academia Británica Cuscatleca. His project began as a Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for “repairing the world”) as part of his Bar Mitzvah and culminated with the inauguration of a well on March 26, 2009. Sean is also an Honor Roll student, an active member of the Boy Scouts, and plays basketball, tennis and cricket.

Maryam Ahson, age 14, was awarded an honorable mention for her “Fabric NOT Plastic” campaign in Beijing, China. Maryam’s parents are currently posted to Cairo, Egypt. She recently completed the 8th grade at Cairo American College. Maryam also swims, plays team volleyball and loves dolphins. In addition to this recognition, she won a speechwriting competition sponsored by the Wyland Foundation.

Clements congratulates these outstanding expat youth!

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Congratulations from Clements!

Congratulations to Juliana (Lily) Hightower of the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, the 2009 recipient of the M. Juanita Guess Award. The M. Juanita Guess Award is conferred on a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, initiative or imagination in assisting the families of Americans serving at an overseas post.

Hightower is credited with significant improvement in post morale due to her responsiveness, dedication and commitment. She helped foster greater social consciousness among Embassy members about the challenges in Ethiopia by arranging tours to many of the country’s cultural and historic sites, in addition to organizing volunteer and study programs. Hightower also worked closely with the medical unit on important health issues and provided medical assistance to embassy members.

“She is the most important focal point in the mission, indispensable… touching so many lives and helping so many people handle so many difficulties and cope with the extreme rigors of living in Ethiopia,” said the U.S. Ambassador who nominated her for the award.

This award was established in memory of M. Juanita Guess, former President of Clements International, and is one of several presented annually by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). The runners-up were Michelle Destito, U.S. Embassy Ankara, and Mary Knight, U.S. Embassy Beirut.

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