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Wandsworth Student Wins Official Study Trip to U.S.

Wandsworth Student Wins Official Study Trip to United States

29 March 2010



Priscilla Mensah’s eyes widened and she gasped as she heard her name announced before an audience of fellow students.

The student from Wandsworth’s Burntwood School had just won the first prize for a speech on citizenship she had delivered at a March 24th debate competition hosted by the U.S. Embassy.  

“This was the most amazing experience…to come to the U.S. Embassy and to practice speaking publically.  I just can’t believe I won,” said Priscilla after the competition.  “I’m so thankful and grateful for this entire experience.”

In her debate presentation, Priscilla used the story of her Ghanaian parents’ journey to the UK to illustrate points about global and traditional citizenship.  A three-person judges panel scored her presentation the highest.  Kerry McDonald of Ashcroft Academy was selected as the runner-up.

“Priscilla impressed us with her confidence and clear expression,” said Sandra Kaiser, public affairs officer at the U.S. embassy and one of the judges.  “She held the attention of everyone in the room.” 

Twenty-one students from Saint Cecilia’s School, Ashcroft Academy and Burntwood School participated in the lively discussion on the nature of citizenship. David Gibbs, a teacher from Burntwood School, encouraged his students to participate in the debate.

This summer, Priscilla will travel to the United States to participate in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute, a U.S. State Department-sponsored program at Wake Forest University that encourages students to explore global issues.

Priscilla will be one of thirty European and Eurasian and ten American teenagers to learn about democratic practices, volunteer service, conflict resolution, critical thinking, tolerance, respect for diversity and youth leadership in this month-long program.    

The debate was coordinated by the Benjamin Franklin House, to encourage students to explore and advocate a position in the spirit of Ben Franklin.   http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/