Pro debater, Model-UN powerhouse, and “Best Speaker” at the Asia Youth Summit. What do all of these things have in common? They all describe Charlisa Penzak.
Wylie E. Groves high school junior, Charlisa Penzak recently competed at the Asia Youth Summit in Bangkok Thailand. This conference program aims for its wide-range of attendees to gain global networking connections, valuable experience, new skills, and personal growth. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at the conference, Penzak earned overall “Best Speaker,” and her group won “Best Project” awards. This is especially impressive since only three awards are presented over the entirety of the conference.
Penzak had to apply to the summit by submitting an essay on economic reintegration. She chose to write about “policy recommendations that would help refugees and displaced people find socio-economic stability,” since her mother “used to work for a nonprofit assisting Burmese refugees in Thailand.”
Once accepted, she had to receive the green light from her parents to travel alone over 10,000 miles across the globe. With a lot of convincing her parents agreed to let her travel the 20+ hour flight from Michigan to Thailand. The only condition was that she had to stay with her mother’s college friend, who lived right near the conference.”
Leading up to the summit, Penzak spent numerous hours writing and preparing material with various deadlines. Although it was a team submission, she did most of the heavy lifting by writing drafts and incorporating input from the other team members into the final entry.
Having worked so hard and prepared so much of the material, her parents were not surprised she won so many awards.
“She has participated in various speaking competitions since grade five, so she definitely leveraged those research and speaking skills,” her father Jason Penzak said.
Charlisa was surprised to find out how much younger she was compared to her fellow group members. She was even asked if she is majoring in Economics or Politics in college, when in reality she had just finished up her sophomore year of high school.
“(I enjoyed) committee sessions and engaging in collaborative debates with the other delegates to address a variety of issues, including human rights, international relations and economic policy,” Charlisa said.
Her team presented on “the viability of public work programs” being utilized as a tool to help people overcome poverty and decrease inequality. The junior believes “experience in debate, Model-UN, and forensic equipped her with the skills to be successful.”
Penzak “learned a lot more about her country and Thailand, and reinforced her passion for international relations and politics.” Being in a leadership role in a diverse group taught her a lot about “communication, collaboration, and the importance of listening to different perspectives.” It also helped her “grow in confidence, knowing that she could contribute meaningfully in an environment with older, more experienced peers.”
After long days at the conference, Penzak spent lots of time with her host family. Penzaks’ “host family treated her like another daughter–from helping her find traditional Thai wear, to driving her to and from the event every day.” The host family left a permanent mark on Penzak since “she only spoke Thai with them and really became immersed in the culture.” Penzak is “forever grateful for their generosity and warm hearts….”friendships she made with the other students who attended the summit.” More important than the awards and recognition, the friendships, connections and experiences she gained will last her a lifetime.”
