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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 23, 2008 - 11 Local students lead at home and abroad By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER They are leaders at their high schools and for two weeks, they went to Europe to become global leaders -- pushing for United Nation-like resolutions, practicing diplomacy skills and representing global commissions. Morgan MacInnes, Quinn Durrant, Louis Progosh and Stephanie Fox, are four Oakville students, selected to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference, which saw 393 student scholars from 44 nations, come together, in Europe, to take their leadership to a global level. Once in Europe, the scholars were assigned to represent different countries throughout the world. MacInnes represented Indonesia, Quinn, France, and Progosh, Bolivia. In their nation groups, the participants had to come up with a resolution on a global pandemic -- the avian flu. "They ran different simulations... and then representatives from all the different nation groups would try to come up with a resolution on it. But each nation had a different agenda," said MacInnes. "It was particularly challenging for Indonesia, seeing that we were the ones with the bird flu," he said. As for France, Durrant admits the country didn't have to do much. "We just had the money and we just gave it out," he laughed. Nation representatives were also assigned to different commissions. Progosh and Durrant were assigned to the Health Commission. "We talked about world health issues, WHO (World Health Organization) and how to deal with global health pandemics," said Progosh. The students travelled to Vienna, Budapest and Prague, to fulfill their political and leadership duties. Yet, their journey as young leaders began here, in their hometown, in Oakville. The three boys, MacInnes, Durrant and Progosh are all Grade 11 students at T.A. Blakelock. In late December, they were called to Stuart Miller's office, the former principal of the high school. There, Miller told them he had nominated them to attend the GYLC because of the impact they have had on the school. MacInnes is a member of the school's Reach for the Top game show team, which competes against schools in Halton. Blakelock won top at Halton this year. Durrant is a member of the school's World Council, and Progosh was captain for the junior football and rugby teams. "Miller said, you guys were leaders at the school, so I'm nominating you so you can develop your leadership at a wider scale," said Progosh. SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER LEARNING DIPLOMACY: From left, T.A. Blakelock High School students Morgan MacInnes, Quinn Durrant and Louis Progosh await their flight to Vienna, as they headed to the Global Young Leaders Conference. Stephanie Fox, a graduate of Oakville Trafalgar High School, also attended the conference. Similarly, Stephanie Fox, from Oakville Trafalgar High School is well recognized for her leadership skills. She was nominated by one of her teachers, in September. "She was absolutely ecstatic and thrilled," said Stephanie's mom, Dr. Joanne Fox. "She was just over the moon happy." "I'm very proud to have such a wonderful child," said Dr. Fox. According to Dr. Fox, Stephanie's leadership initiatives include her involvement with the student council, ski team, rugby team and the Relay for Life. Stephanie's visit to Europe is extended, as her mom will be joining her there for two weeks. All the students came out of the conference with an even stronger sense of leadership potential. "The hardest thing about that was that you couldn't get your personal beliefs caught up, because you're supposed to be role playing your country," MacInnes noted. "You have to think exactly like how your country would. It was hard because I wanted it to go a certain way, but the research I had to read said I couldn't think like that," said Progosh. The students were all given briefings and de-briefings about the nations they were representing in order to push for the most beneficial commission resolutions. The three Blakelock students explained once a resolution was drafted, it was put forward for the global summit. "It was a good inside look at how diplomats work at a world stage...because everyone's got a different opinion and you have to respect other people's cultures in their countries and the way their government works," Progosh said. They all agreed one of the most enjoyable aspects was meeting people from all over the world. "You're always kinda busy talking to the new person from Dubai or Singapore. It's such a great cultural experience. You get to meet people from pretty much every corner of the globe. You get to meet people from Columbia, the UAE, China, Singapore, Finland," said MacInnes. The students were also invited to attend the Congressional Youth Leadership Council's Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC), which takes place every four years in January following the United States presidential election. The PYIC provides scholars with the opportunity to take part in the ceremony of the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States. Progosh and Durrant plan to attend this conference scheduled to take place in January. For more information, visit, http://www.cylc.org/gylc/. Only available at Hyundai of Oakville DON' T WORRY, BE HAPPY WITH A FREE CARRIBEAN CRUISE! 8-day CARRIBEAN Cruise for two, including airflight, transportation and taxes* with EVERY purchase of a 2008 Sonata. 2008 SONATA Cash Purchase Discount $ $5,150 GAS PRICE S GOT YOU DOWN? 5,900 + $750 loyalty** FREE! 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