By: Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission East received the Amigos de las Américas Global Citizenship Award.
This award is given to schools that have met and exceeded the following criteria:
- Demonstrates a commitment to service, youth leadership and global competency
- Demonstrates a commitment to Spanish language acquisition
- Has students who successfully complete the AMIGOS program
Erin Aucar, AMIGOS national outreach manager, and Carol Swezy, AMIGOS Kansas City Chapter recruitment coordinator, visited SM East to present the award.
“Shawnee Mission East is being recognized with the Amigos de las Américas Global Citizenship Award because of their demonstrated commitment to global service learning, Spanish instruction, and also for having incredible students who have been successful in our program,” Aucar said.
Dane Erickson, SM East senior, is among the students at SM East who participated in the program. Last summer Erickson spent two weeks in a rural community in Paraguay with a host family.
“I think AMIGOS presents a phenomenal opportunity to explore a Latin American country, and I loved going to Paraguay because it was such a different experience,” Erikson said.
AMIGOS works with schools across the country to provide opportunities to more than 500 young people each year. Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission South also have had students who participate in the AMIGOS summer program.
