Seventeen students from Skyline College, Cañada College, and College of San Mateo were awarded a total of $33,000 from the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The program is committed to reshaping study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive for students who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise participate. Its goal is to increase opportunities to live and learn abroad while building mutual intercultural understanding between students and their host communities.

For this last application cycle (Cycle 1), 30 SMCCCD students applied, and 17 students were awarded the scholarship—an award rate of 57%. The list of all colleges and universities awarded the Gilman Scholarship is listed on the Gilman Scholarship website. Cycle 2 will open in mid-January 2020 for applicants whose programs start from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. This cycle encompasses Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Academic Year 2020-2021, and Spring 2021 programs.

Students were alerted of this scholarship opportunity by the SMCCCD Study Abroad Office. Director of Special International Programs, Zaid Ghori, and Study Abroad Program Services Coordinator, Stephanie Wells, worked to promote this scholarship opportunity and to assist interested students with the application process. We would like to thank the Skyline College Financial Aid office—Jenny Yang and Patricia Flores— for working with students to confirm their eligibility for the Gilman Scholarship, as well as the Skyline College, Cañada College and College of San Mateo staff and faculty who also helped spread the word to students about this opportunity.

SMCCCD Study Abroad is the district-wide study abroad program housed in the Global Learning Programs and Services Division at Skyline College.  For more information about studying or interning abroad, faculty teach abroad opportunities, community travel for lifelong learners, visiting international faculty presenters and student scholarship opportunities, please contact Zaid Ghori at ghoriz@smccd.edu or (650) 738-7088 or Stephanie Wells at wellss@smccd.edu. You can also learn more by visiting the SMCCD Study Abroad Facebook page or Instagram page @smcccd_study_abroad.

Article and Photo by Stephanie Wells

On November 22 – 24, 2019, Skyline College’s Forensic team competed in the Valley to Valley tournament that spanned over the course of three consecutive days. 18 schools from across the Bay Area, Southern California and Illinois participated in the second inaugural tournament held at Diablo Valley College. Students had the opportunity to showcase talents in over 15 different categories of speech and debate events.

On Friday, November 22, Trojans competed in individual debate (IPDA). All three students (pictured right) who entered in this event advanced to final rounds. Joedel Penaranda competed in five rounds of IPDA ultimately earning him a Bronze medal. Dianne Argueta and Isabella Perez competed in six back-to-back rounds over the span of eight hours, finishing the tournament both earning silver awards. Participating in debate at this level of competition not only takes knowledge and technical skills but endurance!

On Sunday, November 24, five students (pictured left): Angelo Castillo-Canelo, Bernadette Noonan, Ariana Padilla, Joedel Penaranda, and Eduardo Unisa competed in individual events (speech events). Ariana Padilla, a middle college student, advanced to finals in Novice Prose, placing sixth place overall!

If you are interested in joining the speech and debate team consider enrolling in COMM 172: Forensics. You do not need to be a Communication Studies major to enroll and participate. All skill levels and experience is welcome! If you have any questions about joining the team, contact Director of Forensics, Lindsey Ayotte at ayottel@smccd.edu and (650)738-4276.

Article and Photos by Lindsey Ayotte