Montana World Affairs Council

*Bozeman* Join us February 7 for a trivia competition of global proportions! Tickets ? https://lnkd.in/eqWzGXmf Christopher "Kit" Heffner Jason Smith Ryan Anderson Don Cape Cynthia Mulder Nikki Geiszler

Spotted: #EconoQuest winning Lockwood High School team on KTVQ Billings Scripps Montana/MTN Watch here ?

We recently hosted our 3rd annual?EconoQuest?at Montana State University, where 200 high school students attended from 17 schools across the state. The 2024?EconoQuest?champions are three young women from Lockwood High School. In addition to their first place medals for their project on the semiconductor industry, the Lockwood seniors received tuition scholarships from Montana State University and?a two-week all-expenses paid trip to India gifted by Consul General Gupta of India in Seattle. Our "Why" is clear. One of the winning students shared the following after the conference, "I just want?to say thank you so much for everything. The scholarships alone are a huge deal, but finding out about India was a whole other level. I wish Mr. Hardt had recorded us when we found out -- our jaws were on the floor! We are all so insanely excited and grateful, and we couldn't have done any of it without the work of the World Affairs Council! I really want to get more people at our school interested in doing?EconoQuest?and WorldQuest,?it's shaped what I want to do with my future?and I've had so much fun doing it!" While scholarship money and world travel are significant and should be celebrated(!), at the heart of?EconoQuest, our goal to connect students with industry and government leaders. We aim to introduce exciting career opportunities to the next generation, reinforce the importance of academic achievement and help students develop their soft skills. Harlem High School Teacher Wendy Plumage-Maratita shared, "Taking my students to?EconoQuest?has opened my eyes as a teacher to how powerful the skills at this event help students. Not only in school but in their future lives.?To know about jobs in Montana and to meet leaders and CEO's of these businesses is an opportunity to help grow our future Montana economy." Lockwood High School Teacher Steven Hardt, "By opening doors to Montana's industries, we're not only showing students potential careers, we're building bridges between education and opportunity.?Every connection made is a step towards a stronger, more vibrant future for our state and its young workforce." EconoQuest?would not be possible without the tremendous support from our partners at Montana Department of Commerce, Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, Museum of the Rockies, Blackfoot Communications, Montana World Trade Center, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Chamber of Commerce, and Montana State University-Bozeman. Finally,?thank you to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation?and the many sponsors who helped us not only put on a three-day conference free of charge to students, but additionally raise nearly $30,000 to cover transportation, lodging, and substitute teachers so traveling rural, title 1, and tribal schools could attend regardless of budget restrictions.?

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany San Francisco Oliver Schramm spoke (German!) with high school students this morning. ???? Last night, Oliver led an engaging discussion with community leaders. The Montana World Affairs Council offers unique programming that directly funds local education. Community at its best! ??

The winning team with their new tumblers! Thank you to Blackfoot Communications for supporting 2024 #Econoquest and to Kina Jo Kuhn for volunteering at the event!

We look forward to hosting ???? German Consulate General San Francisco's Oliver Schramm THIS WEDNESDAY in Bozeman as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series!

2024 EconoQuest is in full swing with 200 high school students participating!

Thanks to TrailWest Bank for sponsoring the 2024 #econoquest!

Thank you to James Easton for representing the @montanachamber at 2024 #econoquest!

Thank you to Montana State University-Bozeman's Office of the President and Montana Manufacturing Extension Center! We will see everyone at #econoquest 2024 at MSU next week!