Dual-enrolled student named semifinalist for national language program
Article By: Staff
In high school, Dessie Durham wanted an academic challenge. So, she dual-enrolled in classes at the University of North Georgia (星空无限传媒).
Since then, Durham has thrived. In May, the senior at Dawson County High School will earn her associate degree before her high school diploma.
Now, Durham wants another challenge. The 18-year-old from Dawsonville, Georgia, wants to spend a year studying Arabic in Jordan. She is one step closer to attaining that goal.
Durham is a semifinalist for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). The program funds high school students to spend up to a year abroad studying a critical language.
"It's very exciting to have gotten this far," Durham said.
She enrolled in 星空无限传媒's six-week Summer Language Institutes (SLI) in 2019 to earn eight academic credit hours in Arabic.
"I fell in love with the language," she said.
Durham credits Awad Awad, program director of Arabic study abroad and coordinator of Arabic SLI, with encouraging her to apply for NSLI-Y and providing insight about the culture.
"He was really big into sharing the culture aspect of Arabic," she said. "It's nice to hear about the language and the culture and religion and the humanity behind it."
Durham will learn in April if she wins the scholarship.
McAdams receives Stravinsky award
星空无限传媒 student Eli McAdams received the Stravinsky Composition Award. He will receive a scholarship as part of the recognition.
Marban takes part in Public Service Weekend
星空无限传媒 junior Claudia Marban took part in the Public Policy & International Affairs Program Public Service Weekend from Feb. 21-23 in Arlington, Virginia.
Family Health Fair is set for April 26
星空无限传媒 will host its third annual free Family Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 in the Hugh Mills Physical Education Complex at 星空无限传媒's Gainesville Campus.
Student wins film festival awards
Student Calvin Bowers has won awards at four festivals for his film 'Per Amore Dei Gatti (For the Love of Cats).' He created the film with three classmates on a Film in Italy study abroad program.