Global Education Week (GEW) at Upper St. Clair High School is a vibrant and internationally focused week during the fall semester. The week aims to raise awareness of different cultures, histories, and global events. Despite a lull in student activities during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s GEW marked a tremendous success, surpassing the previous year in speakers, activities, and participation. The collaborative efforts of dedicated students, supportive staff, and inspiration from other schools, notably Montour High School, contributed to this accomplishment.
“The traditions we’ve begun to establish are not only important, they are essential to a school culture,” declared Doug Kirchner, a teacher, Social Studies Curriculum Leader, and part of the Global Education Week Planning Committee. “Global Education Week has taken on new life in the last couple of years. We are incredibly grateful to get the chance to offer academic experiences based on intercultural and global awareness.”
The festivities commence with the “Kick-Off Parade” at the beginning of the week, featuring clubs trekking across the school, spreading candy and good cheer. The first day includes assemblies honoring Veteran’s Day and focusing on the week’s theme, “Express Your Humanity,” inspired by the Violins of Hope, an exposition intertwining history and music related to the Holocaust.
“Express Your Humanity” encapsulates the spirit of this year’s GEW, featuring events chosen to highlight brief glimpses of humanity, expression, and hope during one of the world’s darkest times. Ashe Sobel-Drum, another member of the Planning Committee, noted, “In general, the planning for this week was much more in-depth and well thought-out this year because we started planning early last year. With the wider range of people involved in the committee, everyone did very well in their respective fields, which worked well in our favor.”
Throughout the week, students are treated to thematic videos from World Language teachers, showcasing diverse cultures. Speakers, discussion panels, film screenings, and student participation opportunities abound, including a student panel on living abroad and the unique “Human Library,” where students and staff act as “books” to share cultural experiences.
“There were so many incredible, diverse speakers this year, and it was crazy to see and hear everyone’s stories, just by default of having gone to school that day, by going to this school,” emphasized Natalie Campagna, a student involved in the execution of GEW. “Everyone was so well-spoken, and it was so enriching—and for so many students!”
The Global Trivia Bowl, a traditional event, adds an element of fun with a charitable twist. Despite the Week’s evident success, Mr. Kirchner expressed the need for additional change and growth, stating, “We had a number of upperclassmen who served as student leaders, many of them seniors. We are going to need a willing and committed group of current juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen to step up and help carry on the traditions we’ve started and help continue to build on what we’ve established.”
The pinnacle of the week is the final day, attended by students from other schools. Featuring a Keynote Speaker, team-building activities, and the Global Talent Show, the day culminates in the Global Awareness Fair. Clubs set up booths, offering food, fundraising, and presentations about their organizations. Students also package donations collected during the week for the South Hills Interfaith Movement.
“Global Education Week is important to the Upper St. Clair Community,” noted Campagna. “It provides us with different perspectives and global enrichment. It helps keep us up to date on current international issues and events. For those familiar with these topics, it’s a chance to engage in a new way. For those more unfamiliar with them, it’s a chance to learn.”
As preparations are already underway for the next GEW, the enthusiasm and support for this event continue to grow. Global Education Week not only enriches the Upper St. Clair community with diverse perspectives but also fosters a sense of shared humanity and camaraderie. The week’s success is a testament to the collaborative spirit at USCHS, creating an impactful and memorable experience for everyone involved. Mr. Kirchner expressed his hopes for the effect GEW had on the school, capturing the very essence of its purpose: “I hope when students see their peers in the hallway, especially
those they don’t know well, that they remember that everyone has a unique story
to share and a heritage they can be proud of. I hope they remember the lessons
they learned from the assemblies, speakers, documentaries, and performances.
The world is much bigger and complex than the screens right in front of us. I
hope this year’s Global Education Week inspired everyone to express their humanity.”