Center for Entrepreneurial & Global Studies News

Jeff Park '15 headed for Rwanda

Before he started the school year at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Jeff Park ’15 knew very little about Rwanda.

Now, after a year in the Global Studies course and listening to a guest lecturer at WMA, Jeff is headed to Rwanda in hopes of making a difference.

Jeff started to learn about Rwanda during his Global Studies class with Mrs. Gayle Hsiao during the second trimester. The biggest motivator, though, came in January when Jeff participated in a Center for Entrepreneurial and Global Studies workshop on campus with Boston University professor Carl Hobert.

“We learned what happened in Rwanda, with the massacre. That was interesting,” Jeff said. “When Mr. Hobert was ending his talk about Rwanda, he told us about community service in Rwanda. He said he had a group called Axis of Hope and he wanted people to come and help.”

After the lecture, Jeff talked to Mr. Hobert, learned more about Axis of Hope, and decided he wanted to go to Rwanda.

“I wanted to go to a place I knew about and a place where I know what’s happening. Rwanda seemed like a perfect place,” Jeff said. “Mr. Hobert showed me the pictures of what’s going on in Rwanda. Rwanda is a country that really needs help. With two weeks of contribution, I think I can help them.”

Jeff will begin his community service trip in Rwanda June 27. He’ll spend two weeks working in an orphanage teaching math and English, and he’ll also help with any sort of construction work. He’s scheduled to meet the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

“After the lecture, I got on google and searched for more information about Rwanda,” Jeff said. “I thought two weeks of experience there could change my whole life.”

Middle School student kicks off soccer non-profit

Wilbraham & Monson Academy student and longtime soccer player Gianna Mitchell ’17 has been kicking around the idea of giving back to the sport she loves for some time now. When she heard WMA’s Chris Sparks had a connection with Haiti and learned about the country’s need for proper soccer equipment, she ran with the ball.

Many children in Haiti grow up playing soccer but often do not have the proper equipment. They even play barefoot. “I connected with a Haitian soccer coach through email and he said anything would help,” Gianna explained. “Cleats, shin guards, uniforms and especially soccer balls are needed.”

Gianna’s family is assisting in getting her non-profit, Two-Six for Kicks, off the ground. The state has approved her non-profit status and now they are waiting for Federal approval. Also, a logo and website are in the works.

“I have a collection bin at home and we’re working on getting bins at some local stores,” she said. Currently there are two collection bins on the WMA campus: one in Rich Hall and one in the Athletic Center. Over the summer, the public will be able to make donations using the bin in Rich Hall. 

Once the collection bins are full, the equipment will be packaged up and sent to Haiti.  To help subsidize the cost of shipping, which is about $180 per shipment, Gianna is working as a soccer referee. 

Being a part of this entrepreneurial-thinking community and seeing first-hand the commitment the Academy has to service, Gianna was inspired. “I’ve participated in some school-sponsored community service events, like going to the soup kitchen, but I just felt like I wanted to do something personally,” Gianna explained. “I felt the need to make my mark.”

Why “Two-Six” for Kicks? “Two-Six comes from my jersey number 26,” Gianna explained. “That was my dad’s number in college and I was born on the 26th. My number has always been 26 for as long as I can remember! 

“I share the love for soccer with them [people of Haiti] so much and I wouldn’t want someone to have to risk getting injured in order to play because they don’t have shin guards and cleats,” Gianna expressed. “We have so much of it here, it just makes sense to help them.”

A Global Discussion with Kasper Moghaddam '86

WMAction had a global dialogue with Kasper Moghaddam '86 across over 6,000 miles of distance.

Commander Kasper Moghaddam '86 is a Staff Director for the intelligence directive for the U.S. Naval Forces in Japan. He maintains and encourages a robust relationship between the United States and Japan.

Kasper talked to WMAction about global responsibility, cultural differences and the importance of passion in our lives. The students were encouraged to ask questions, the discussion that resulted was inspired.

Kasper told the students that "the best thing I can tell you is to go with your gut. If it feels good do it." We hope to continue an active partnership with Kasper and other alumni who are willing to share their stories with students eager to listen.

Blocks Rock! Launches iPhone & iPad Application

Blocks Rock! for the iPhone and iPad is now available for download on iTunes. The game continues to evolve with new technology and innovative students.

Blocks Rock! was invented by WMA Middle School students. Upper School students developed the game's marketing and production as part of their Entrepreneurship class. Finally, through the financial backing of a WMA alumnus, the game was taken to the next level for wider distribution and mobile app development.

Features of Blocks Rock! include:

• Educate and entertain with three levels of difficulty: multiplayer, solo and free play
• Choose from a variety of backgrounds with upgrades available for purchase
• Play with friends locally or from anywhere around the world
• Apply your imagination and create your own design in the free play mode

WMA Blocks Rock! Days

As part of the launch, WMA will host a Blocks Rock! tournament May 16 and 17.

Thursday, May 16

L1 10:20-11:25 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

L2 11:30-12:35 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

L3 12:40-1:45 • Presentation and t-shirt giveaway at sit-down lunch

Friday, May 17

A 8:50 – 9:35 • Skye Entrepreneurship class visit

B 10:05-10:50 • Skye Entrepreneurship class visit

L1 10:55-11:40 • Skye Honors Stocks class visit

C 1:25 – 2:10 • Blocks Rock Table-Top Tournament for Gr. 8D in Spa

D 2:15 – 3:00 • Blocks Rock Table-Top Tournament for Gr. 8C in Spa

Footage and photos from the tournament will be used on the official Blocks Rock! website and on social media. Ready to rock?

Learn more about Blocks Rock! online:

Web

Facebook 

Twitter

Students at WMA ignite their entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirits with one inspired (and delicious) project.

On Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. students will be selling dumplings to hungry patrons at The Taste of Wilbraham held on WMA’s campus. The dumplings are being made and sold by the Social Entrepreneurship Class who decided to help The Yunnan Ethnic Minority School Project (YEMS), raise money for this summer's trip.

YEMS, founded by Mengdie Melody Liu '12, is a cross-cultural volunteer program. The volunteers have the opportunity to teach and inspire students in an under-privileged village in Yunnan Province, China through games, stories and cross-cultural exchanges. The underlying purpose is to give the children of Yunnan Province hope.

Though the students selling dumplings are not going to Yunnan themselves (with the exception of Irene Gao '14), they see the importance of supporting a global and charitable mission.

Cari Manghan ’13 explains they will be selling them directly to the WMA community as well. “We are also taking orders from faculty and staff, and we hope to sell more dumplings on Friday, May 10 during lunch periods.”

Prices for dumplings are $5 for eight dumplings with the exception of the pork & shrimp, which are $6 for eight. Other varieties include chicken & scallions, pork & corn, pork & leak, vegetarian and turkey & kale.